Buses are regarded as a safer mode of transportation because of its relatively bigger size and experienced drivers. However, even buses are not immune to accidents. On top of that, bus accidents are likely to result in catastrophic injuries and even death when compared to passenger car accidents. The bus drivers, passengers, pedestrians, occupants of other vehicles as well are likely to suffer from injuries in such cases.
Note that you can file a lawsuit against the opposite party in such cases on the grounds of personal injury or wrongful death. In case you are skeptic about filing a lawsuit, hiring the right bus accident attorney, or determining the bus accident settlement, refer to the following frequently asked questions about California bus accident claims.
Who is held liable for a bus accident in California?
When it comes to a collision that involves a bus, multiple parties can be held responsible depending on the circumstances. Choose an expert bus accident attorney to represent your case so that they are likely to investigate your case at the soonest and figure out the role of each party in the accident. The parties who are likely to be liable to provide bus accident settlement to the victim after an accident include;
- The bus company
- The bus driver
- Owner of the bus company
- The driver of another vehicle
- The bus maintenance company
- Tour bus operator
- A government entity
- The bus manufacturer or the company that manufacture certain parts of a bus
- The school board
What are the damages that can be recovered through bus accident claims?
No bus accidents will be exactly the same and so will be the damages that can be recovered. So, your bus accident attorney will consider the factors such as the amount of time required for your recovery, the financial loss you had to suffer because of the accident, the severity of your injuries, the effect on injuries on your lifestyle, property damage, etc., when determining the compensation that you are entitled to. Generally, the California bus accident lawsuit allows the plaintiff to recover the following damages.
- Medical expenses
- Repair expenses in case of property damage
- Lost wages and loss of future earnings
- Loss of consortium
- Childcare, home modifications, etc., related to your injuries
- Loss of enjoyment
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
How to choose the right bus accident attorney?
While selecting an attorney to represent your bus accident case, consider someone who boasts great expertise in the field since it will be challenging to represent a case that involves multiple parties. Better, if you can hire a lawyer who can ring credential experts to represent or help with your case if required. Additionally, make sure that your bus accident attorney is familiar with the present laws and regulations prevailing in the bus accident field. If you are looking forward to settling the case out of court, choose anadvocate who boasts decent litigation experience.