California Bus Accident Lawyer
Bus Accident Lawyer in California
What This Page Covers
- Complexity: Bus accidents in California involve multiple parties and unique legal challenges, requiring specialized legal knowledge.
- Liability: Determining liability can be complex, involving bus drivers, companies, and third parties.
- Compensation: Victims may recover medical expenses, lost wages, and more, but insurance companies often try to minimize payouts.
- Setareh Law: With extensive experience and a client-first approach, Setareh Law offers robust representation to ensure fair compensation for bus accident victims.
Bus accidents in California can be complex events, often involving multiple parties and unique legal considerations. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s vital to understand your rights and the steps you can take to protect them. At Setareh Law, our bus accident lawyers specialize in navigating these complexities alongside you, providing the guidance and support you need.
Our firm offers experienced legal representation specifically tailored to both California’s laws and your needs. We understand the challenges you face and are here to help you navigate the aftermath of a bus accident, ensuring your rights are upheld and your needs are addressed.
What Are Common Causes of Bus Accidents in California?
In the state of California, research shows that in 2023 there were nearly 1000 bus accidents across the state, half of those leaving victims with serious injuries. Whether you take a bus to commute to work, school, or for running errands, you should be safe each and every time you board this public transport vehicle. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, and individuals who ride buses are just as much at risk of being harmed in an accident as those who drive cars or other motor vehicles.
One of the most important steps in any personal injury claim is to determine the cause of your accident. While every bus accident case is different, some of the most common causes of bus accidents in California include:
- Driver fatigue: Bus drivers often work long hours. If the driver was fatigued at the time of the accident, they may not have been alert as they should have been when behind the wheel.
- Distraction: Bus drivers hold a certain duty to operate the vehicle with the utmost care and alertness, Unfortunately, that is not always the case. If your bus driver was distracted, an accident may occur.
- Poor maintenance of the bus: If the bus you were riding on has not been properly cared for and maintained, a part of the vehicle may malfunction, causing a damaging bus accident.
- Reckless driving by other vehicles: While your bus driver may have been doing everything right behind the wheel, they cannot control the actions of other motorists they share the roads with. If another driver was reckless, they may cause a damaging bus crash as a result of their negligence.
- Adverse weather conditions: No one can control the weather. However, motorists do have a duty to operate their vehicles as safely as possible in inclement weather. This includes bus drivers. If adverse weather conditions are to blame for your bus accident, you may still be eligible to file a California personal injury claim.
- Inadequate training for bus drivers: Because buses are such large vehicles, bus drivers require special training to be able to operate these vehicles safely. If a bus driver was not properly trained, they may cause a serious accident as a result.
- Faulty road conditions: If the respective government entity responsible for maintaining road quality failed to do so, this shortfall may result in a serious bus accident.
Our team of California bus accident lawyers will launch a full investigation into your case to fully understand what the cause of your accident is as we help you pursue justice. To begin the process of filing your California bus accident case, contact our team of trusted lawyers at Setareh Law today.
Steps to Take Following a California Bus Accident
After being harmed in a bus accident, you may be left feeling unsure of what legal options are available to you and what your next steps should be. While your main focus should be on your recovery from any physical or emotional harm you may have suffered, it is important you are also aware of the crucial steps you will need to take to ensure the success of your personal injury claim.
These important steps include the following:
Seek Medical Care
Receiving care from a medical professional after a bus accident is important, even if you do not immediately feel injured. Not only is it important for your overall well being, it is also a crucial step towards building a strong personal injury case. Without receiving medical care from a doctor after suffering harm in a California bus accident, the insurance adjusters may see this as evidence that the accident did not cause any injuries.
When you receive medical care, one of our California bus accident lawyers will be able to collect key evidence for your case, such as medical bills or doctors’ notes.
Collect Evidence From the Scene of the Bus Accident
If you are able, you should get photo or video evidence from the bus accident scene depicting any visible injuries you have suffered, damage to any of your property, skid marks on the road, bent signs, or any other visible proof showing that an accident occurred. One of our California lawyers will also collect footage from any nearby security cameras on businesses or buildings that may have captured the bus accident.
Speak to Eye Witnesses
If there were witnesses to the bus accident, such as pedestrians or other bus passengers, our California bus accident lawyers will collect their contact information and ask them to provide a brief statement of what they saw occur. Their statement can be highly valuable to helping you build a strong personal injury case as you seek fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Contact Emergency Services
It is crucial you contact emergency services, like law enforcement, at the scene of the accident. You should never assume that someone else will call them. When you contact police, that will ensure that an accident report is filed, detailing what the officer believes occurred, in addition to the statements of the parties involved in the bus crash.
This report will be a crucial piece of evidence for your case, and one of our California lawyers will obtain a copy for your records.
Refrain From Posting About the Bus Accident on Social Media
In a world where most people tend to post everything on the internet, posting about your bus accident is not advisable. It is in your best interest to refrain from posting about the accident on social media, at least until after filing your claim and recovering the compensation you are owed. This is because anything posted on social media may be used against you by the insurance adjuster looking to award you the lowest possible amount in compensation.
Retain the Help of a California Bus Accident Lawyer
One of the most important steps you will take when filing your personal injury claim is to retain the legal counsel of a trusted bus accident lawyer in California who can help you build a strong claim. At Setareh Law, our team of legal professionals has the experience and skill to help guide you through each step of the personal injury legal process as you pursue the justice you are owed for the harm you have suffered.
Understanding California Bus Accident Claims
Bus accidents involve unique legal challenges that many car accidents do not. In California, these accidents often implicate different liability and insurance issues due to the involvement of commercial or public entities. It’s essential to understand these nuances when seeking compensation.
For starters, determining liability in a bus accident can be complicated. It may involve the bus driver, the bus company, or even a third party. At Setareh Law, we meticulously investigate each case, identifying all liable parties to strengthen your claim. We also navigate California’s specific statutes and regulations governing commercial and public transportation, ensuring no legal stone is left unturned.
Recovering Damages After Being Injured in a California Bus Accident
Bus accidents can leave victims with serious injuries and a long road to recovery due to the sheer size and mass of these public transport vehicles. However, you should never have to pay for an accident you did not cause. To ensure you are able to recover the fai compensation you are owed for your injuries and losses, it is crucial you file a personal injury claim.
When you file a personal injury claim, the damages you may be eligible to recover are as follows:
- Medical expenses: As a result of the medical care individuals may need to fully heal, they will likely incur costly medical bills for any surgeries or ongoing care they may require. Victims of bus accidents should be compensated for all present and future medical expenses they may incur as a result of the crash.
- Lost wages: Bus accident victims may be unable to work while they recover. As a result, they could lose out on wages that they rely on to take care of themselves and their families. Those who are harmed in California bus accidents should be compensated for all past and present lost wages.
- Lost earning potential: If a person’s career is halted or stopped due to serious injuries caused by a bus accident, they should be compensated for the lost earning potential they may now suffer.
- Property damage: If a person was involved in a bus accident in California where their property was damaged due to the actions of the negligent party, they should be compensated for the cost to repair or replace these items.
- Pain and suffering: Victims of bus accidents in California should be compensated for the emotional and physical pain and suffering they have had to endure due to the negligent actions of the at-fault party.
- Wrongful death: If a bus accident resulted in the untimely death of a loved one or family member, the surviving party of the deceased should be compensated for their unimaginable loss.
Insurance adjusters will often attempt to get bus accident victims to accept a lowball offer when reviewing their personal injury claim. That is why it is crucial you work with our team of trusted bus accident lawyers. Our California legal team will negotiate for the fair compensation you are owed for the losses you have suffered at the hands of the liable party.
Navigating Insurance and Compensation Following a Bus Accident
After a bus accident, dealing with insurance companies can be daunting. These companies often have vast resources and are focused on minimizing their payouts. This is where our expert bus accident lawyers become crucial. At Setareh Law, we are seasoned in negotiating with insurance companies, ensuring our clients receive the fair compensation they deserve.
Our approach includes a comprehensive assessment of your losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We understand the tactics insurers may use to undervalue claims, and we are prepared to counter them effectively. The goal of our bus accident attorneys is to secure a settlement that truly reflects the impact that the accident had on your life. This means ensuring that you receive compensation for every aspect of the accident, especially if it was due to no fault of your own.
How a Seasoned Legal Advocate Can Help Your Bus Accident Claim
Choosing the right attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your bus accident claim. At Setareh Law, we pride ourselves on providing personalized, aggressive representation. Our team is well-versed in California’s bus accident laws, and we are committed to advocating for your best interests.
We handle each case with the utmost attention and dedication, ensuring you are informed and involved at every step. Our California bus accident lawyers also operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. This approach underscores our commitment to your success and well-being.
Why Choose Setareh Law for Your Bus Accident Claim?
When faced with the aftermath of a bus accident, having Setareh Law on your side offers several advantages. Our firm is deeply committed to our clients’ needs. We provide around-the-clock support and are willing to go the extra mile for your case.
Our track record speaks for itself. We have successfully challenged powerful opposition, consistently securing favorable outcomes for our clients. With a Califona bus accident attorneys from Setareh Law, you can be confident that your case is in capable hands and that your rights and interests are our top priority.
In choosing us, you benefit from our:
- Comprehensive legal knowledge
- Proven negotiation skills with insurance companies
- Personalized and aggressive legal representation
- No-win, no-fee commitment
Setareh Law is renowned for our compassionate approach. We understand that a bus accident can be a traumatic and stressful experience, not just for you but also for your family. Our team is dedicated to handling your case with sensitivity and respect, ensuring you feel supported and valued throughout the legal process. We believe in building a personal connection with each client, which enables us to tailor our strategies to your unique circumstances and needs.
Contact a Setareh Law Bus Accident Attorney For Comprehensive Legal Assistance
Bus accidents can be life-altering events, but you don’t have to face them alone. Setareh Law is here to guide you through every step of the legal process, from claim filing to settlement negotiation. Our bus accident lawyers are experts in California law, combined with our commitment to client service, which makes us a reliable partner in your journey toward recovery and justice.
If you’re dealing with the consequences of a bus accident in California, don’t hesitate to reach out to a bus accident attorneys today. At Setareh Law, you are more than just a case number; you are a valued member of our community, and we are committed to advocating for your rights and well-being. Call us at (559) 354-3760 or fill out our contact form for a free case evaluation. We’re here to help you move forward with confidence and peace of mind. Our team also speaks Spanish.