Bus Accident Lawyer In Oxnard

Many Americans take buses every day. Unfortunately, serious bus accidents can cause severe or fatal injuries to bus riders, other motorists, and pedestrians. An accident involving buses can render you seriously injured and unable to work. How will you pay your medical bills, mortgage, and other expenses? 

If another party injured you in a bus accident, you might have the right to compensation.  An experienced bus accident lawyer in Oxnard can help you obtain compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and lost earnings. Don’t hesitate to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Oxnard at Maho Prentice, LLP, for a complimentary legal consultation. Our bus accident lawyers have obtained millions in settlements and jury verdict awards for clients injured in motor vehicle accidents.

What Are The Causes Of Bus Accidents? 

The causes of bus accidents may be driver error or negligence in most incidents. Many bus accidents happen because of speeding, driving under the influence, distracted driving, or driving while tired. However, bus accidents can also occur because of another motorist’s negligence. You can receive compensation for injuries if you were injured in a bus accident as a passenger, pedestrian, or motorist. 

What to Do After Bus Accidents? 

There are several critical steps to take after an accident involving a public bus, private bus, or school bus causes serious injuries. First, you should call 911 to get medical treatment for injured people. 

You should also get immediate medical assistance. The sooner you get medical treatment, the better for your health and subsequent bus accident claims. Some bus accident victims might not realize that they are hurt. 

Unfortunately, delaying medical treatment after bus accidents can complicate insurance settlement negotiations. Always seek medical treatment to ensure the viability of a future legal claim with bus accident attorneys. 

If the liable insurance company tries to contact you after the crash, refer them to your bus accident attorney. The insurance company may encourage you to say something that undermines your claim. Many bus accident injuries are severe, and the case value of your claim could be high. Retaining a personal injury attorney to negotiate for your medical expenses and other losses is best. 

What Does An Experienced Bus Accident Attorney Do? 

An Oxnard bus accident lawyer will ensure your rights are fully represented in settlement negotiations or court to get fair compensation from bus companies. Their role in your bus accident case may include: 

• Investigating how the bus accident happened
• Identifying accident witnesses and obtaining statements
• Valuating your bus accident damages and collecting evidence to prove your losses 
• Collecting bus maintenance records
• Negotiating a fair settlement for your losses
• Determining if you should take a settlement or go to court
• Interpreting state and local bus crash laws and identifying any legal issues
• Conducting a jury trial, if needed
• Finalizing a settlement with the insurance company or bus company

A bus accident attorney in Oxnard will perform many critical tasks during your personal injury claim if you were injured in a bus accident by common carriers. They are skilled insurance negotiators and trial attorneys and will do whatever it takes to maximize your compensation. 

Bus Drivers Have A Higher Standard Of Care

California’s public, private, and school bus drivers have a higher standard of care because they carry passengers. They are called common carriers and must follow California Civil Code 2100. This law states that a bus must be driven with the utmost care and diligence. If you are hurt because of bus driver negligence, there is a good chance they and their employer are liable. 

California law also limits the number of hours that bus drivers can be on duty. The law states that drivers cannot drive for more than 10 hours consecutively or more than 10 hours consecutively spread over 15 hours.

How To Prove Negligence After An Oxnard Bus Crash

Holding another party liable for your bus accident injuries means proving that the party was negligent. This means your attorney needs to gather evidence that proves the party or parties violated their duty of care and caused the accident. Some reasons that bus accidents happen include: 

• The bus driver was as speeding or failed to yield
• The bus driver ignored traffic signals and signs
• The bus driver fell asleep while driving
• The bus company didn’t maintain the vehicle properly 
• There was a mechanical issue with the bus
• Bad weather or poor road conditions contributed to the accident
• The bus driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol 
• Another motorist caused the bus accident because of that driver’s negligence

If your attorney can prove that another person’s negligence caused the bus crash, you can receive compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost earnings, and more. If the bus driver or employer caused the accident, more compensation could be available for your losses. California requires that commercial vehicles in the state have more liability coverage than private vehicles. 

Who Pays Compensation In A Bus Accident Claim? 

Many parties may owe you compensation after a bus or motor vehicle accident. Most buses are owned by state or local entities and not individual drivers. If a bus driver caused the accident, they may be liable, as well as their employer. 

The bus manufacturer or maintenance company may sometimes be liable if poor design, manufacturing, or faulty repairs caused the crash. 

How Long Can You Wait To File A Bus Accident Lawsuit? 

California has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. You usually have only two years from the accident date to file your claim. However, you have six months to file your claim if it involves government agencies. If your loved one died in a public transportation or bus accident, you can file a wrongful death claim within two years of the death against a government entity or private citizen. Speak to an experienced attorney for more information. 

Speak To An Experienced Bus Accident Attorney Today 

Buses are critical for people to travel and commute but accidents with other vehicles are common. Being injured in a severe bus accident as a bus passenger can overwhelm you with injuries, medical bills, and stress. When another person or party injures you, there’s no reason to pay out of pocket. A personal injury claim can help.

Read to seek compensation? Speak to an Oxnard bus accidents attorney today for a free consultation — call (805) 774-1295 now. Our personal injury lawyers at Maho Prentice, LLP, have obtained millions in settlements and jury verdicts for our bus accident cases. We can also assist with wrongful death claims involving buses.