805-962-1930 Santa Barbara Bus Accident Lawyer
Public transportation systems are designed to be reliable and safe, but sometimes bus drivers end up in traffic accidents that can result in the loss of life. Bus accidents aren’t common, but when they do occur, bus accidents can be tragic. If you get into a bus accident and end up with personal injuries, it is a good idea to speak to California bus accident attorneys. Not only can they inform you of how much you can collect in damages according to personal injury law, but they can let you know whether or not you can hold the bus company liable for compensation. A California bus accident attorney can help you receive a fair settlement based on the type of damages you experience. Bus accident attorneys help attain maximum compensation for you and provide legal representation so you can cover your medical bills and other expenses. You can learn more about bus accidents in Santa Barbara from Maho Prentice, LLP. Our legal team will help you understand what actions you should take regarding your personal injuries. Because we work on a contingency basis, you never pay out of pocket for our legal advice.
Most Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Bus accidents can happen for various reasons but mainly due to factors that could have been avoided. Bus accident claims can be caused by any of the following reasons:
Bus Company Negligence
Bus companies must ensure that all their buses are properly maintained and regularly inspected. Every bus company must review their buses and schedule them to be checked by a certified engineer according to state inspection regulations. Sometimes, the bus companies fall short of these requirements, which can result in faulty equipment, increasing the risk of accidents.
Distracted Bus Drivers
Although bus drivers are professionals who must ensure commuters make it to their destination safely, sometimes they don’t pay attention to the road. As a result, they may get distracted, which can result in a bus accident.
Poor Road Conditions
When roads are run down or under heavy construction, it can cause problems. Potholes, uneven surfaces, and construction work can cause a bus accident. In this case, bus accident attorneys can hold the construction company or municipality liable for the damages.
Imbalances Or Overpacked Buses
When buses are imbalanced because of the weight they are carrying, this results in uneven distribution. An imbalance can happen because of the bus’s design or the heavy load of passengers on board. If a bus becomes imbalanced, this can increase the risk of a bus accident. Similar to large trucks with uneven cargo, imbalanced weight distributed distribution can make a bus sway off course, resulting in a bad traffic accident.
Steps to Take After a Bus Accident
After a bus accident, you should take several steps to build your case to receive maximum compensation for your injuries. As with a car accident, you will need to take action so that you have enough information to pass on to an experienced bus accident attorney. They will help you file your bus accident claim against the bus company.
Call The Paramedics
If you’ve been injured, call 911 and tell them you were in a bus accident. The bus driver might reach out to their company or call paramedics as well, but if no one else does, you should do so immediately.
Wait For Police To Arrive
If you were in a bus accident, you should answer any questions the police ask you. The police officers will want to speak to you and other passengers. The police report will later be requested by your personal injury attorney so that you can use this as evidence in your bus accident claim.
Take Pictures Of Your Accident
You should take pictures of your injuries and, if possible, take pictures of the accident scene. Show where the bus crashed, what obstacles or factors may have been involved in the crash, and any other vehicles that collided with the bus. If you were driving another vehicle, take pictures of your car to show any property damage.
Gather Contact Information From Those Involved
It is a good idea to gather contact information from anyone who saw the crash. Get the contact information of the bus company so that your attorney can reach out to them at a later date.
Contact Your Insurance Company
If you are a driver, let your insurance company know what happened and how the bus driver caused an accident. They should be updated on any accidents you experience.
Reach Out To California Bus Accident Attorneys
Bus accident attorneys will investigate your accident and determine the other party’s liability. Before you make the decision to file a claim, an attorney can let you know if your settlement is worth pursuing. There is a chance that you can be held at fault for your damages if you were breaking a traffic law somehow. For example, you may not have yielded to the bus at the appropriate time, resulting in a bus accident. Even if you are partially at fault, you can still receive compensation according to the comparative negligence principle. Your attorney can also help estimate your damages by reviewing all the injuries you suffered and the number of expenses you had to pay out of pocket. Damages they can estimate for you include lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and property damage.
Who is Liable When You are a Passenger on a Bus?
The bus driver is an on-duty professional who must provide safe and reliable transportation services. The bus driver can be typically held liable for accidents due to their neglect because they have a duty of care to their passengers. Therefore, bus commuters have a right to maximum compensation when they experience a bus accident because the bus driver breached their duty of care.
Compensation You May Get for a Bus Accident
Bus accident victims can obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If the damages are ongoing — follow-up medical treatments or lost income that lasts for months — it should be included in the settlement total. Your attorney will accurately calculate this on your behalf. If a loved one suffered a wrongful death in a bus accident, their surviving family members are eligible for compensation.
Speak To A Dedicated Santa Barbara Bus Accident Lawyer
Let your attorney negotiate a settlement while you focus on your recovery. Don’t lose the opportunity to be fully compensated for your damages. To learn more, schedule a free consultation with Maho Prentice LLP today.