Mendez and Sanchez - Bus Accident Attorney in Monterey Park, California

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Have You Been Injured in a Bus Crash?

Buses are a common site throughout California. Hundreds of thousands of passengers use buses annually to get from place to place. Some buses offer local transportation around a city and service commercial districts, while others use buses as their way to commute to and from work. Still others decide to ride on a bus as they travel out of state to see family or friends. Whatever the reason, California residents are boarding buses in large numbers every year and that is a pattern that is expected to continue in the coming decades.

The majority of these citizens travel safely while aboard these buses but unfortunately, many suffer injuries every year in California bus accidents. Commonly these injuries are very severe, in part because passengers do not wear seat belts while riding on most buses. With many bus companies servicing Monterey Park and California as a whole, it may not be surprising that these bus accidents account for many injuries each year and unfortunately some might result in death. If you suffer an injury, make sure to speak with a Monterey Park bus accident lawyer ASAP.

What Are Some of the Common Causes of Bus Crashes?

Bus drivers encounter many of the same challenges as any driver, in addition to a few other unique issues. Some common causes of bus crashes include:

• Driver distraction-- Motorists who pay more attention to their phones or various other electronic devices are much more prone to collisions. Due to the amount of occupants on buses, bus drivers also are more susceptible to passenger distractions than somebody operating a car.
• Driver fatigue-- Much like a truck driver, bus drivers have a schedule to meet. This frequently means they work long hours without taking adequate breaks. The loud environment of a bus can also wear on a driver.
• Speeding-- To make their scheduled stops, drivers may ignore speed limits or road conditions due to inclement weather.
• Vehicle maintenance-- A poorly maintained bus can crash due to a failing part.
• Insufficient training-- Too often, drivers do not have proper training on the safest practices for operating a bus. The absence of training or inadequate training can lead to a driver error that can cause a crash.

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What Injuries Are Prevalent in Bus Accidents?

As with any type of accident on Monterey Park roadways, the injuries from a bus crash can partially depend on the speed of travel and the size of the other vehicle or vehicles in the crash.

The most common injuries include:

• Fractures (broken bones) that require surgical repair
• Head and brain injuries
• Back and neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Scars and lacerations
• Wrongful Death

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What Legal Rights Are Available to a Bus Crash Victim?

As a bus crash victim, the law may provide you several civil claims to pursue. The cases available will rely on the circumstances of a specific accident and who is at fault in the accident.

At-Fault Third Parties

If another driver causes a crash with a bus while you are an occupant on that bus, you may have a claim against the other motorist for your injuries. If the other driver does not have enough insurance coverage available for all of the injuries sustained in the accident or if the other driver has no insurance available at all, you might also have a right to bring an uninsured or underinsured claim against your own insurance provider or the bus company itself, if there is UM coverage available.

At-Fault Bus Driver

On the other hand, if the accident is because of a negligent bus driver and you were either a bus passenger or in another vehicle, you might have a claim against the bus driver and the bus company. This is true even if the bus owner is a municipality, like a city bus used for public transportation.

Safety Defects on a Bus

Finally, if the accident is caused by some defect in the bus itself and not by actions of any drivers, you may have a claim against the:

• manufacturer of the bus
• seller of the bus
• owner/operator of the bus
• anybody that performed negligent maintenance while servicing the bus

Any bus driver who is hurt in a collision might also have a claim for worker's compensation for their injuries.

The possibility of so many claims makes a bus accident case complicated and complex. Typically the more vehicles involved in the accident, the more complicated the case( s). This is a reason that when choosing a bus accident attorney in Monterey Park, you want to choose one with experience prosecuting personal injury cases.

Bus Accident Lawyer in Monterey Park - Mendez and Sanchez APC

You might be shaken and in a state of shock after being involved in a bus crash. But there are a few important things that you should do before leaving the scene.

• Call 911
• Get witness information
• Seek medical care
• Call a bus crash attorney

How Much Can I Recover Financially After a Bus Accident?

The amount of money you might receive following a bus accident will depend a great deal on the seriousness of your injuries. In general, you might recoup the costs of your:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship
• Lost earning ability
• Damages caused by permanent disability or disfigurement

Families who have lost a loved one in a Monterey Park bus crash can also collect for any care their loved one received before passing away along with compensation for funeral and burial costs, loss of companionship, and various other damages. Talk to an experienced Monterey Park bus crash attorney to learn all of your options.

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Have You Been Injured in a Monterey Park Bus Accident?

The Monterey Park bus crash lawyers at Mendez & Sanchez will strive to help you receive the financial recovery that you are entitled to. Bus accident damages may include: medical costs, disfigurement, pain and suffering, loss of normal life, loss of income, and more. We additionally seek to recuperate present and future expenses when defending a crash victim.

OUR MONTEREY PARK PERSONAL INJURY AND BUS ACCIDENT  LAWYERS ARE AVAILABLE 24-HOUR A DAY TO TAKE YOUR CALL. FOR A FREE CONSULTATION, CALL US OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE.