Anytime you step onto a bus you are trusting your safety to someone else. The same is true when you put your child on a school bus. But bus accidents do happen—and they can injure passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists or people in other vehicles. If you have been injured in any kind of bus accident, don’t face your injuries alone—or your medical bills. 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.
The attorneys of the Simmrin Law Group can help you. We have assembled a team of some of the best personal injury lawyers in the state—and we 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. Let us give you a FREE consultation to get you started. Fill out the form to the right or call us at 310-997-4688 and get your free consultation today.
What kinds of bus accident cases do you take?
Legally, any accident involving a bus follows the same complex rules of liability. The rule is simple: if you were injured and it wasn’t your fault, you probably have a valid claim. This can include many types of accidents:
- Passenger injured in a bus accident
- Passenger injured 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
How are bus accidents different from other accidents in Los Angeles?
Buses are actually a separate category of vehicle 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 on board). This 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 at both the 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. But neither bus drivers nor bus companies will share this information easily—a good bus accident lawyer will launch their own investigation and find the evidence before it can be lost or covered up.
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. This can include:
- The driver. Many bus accidents come down to a 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 both from the driver and their personal insurance, and from the bus company employing them. In most cases it’s 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 kind of unsafe bus. This can include cases where drivers or maintenance staff are not trained properly or where the company cut corners on bus maintenance.
- Local government/school board. If a government entity owns or operates the buses, such as many school buses and city buses, they face the same liability issues as a bus company would.
- Bus maintenance companies. 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.
- Other drivers on the road. 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.
- Bus manufacturers. If the accident may have been caused by a faulty or defective bus part, the company that manufactured that part can be held liable for the entire accident.
What all of these parties have in common is that, usually, your claim will seek the money from their insurance company—and insurance companies are not quick to admit fault or pay. One of the most important things your lawyer can do is launch their own independent investigation, assemble hard evidence, and force the insurer to the negotiation table.
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.
You can win money for ALL of your costs, including:
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy/rehabilitation
- Lost wages from missing work
- The expected long-term cost of your injury in the future
- In many cases, you can receive additional money to offset the impact of a serious loss—such as a permanent injury or disability
How much does a Los Angeles bus accident lawyer cost?
At the Simmrin Law Firm, 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.
Your consultation is free and ALL of our work for you is done with no out-of-pocket payment.
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.
Talk to a Los Angeles Bus Accident Lawyer for Free
Just because 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. We will give you a FREE consultation—and we charge you NOTHING if we don’t win you money. Fill out the form to the right or call us at 310-997-4688 and get your free consultation today.
