Have You Been Injured in a Bus Accident?

Buses are a common site throughout California. Hundreds of thousands of passengers use buses each year to get from place to place. Some buses provide local transportation around a city and service commercial districts, while others use buses as their means to commute to and from work. Still others decide to ride on a bus as they travel out of state to see loved ones. 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.

Most of these residents travel safely while aboard these buses but unfortunately, many suffer injuries every year in California bus crashes. Commonly these injuries are very severe, in part because commuters do not use seat belts while riding on most buses. With several bus companies servicing Alhambra and California as a whole, it may not be surprising that these bus accidents account for numerous injuries annually and unfortunately some might result in death. If you sustain an injury, be sure to consult with an Alhambra bus crash attorney ASAP.

What Are Some of the Common Causes of Bus Accidents?

Bus drivers encounter many of the same challenges as any motorist, plus a few other unique problems. Some common reasons for bus accidents involve:

• Driver distraction-- Motorists who pay more attention to their phones or various other electronic devices are much more prone to crashes. Because of the number of passengers 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 often 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 might ignore speed limits or road conditions because of inclement weather.
• Vehicle maintenance-- A poorly maintained bus can crash due to a failing part.
• Insufficient training-- Too often, drivers do not have appropriate training on the safest methods for operating a bus. The lack of training or inadequate training can cause a driver mistake that can result in an accident.

What Injuries Are Common in Bus Crashes?

Just like any kind of collision on Alhambra roadways, the injuries from a bus accident may in part depend on the speed of travel and the size of the other vehicle or vehicles in the crash.

The most prevalent injuries consist of:

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

What Legal Rights Are Available to a Bus Crash Victim?

As a bus crash victim, the law might offer you one or more civil claims to pursue. The cases available will depend on the circumstances of a specific accident and who is at fault in the accident.

At Fault Third Parties

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

At Fault Bus Driver

On the other hand, if the accident is due to a negligent bus driver and you were either a bus occupant or in another vehicle, you may 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

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

• Manufacturer of the bus
• Seller of the bus
• owner/operator of the bus
• Anyone who performed negligent maintenance while servicing the bus

Any bus driver that is hurt in an accident might also have a claim for worker's compensation for their injuries.

The possibility of so many claims makes a bus crash case complicated and complex. Usually the more vehicles involved in the collision, the more complex the claim( s). This is a reason that when picking a bus accident lawyer in Alhambra, you want to choose one with experience prosecuting personal injury claims.

What Do I Do After I'm Involved in a Bus Accident?

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

• Call 911
• Obtain 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 lot on the extent of your injuries. In general, you might recover the costs of your:

• medical expenses
• lost wages
• pain and suffering
• loss of companionship
• lost earning capacity
• damages caused by long-term disability or disfigurement

Families that have lost a loved one in an Alhambra bus accident might also collect for any treatment their loved one received prior to passing away in addition to compensation for funeral and burial costs, loss of companionship, and various other damages. Speak with a knowledgeable Alhambra bus accident attorney to learn all of your options.

Have You Been Injured in an Alhambra Bus Crash?

The Alhambra bus accident lawyers at Mendez & Sanchez will work to help you obtain the financial recovery that you deserve. Bus crash damages might include: medical costs, disfigurement, pain and suffering, loss of normal life, loss of income, and much more. We also aim to recover present and future costs when representing an accident victim.

OUR PERSONAL INJURY AND BUS ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS IN ALHAMBRA, CALIFORNIA, ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY TO TAKE YOUR CALL. FOR A FREE CONSULTATION, CALL US OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE.