We represent victims hurt in accidents involving Merced County Transit. Victims who are hurt while riding a bus or struck by a bus can seek full compensation for their medical bills and other damages.
You can contact Maison Law of Merced for a free case consultation to talk over your options and how to get complete compensation as quickly as possible. This no-risk, informational meeting comes with no obligation and is an easy way to learn how to hold Merced County fully responsible for a careless bus driver.
Do I Need a Lawyer After Getting Hurt in a Merced County Transit Lawyer
If you are hit by a bus or injured while riding Merced County Transit and your injuries are serious, like a broken bone, a head injury, or neck or back pain, you should talk to a lawyer.
Claims that must be filed against Merced County come with a shorter deadline, a higher complexity, and often, a battle with government lawyers. When you have a more costly recovery, these entities will fight hard to avoid taking responsibility.
This is why it’s a good idea to have your own legal protection from Maison Law Accident & Injuries Lawyers. Our attorneys fully investigate what happened and back your case with powerful evidence. It’s the best safeguard when government agencies want to avoid blame and downplay your injuries.
You always have the right to handle your case yourself, but with a serious injury, a lawyer can often win you much more to help now and for the years ahead. Turning your case over to a skilled legal professional is also a great way to earn more time to focus on your injury and getting better.
Reach Out to Schedule a Free Consultation with a Merced Personal Injury Lawyer
Our Merced Bus Accident Lawyers are happy to sit down with or hop on the phone with any bus accident victim in Merced County. It’s an absolutely free case consultation. There’s no obligation for this meeting, and it’s strictly confidential.
It’s the perfect, no-risk way to determine if you have a case or not. Let’s go over your questions and find your best path to receiving help in getting your life back on track after a frightening crash caused by a careless bus driver.
Support Available to Victims After a Crash on “The Bus” of Merced County
The Transit Joint Power Authority operates “The Bus” program serving all of Merced County. But essentially, victims of a crash would be holding the county and city departments responsible for all accident hardships.
Through a personal injury claim, victims would be asking for support for every economic and non-economic hardship they’ve suffered through.
A skilled lawyer would create a full list of every damage the victim has faced, and then demand compensation for these factors and more:
- All medical bills.
- Lifelong support for victims suffering a permanent physical disability.
- Support for the victim’s emotional trauma, such as depression and anxiety, while managing a difficult and painful recovery.
- Loss of enjoyment of life. The difficulties encountered when having to give up favorite hobbies and sit out family activities.
- Support for the physical pain victims must live with temporarily or as a lifelong issue.
- Lost wages and benefits while victims are unable to work.
- Money for car repairs or a new car.
- Wrongful Death Support for Families after a fatal bus accident
The Challenges of Filing a Claim Against Merced County
The Transit Joint Powers Authority is run by a collection of leaders from Merced, Atwater, Dos Palos, Gustine, Livingston, and Los Banos.
Victims may find it necessary to file a claim to get help after several different types of accidents in almost any part of the county. A drowsy bus driver may ram vehicles on a busy road like Olive Avenue, throwing passengers inside against walls and windows to suffer injuries.
A distracted bus driver might strike a pedestrian in a crosswalk. A reckless bus driver may switch lanes without checking a mirror, sending a cyclist off the road. A bus driver in a hurry may not brake in time to avoid smashing into another vehicle and hurting occupants.
After these and other types of bus accidents, victims will find out that government departments enjoy special legal protections that make it extra hard to file a claim and win support.
“The Bus” Transit Joint Powers Authority website asks that all claims be handled this way:
“To file a claim/complaint against the Transit Joint Powers Authority of Merced County you must fill out a claim form (linked below), and mail or drop off in person, with the clerk of the Merced County Association of Governments, 357 W. 18th Street, Merced, CA 95340, within the time prescribed by Government Code section 911.2, which states, “A claim relating to a cause of action for death or for injury to person or to personal property or growing crops shall be presented as provided in Article 2 (commencing with Section 915) of this chapter not later than six months after the accrual of the cause of action.”
The above paragraph of instructions may seem complicated, and that’s because the whole process definitely can be.
Victims may need a lawyer’s assistance with these factors and more:
- Filing a claim on time. A lawyer helps clients meet sneaky deadlines involved with government cases. The deadline to file a claim asking Merced County for permission to seek damages is just 6 months. The county must be alerted to the victim’s intention to file or risk losing the opportunity to earn anything.
- A lawyer handles all the complicated paperwork so that County officials can’t use a mistake as an excuse to reject a claim and leave victims without support.
- A skilled lawyer also battles back when the county assigns government lawyers to poke holes in the victim’s case. Local government will try to delay support, point the finger of blame for a bus accident elsewhere, and question how badly the victim is hurt. A lawyer builds a strong case so that Merced County can’t get away with unfair attacks on victims hurt while riding “The Bus.”
Contact a Merced Bus Accident Injury Lawyer
After you’ve suffered a serious injury due to a bus driver’s mistake, it’s a good idea to take advantage of a free case review. Contact us to set up a meeting with a real lawyer.
We also understand that medications, surgeries, and physical therapy can leave you in a financial crunch right after an accident. You may not have the money to hire a lawyer. But don’t worry. If you need us, we’re there. We only get paid if we win your case for you. Then our fee is paid out of the settlement Merced County must send you.
