Maison Law supports bus accident victims in Porterville. If you or a loved one have been injured in a bus accident, our experienced accident attorneys can get you and your family the compensation you need for all your damages. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Porterville Bus Accident?
Bus accidents are notoriously complicated. For that reason, it is advisable to consult with an attorney about your next steps. If your damages and injuries are severe, an attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf to hold the insurance company responsible. An attorney can also:
- Manage the insurance companies on your behalf and file a personal injury lawsuit against all liable parties
- Put you in touch with trusted doctors for ongoing treatment
- Gather concrete evidence such as traffic footage from the incident and eyewitness statements to back up your claim
- Negotiate a fair settlement
- Represent you in court if a settlement cannot be reached
Whether you were side-swiped by a private bus owner or rear-ended by a transPort bus on West Street, the experienced attorneys at Maison Law are here to help accident victims of Porterville get the compensation they need to make a full recovery. Contact Maison Law for a free consultation and learn what options are available to you.
Who is Liable for a Bus Accident?
Bus accident lawsuits can be complicated because it is not uncommon to involve multiple parties. It will be the job of the attorney to investigate and gather evidence to decide who is liable for your injuries. The most common defendants in a bus accident lawsuit include:
- Bus driver
- Bus maintenance company
- Bus stop property owner
- But part manufacturer
- City, county, or state agency
- Bus owner
- Bus driver supervisor
If the liable party is a government entity, it is important to note you only have 6 months to file your bus accident claim, as opposed to 2 years for an accident with any other party.
Common Causes of Porterville Bus Accidents
All buses driving through Porterville are required to offer a “duty of care” toward other drivers. Unfortunately, in populated states like California, this is not always the case. In 2023 alone, there were 1,894 accidents in Tulare County with 91 of them being fatal.
The most common causes of Porterville bus accidents are:
- Speeding: If a bus driver faces delays, which is common in a city like Los Angeles, they may feel obligated to speed to meet their scheduled stops.
- Distraction: Passengers can engage in distracting behavior and cause the driver to lose their focus on the road.
- Drunk driving: Bus drivers who were drinking on their breaks or before work make the mistake of driving while intoxicated, putting many passenger’s lives at risk.
- Defective bus: The bus missed scheduled maintenance or certain repairs were not done correctly, causing the bus to malfunction during operation.
- Road hazards: Bad weather and uneven roads could result in a bus accident.
- Overcrowded passengers: If the weight of all the passengers exceeds the restricted weight limit, the bus may not operate correctly.
What is the Typical Compensation for a Bus Accident in Porterville?
Compensation for a bus accident is intended to cover your economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages consist of:
- Emergency room treatment
- Hospital bills
- Medications and medical supplies
- In-home care assistance
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings due to your inability to return to the same line of work
- Vehicle repair or replacement
Non-economic damages cover things that you can’t assign a specific dollar amount. These include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium (filed by a spouse or family member to cover loss of love or companionship)
By calculating these factors, you can estimate what your compensation should be. However, a knowledgeable accident attorney will be able to give you a better idea of what you can expect to recover for your damages. For a free consultation and evaluation of your case, contact the experienced accident attorneys at Maison Law today.
Contact a Porterville Bus Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one are hurt in a bus accident due to a careless bus driver, our accident attorneys can get you the compensation you need. We protect the rights of the community of Porterville and its accident victims. Contact Maison Law today for a free, no-risk case consultation for you or your family members. No upfront money is required and you don’t pay a dime until your case is won.
