The San Bernardino bus accident lawyers at LA Century Law help victims and their families make a claim for their damages and injuries. Claim for damages and injuries entitles an injured party to financial compensation. We are lawyers who represent individuals hurt in bus accidents. If you have been injured, we can represent you to make a claim for your injuries, which would entitle you to monetary compensation. We will also get you the treatment you need and deserve to recover from your injuries.
When a bus accident occurs, it can be devastating for the victim. The victim may receive financial compensation through a legal claim. LA Century Law represents San Bernardino bus accident victims with aggressive legal representation.
Contact us today for a consultation to learn more about how we can help you.
What Compensation Can You Get for a Bus Accident Claim?
Compensation for bus accident claims is divided into three categories – economic, non-economic and punitive. Examples of the compensation you may receive include:
- Emergency medical bills
- Short and long-term medical care costs
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Other medical costs (prescriptions, nursing care, supplies, travel)
- Property damage
- Physical pain and suffering, emotional anguish
- Anxiety, PTSD, flashbacks, depression and other mental health injuries
- Disfigurement, mobility and lifestyle limitations
- Wrongful death damages
*Punitive damages are rare. To receive punitive damages, the conduct of the defendant leading up to the crash must be particularly offensive. Our lawyers can help you understand if punitive damages are available in your case. Economic and non-economic damages are available in most cases.
How Do I Hire a Bus Accident Lawyer?
To hire our bus accident lawyers, contact us for a consultation about your case. During your free consultation, we will explain the claims process, assist you in scheduling treatment with some of the best doctors in California, and answer any questions you may have. Our goal is to make the process as seamless as possible so that you can focus on treatment and recovery while we do all the heavy lifting.
Highlights of the LA Century Law firm include:
- A 99% success rate. We get results
- Experience with legal claims involving individuals. Our experience in the courtroom is used to your advantage
- The no-fee guarantee. This means that we only get paid when we win. There is no risk to the client.
- A track record of success in injury claims. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for our clients through both jury trials and settlements
- Knowledge of special issues that may be important in bus accident claims like when a government entity is involved or the vehicle design is a question
- The resources to handle claims involving catastrophic injury. We identify long-term, future damages to ensure you have the monetary resources you need going forward
- Aggressive representation for our clients in San Bernardino and throughout Southern California
Law firm founder and President, Ryan J. Daneshrad, found LA Century Law firm with a commitment to helping individuals who need justice. As a former clerk to the Los Angeles Superior Court, he knows what it takes to fight for justice and win.
The time to bring a claim is limited. Don’t wait to contact us to talk about claiming bus accident compensation.
What Are the Causes of Bus Accidents?
Bus accidents have many causes – some that you may not expect. Grounds for bus accident compensation may include:
- Speeding
- Disregarding traffic signals
- Right of way violations
- Other vehicles not leaving sufficient space for the bus
- Sudden stops
- Unqualified drivers, poor training, driver fatigue
- Carelessness or rushing during loading and unloading passengers
- Failing to use sufficient care and regard for pedestrians waiting for the bus
- Fires, electrical problems, manufacturing and design defects
- Road defects; poor road maintenance
- Reckless driving
- Drunk and drugged driving
- Distracted driving including by unruly passengers
When a party causes an accident, they are responsible to pay victims for damages. Our lawyers investigate to determine the cause and who may have legal liability.
In addition, bus drivers are “common carriers” in California. “It is the carrier’s duty to take every reasonable precaution for passengers’ safety in boarding its cars.” Sellars v. Southern Pac. Co. (App. 1917) 33 Cal.App. 701.
Civ. Code § 2101 states that “a carrier of persons for reward is bound to provide vehicles safe and fit for the purposes to which they are put, and is not excused for default in this respect by any degree of care.”
This imposes a heightened duty on the bus drivers to drive in a safe and reasonable manner. Any violation of the rules that control “common carriers” means that the bus driver is automatically liable for the injuries. This is called negligence per se. That is why it is so important to make sure you have the right representation from the start of your claim.
Bus accidents caused by defective vehicle design
When a bus accident occurs, vehicle design may be an important issue to explore. The design of the vehicle itself may impact the nature and severity of injuries. The availability of seatbelts on the bus may also be in question. As part of our thorough representation, we explore whether defective vehicle design is an issue in the case.
What if I did something to contribute to the accident?
Sometimes, there is one party who is solely responsible for causing a bus accident. However, it’s common that there are multiple contributing factors. There may be more than one person who is responsible for negligence.
Even if you may have done something to cause the accident, you should contact us right away to learn more about your case. It is important to make sure you have the right representation from the commencement of your matter. If you do not, it can lead to mistakes that impact your right to recovery. California law may still allow you to claim monetary compensation. If you weren’t wearing a seatbelt, for example – You may receive less, but you may still receive a significant amount. Our lawyers can help you understand how comparative negligence works in California and how it may play a role in your compensation.
Types of Bus Accident Claims in San Bernardino
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BUSES
A government body may pay compensation when a public transportation bus causes an accident. The California Tort Claims Act applies when a bus is part of a public transportation network. You must file a notice of claim within six months.
There are specifics in the law for how to submit a notice and where to submit it. Victims should be aware that the timeline is as short as six months, and there are special procedures they must follow to receive compensation. Our lawyers represent victims in claims that involve public transportation buses.
EMPLOYER LIABILITY
Employers may be liable for the actions of a driver that works for them. Even though the company may not have directly caused the injury, they may still be legally liable for what their employees do. Naming an employer is extremely important in a bus accident claim. Our lawyers work to identify employer liability and follow the procedural steps to claim compensation through all available avenues.
PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE CLAIMS
Not all bus accident victims are riding in the bus at the time of the accident. Pedestrians and bicyclists may suffer injury. Accidents may occur while passengers are boarding and disembarking from the bus. Identifying injuries and the monetary implications may be especially important for bus accident claims that involve pedestrians and bicyclists.
How Do Lawyers Negotiate Bus Accident Compensation?
Negotiating fair bus accident compensation begins with aggressively building the evidence. Legal fault must be clear. We gather proof of your damages which includes showing that your damages are from the accident. Building evidence involves talking to witnesses, working with experts and using legal procedures to require the defense and witnesses to provide information.
Once you have concluded treatment and we have gathered all information regarding your matter, we will make a claim for damages to the entity and/or individual responsible for the crash. If they fail to properly compensate you for your harm, we will file a lawsuit on your behalf without delay. We believe you are entitled to every cent for your injuries. Our group of trained lawyers will not settle for anything less.
With legal training and experience, we know how to approach negotiations. In addition, we give you honest and informed guidance about whether to accept a settlement or continue to pursue your case. You want – and deserve – compensation as quickly as possible. Our team pursues your case efficiently while also keeping in mind that your success depends on building a thorough claim.
Does My Wife Or Husband Have A Claim?
Yes. In California, a spouse of an injured party may make a claim for what is referred to legally as “Loss of Consortium”. Loss of Consortium is a claim for “Non-Economic” damages that can be awarded to the spouse of an injured party.
California Civil Jury Instruction (CACI) No. 3920 states that when a spouse is harmed, their wife or husband may make a claim for the loss of their “companionship and services”, which includes “loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, moral support, sexual relations, and/or the ability to have children.”
Bus Accident Lawyers Taking New Cases in San Bernardino
Time deadlines apply – so contact us today. The lawyers at LA Century Law are currently accepting new cases for bus accidents in San Bernardino. Get answers to your questions, and see how we can represent you by contacting us for a consultation about your case.
We’re proud of our record of success for people like you. Don’t wait any longer to get the compensation that you deserve for a bus accident. Contact us today.
