If you have been injured in a bus accident in Los Angeles, don’t face your injuries alone. You may be able to recover all of the money you need to pay for your treatment and put your life back in order. You need to talk to a Los Angeles bus accident lawyer, and the attorneys at the Simmrin Law Group can help you.
We have assembled a team of some of the best personal injury lawyers in the state and know how to win bus accident cases. We have the resources to take on large bus companies, the city government, or any other entity involved in your accident. Fill out the form to the right or give us a call to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
How Do I Know If I Have a Valid Claim?
Legally, any accident involving a bus follows the same complex rules of liability. However, one thing is simple. If you were injured and it wasn’t your fault, you probably have a valid claim.
A bus accident lawyer in Los Angeles can help you draft a comprehensive claim. You can make a claim for many types of accidents, including:
- Passenger injured in a bus accident
- Passenger wounded getting on or off of the bus
- Pedestrian or bicyclist struck by the bus
- Drivers or passengers in other vehicles hit by the bus
- School bus, tour bus, and party bus crashes
- Bus accidents involving road conditions, potholes, or weather
For a free legal consultation with a bus accidents lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (310) 928-9347
How Are Bus Accidents Different from Other Accidents in Los Angeles?
Buses are actually a separate category of vehicles under the law, and they must follow their own set of regulations. The law defines a bus as any vehicle capable of carrying more than 10 passengers (regardless of how many are actually onboard). These vehicles can include:
- City buses
- Long-distance buses such as Greyhound or Amtrak
- Private party buses
- Tour buses
- School buses
- Trolleys
- Airport shuttle buses and many large vans
Most of these types of vehicles are considered common carriers under the law. This means they must meet licensing requirements in both state and federal law. If the bus driver or company did not follow all licensing requirements, this is a major factor in their liability for your injury.
However, neither bus drivers nor bus companies will share this information easily. A good Los Angeles bus accident lawyer will launch their own investigation and find the evidence before it can be lost or covered up.
Los Angeles Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me (310) 928-9347
Who Is Liable in a Bus Accident?
There are a lot of factors affecting liability in any bus accident. Accordingly, there are many different parties who could be responsible, depending on what happened. These parties can include:
- The driver
- The bus company
- Local government/school board
- A bus maintenance company
- Third-party drivers
- The bus manufacturer
The Driver
Many bus accidents come down to careless action by the bus driver. Bus drivers are people, and they can break traffic laws, race through a changing light without looking, turn into other vehicles, or hit pedestrians. They may also be drowsy or distracted at the wheel.
If the bus driver was careless, you have the right to seek your financial recovery from the driver and their personal insurance. However, you may also be able to file a claim against the bus company employing them. In most cases, it is best to file your claim against both parties to make sure we get you the full amount you need.
The Bus Company
Bus companies may be liable both for driver error and for sending out any unsafe bus. Bus companies are responsible for ensuring that their drivers and maintenance staff receive proper training. Failing to do so or cutting corners on bus maintenance can be highly dangerous.
Local Government or School Board
If a government entity owns or operates the buses, as with many school buses and city buses, they face the same liability issues as a private bus company.
The Bus Maintenance Company
Many bus companies will contract out maintenance to a third party. These maintenance companies can also be held liable if they cut corners or did not hire and train staff properly.
Third-Party Drivers
Just like any other accident, other drivers may be at fault, especially if they cut in front of the bus, broke a traffic law, or drove in a negligent or careless way.
The Bus Manufacturer
If the accident resulted from a faulty or defective bus part, the company that manufactured that part can be held liable for the entire accident.
In most cases, no matter who is at fault, your claim will seek the money from their insurance company. Unfortunately, insurance companies are not quick to admit fault or pay. That means you will likely have a battle ahead of you if you hope to recover the money that you deserve.
One of the most important things your Los Angeles bus accident lawyer can do is launch their own independent investigation, assemble hard evidence, and force the insurer to the negotiation table.
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What Does a Bus Accident Lawyer Do?
After hiring a bus accident lawyer in Los Angeles, one of the first steps they will take is to begin an independent investigation into the crash. They will visit the accident site, speak with any potential witnesses, review the accident report, consult with experts, and examine your medical record relating to the incident.
After they have concluded their investigation, they will begin the process of filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit on your behalf.
Your attorney will negotiate with the legal counsel for the other side, attempting to reach a fair settlement agreement. Until an agreement is reached, they will continue through the legal steps until the completion of the pre-trial process. If a settlement has still not been reached, your attorney will fight your case in court.
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How Much Money Can I Win for a Bus Accident Claim in Los Angeles?
Many bus accident claims settle for over $1,000,000. Even smaller claims are often six figures. The purpose of this money is not just to pay for your medical bills but to help you put your life together despite pain, injuries, or losses. The money you can receive is broken into three groups.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the losses you face that have a measurable monetary value. Common economic damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning potential
- Property damages
Costs like medical expenses are very easy to measure and simply require you to add up your medical bills. However, losses like diminished earning potential are a bit more complicated. Even so, there is still a direct dollar amount and formulas for calculating the potential loss.
Economic damages are meant to be a dollar-for-dollar exchange to minimize the impact of the accident upon your life.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages are far more difficult to assess. Non-economic damages cover losses of things that can not be recovered. Common examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Permanent disability
These damages are beyond measure, and no amount of money can properly compensate for these losses. Unfortunately, the best the court system can do is award financial compensation to help improve victims’ lives in other ways. Because this money is meant to cover things that are priceless, economic damages tend to make up the bulk of a compensation package.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, punitive damages are also awarded. Punitive damages are not meant to make up for a specific loss suffered by the accident victim. Instead, they are designed to punish the at-fault party if the accident was a result of gross negligence.
How Much Does a Los Angeles Bus Accident Lawyer Cost?
At the Simmrin Law Group, we do not believe in charging up-front fees to someone who is already hurting. In fact, we charge you nothing if we don’t win you money. This payment structure is known as working on a contingency fee basis because our pay is contingent upon getting money for our clients.
All of our work for you is done with no out-of-pocket payment, including an initial case evaluation to get things started.
If we win you money, we will take our fee as a percentage, and you keep the lion’s share. We believe this is the best way to offer no-risk legal services. You will not only receive experienced legal representation, but you can also feel confident that your lawyer will do everything within their power to get you the most money possible for your case.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Bus Accident Injury Claim?
In California, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, it is important to note that under certain circumstances, the amount of time you have to file may be far shorter. Hiring a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles as soon as possible after an accident can help ensure you don’t miss your deadline.
Even if you have the full two years to file, it is best to get started as soon as possible. Delays can result in evidence becoming lost or degraded. Additionally, witness testimony is less reliable the more time passes after the accident.
Talk to a Los Angeles Bus Accident Lawyer for Free
The fact that you are up against the city or a large bus company doesn’t mean you don’t have rights. Let the Simmrin Law Group help you. Our experienced legal team will do everything within our power to ensure you get fair compensation for your injuries.
Fill out our online contact form or give us a call to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. One of our Los Angeles bus accident lawyers will review your case and advise you about all of your legal options for recovering the money you deserve. We believe that all accident victims are entitled to compensation to help them move on after an accident.
Call or text (310) 928-9347 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form