Hundreds of thousands of Californian residents and tourists rely on the Los Angeles public transportation system every day. You can see hundreds of buses circling around city streets in Los Angeles, including school buses, tour buses, and charter buses.
While buses are considered one of the least dangerous modes of transportation, bus accidents are not an uncommon occurrence in Los Angeles and other parts of California. Each year, an estimated more than 230 buses are involved in fatal accidents across the United States.
If you have been injured in a bus accident in LA, do not hesitate to speak with a Los Angeles bus accident attorney at Titan Law Firm to get a free consultation. Our attorneys can help you pursue fair and full compensation for all your damages and losses.
Causes of Bus Accidents
Bus accidents can happen at any place and any time. There are numerous causes of traffic accidents involving buses. While there are many contributing factors to bus crashes.
Some of the most common causes of bus accidents include:
| Driver fatigue caused by driving for many hours without rest | Failure to yield the right of way |
| Improper driver training (or lack thereof) | Inadequate bus maintenance |
| Distracted driving | Speeding |
| Unsafe lane changes | Failure to signal one’s intention to change lanes or turn |
| Brake failure | Low visibility |
| Driving under the influence | Dangerous road conditions |
| Reckless driving |
The first step in recovering damages after a bus accident is to determine what caused the crash and who can be held liable for your monetary and non-monetary losses.
Common Injuries in Bus Accidents
The most common types of injuries suffered by bus accident victims include but are not limited to:
| Traumatic brain injuries | Internal bleeding |
| Broken bones | Spinal cord injuries |
| Whiplash | Lacerations and cuts |
| Knee and leg injuries | Neck injuries |
| Burn injuries |
This is not a complete list of injuries that you may suffer in a bus accident. Bus passengers are more likely to suffer serious injuries than occupants of other vehicles because most buses are not equipped with seat belts and airbags.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Bus Accident in Beverly Hills?
Our Los Angeles bus accident attorneys at Titan Law Firm will review all available evidence and investigate your crash to determine liable parties in your bus accident. Typically, there may be one or multiple liable parties in bus crashes in California:
- The bus driver. If your bus accident was the result of the bus driver’s error (e.g., they were speeding at the time of the crash), the driver might be held liable for your resulting damages and losses if you can prove that they were negligent.
- The bus company. Bus companies have an obligation to ensure that their vehicles are safe. This can be done b regularly inspecting buses and replacing or fixing faulty or worn-out parts. Bus companies are also responsible for training and supervising drivers. If a crash occurs due to inadequate bus maintenance or the company’s failure to properly train or supervise drivers, the injured victim may be able to bring a claim against the bus company.
- The tour bus operator. If your accident occurred while riding a tour bus, the tour bus operator might be held liable for your damages and losses.
- The maintenance company. If the bus company hired another company to maintain the vehicle, the company might be held liable if the crash was the result of a mechanical failure or improper maintenance.
- The vehicle manufacturer. If you can prove that your bus accident was caused by a vehicle defect or defective automobile parts, you may be able to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer of the vehicle or its parts.
- Other drivers. Not all accidents involving buses are the bus driver’s fault. If another driver was at fault for causing the accident, you could hold that driver responsible for your damages and losses.
- The school board. If your child was injured on a school bus and there is evidence to prove that the school board failed to do appropriate background checks when hiring the bus driver, you might be able to bring a claim against the board.
- A government entity. If you were injured while riding a government-owned bus or the accident occurred due to poor road condition, you might be able to hold the responsible government entity liable for your injury and damages.
In most bus accidents, liability is not immediately clear, which is why it may be necessary to have a skilled attorney conduct a thorough investigation to figure out who can be held liable for the crash.
How to Prove Negligence in a Beverly Hills Bus Accident?
California Civil Code § 2100 provides that bus carriers are legally required to use diligent and utmost care and exercise “a reasonable degree of skill” when operating the vehicle. If a bus passenger is injured in an accident, they have to prove that someone (e.g., the driver of the bus) was negligent.
Under California law, an injured party can prove another party’s negligence by establishing the following legal elements:
- The defendant owed them a duty of care;
- The defendant’s negligence resulted in the breach of the duty; and
- The breach was the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injuries and damages.
If you were involved in an accident on the bus, you could seek compensation for your damages and losses if you can prove that the bus driver or another liable party was negligent.
What Compensation Can You Seek After a Bus Accident in Beverly Hills?
As a victim of a bus crash in California, you are entitled to various forms of monetary compensation. You can recover the following types of damages after your bus accident:
- Economic damages such as lost wages, the cost of medical treatment and surgery, physical therapy, rehabilitation, emergency care, property damage, and others.
- Non-economic damages, which are any subjective losses incurred by the victim, including emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and many others.
- Punitive (exemplary) damages, which are intended to punish the defendant for their especially egregious conduct. These damages are only awarded if the plaintiff can prove that they were injured due to the defendant’s malicious, willful, fraudulent, or oppressive conduct (California Civil Code § 3294). ]
Call Us Today to Speak with a Beverly Hills Bus Accident Lawyer
Contact our knowledgeable bus accident attorneys at Titan Law Firm to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Let’s discuss your legal options during a free consultation. Call 888.848.2656 today.
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