We expect to arrive safely at our destination when we ride a bus. Likewise, when we put our kids on a school bus, we expect that they are in good hands and that safety measures will keep them safe. Unfortunately, buses get involved in numerous accidents each year, especially here in California. In fact, California is one of the states with the highest number of fatal and injurious bus crashes, based on government data.
Getting hurt in a bus crash may entitle you to compensation for your injuries and losses. However, many bus accident claimants find that getting their rightful compensation is difficult. You need an experienced bus accident attorney to establish your damages and hold the at-fault party accountable.
The accident attorneys at Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers, APC are among the most trusted in Riverside County and beyond, having won high-value cases for our clients. Our firm in Temecula, California, can help you claim your needed and deserved bus accident compensation. Call us today.
California’s Bus Crash Problem
Several public transport companies provide bus lines in California, including Greyhound, Megabus, Flixbus, and Metro. We also have localized mass transportation from agencies such as the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA).
Besides public transport, our state has a range of other bus types. School buses are the largest mass transport operation in the state, with 24,201 public and private buses. California is also rife with charter buses, tour buses, motor coaches, shuttles, party buses, and trolleys.
With so many of these large vehicles on our roads daily, it’s almost inevitable that California would have high bus crash numbers.
An analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) showed that California had the second-highest number of fatal bus crashes from 2012-2018, second only to New York.
The latest statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) reflect this. In 2021 alone, California had five deaths from bus crashes, making it the sixth state with the most bus crash fatalities in the U.S. The state also had 263 injuries in bus collisions, putting it in the top seven states with the most bus-related injuries.
These statistics don’t reflect the losses that each victim suffers. Bus crash injuries are often catastrophic and life-altering, with some survivors bearing a long-term disability, financial burdens, and some level of emotional distress.
Who is Liable in Your Bus Accident?
One factor that makes bus accident claims challenging is that other parties besides the driver may be involved. In “regular” car accidents, it’s often clear who is at fault, and drivers can settle the matter among themselves. But in a bus crash, the following parties may be responsible, sometimes jointly:
- The bus driver – Some bus drivers engage in risky driving behaviors such as speeding, distracted driving, and making improper turns.
- The bus company – A private bus company may be liable to pay if their negligence was a factor in the accident. Examples of company negligence are hiring unqualified bus drivers or failing to properly maintain and repair the vehicle.
Additionally, if the bus driver was negligent, their employer could also share the liability under the legal principle of respondeat superior or vicarious liability. This principle holds employers responsible for the behavior of their employees at work. - A government entity – If a government agency or school district operates the bus, they may be liable to pay the victims. Claiming from a government entity follows special rules, so it’s best to have an attorney on your side.
- A manufacturer – A bus parts manufacturer could be held responsible if their product was defective and led to the accident. Some examples of defective bus parts are blown tires and malfunctioning brakes.
- The driver of another vehicle – Car drivers and other motorists must apply extra caution when driving near a large vehicle like a bus. If a motorist was driving irresponsibly and caused the bus accident, they are liable to pay the victims’ damages.
Determining who is liable is crucial in a bus accident compensation claim. If you hope to receive compensation for your bus crash losses, you’ll need a competent lawyer to investigate the accident, determine the responsible party or parties, and establish fault.
Further, your attorney should also be able to represent you if you face a powerful bus company, government entity, or insurance company. At Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers, APC, we are tenacious when standing up to these parties. Guided by our 25+ years of experience, we assert our clients’ rights with skill and fearlessness. That’s how we’ve won million-dollar cases and more.
Compensation in a Bus Accident
If you sustained serious injuries in your bus crash, you might be able to file a personal injury claim for various damages such as:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation/therapy costs
- Disability-related expenses
- Lost income
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental/emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life.
If your family member tragically died in a bus accident or due to bus crash injuries, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim, which could compensate you for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost benefits
- Lost companionship
- Lost care and guidance.
Consult with a bus accident lawyer to determine the full amount you may be entitled to. The attorneys at Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers, APC are thorough when it comes to examining your case value. We want our clients to get the maximum compensation they deserve because we know that the effects of a bus accident are immense and far-reaching.
Contact a Temecula Bus Crash Attorney
Zucker Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers, APC provides high-quality legal service for those who have suffered in a bus accident. We have been serving the Temecula area for over 25 years now and have obtained favorable settlements and awards for our clients.
Your consultation with us is free, and you won’t have to pay lawyer fees unless and until we obtain compensation for you.
Call (951) 699-2100 for a free bus accident case evaluation.
