Maison Law represents bus accident victims in Ridgecrest. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a bus accident, the accident attorneys at Maison Law can help you get compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Don’t let your life be defined by a careless accident. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Bus Accident in Ridgecrest
When an individual bus driver is careless behind the wheel and injures you in an accident, they are liable for damages. You can settle with the bus company’s insurance, or you hire an attorney to file a personal injury lawsuit against them. With a reputable attorney handling your case, you sue for economic damages, which include medical bills and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages such as emotional harm like anxiety and stress. Together these include:
- Emergency room treatment
- Physical therapy
- In-home care
- Lost income
- Vehicle repair
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Future loss of earnings
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional pain
- Court costs and fees
By settling with the bus company’s insurance right away, you could be left with expensive medical bills and vehicle repairs. It can be financially devastating. For these reasons, it is advisable to partner with a reputable law firm. If you’ve been injured in a bus accident and are unsure of where to turn, contact Maison Law today. We’ll address all your concerns, as well as give you a free consultation and case evaluation.
Where Do Bus Accidents Frequently Happen?
Bus accidents occur in various places and for different reasons. In 2022, there were 15,033 bus accidents across the US, with 219 of them being fatal for one or more people involved. The most common places for bus accidents to occur include:
- Urban intersections: the size of a bus makes it difficult to navigate these types of intersections with multiple lanes, pedestrians, and changing traffic signals to adhere to.
- Bus stops: these may seem like an odd place for a bus accident to occur, but making a sudden stop in traffic with pedestrians coming on and off the bus creates a high risk for an accident.
- Highways and expressways: high speeds and merging lanes create a high-risk accident environment for buses.
- School zones: with a mix of hundreds of kids getting out of class and parents arriving at school at the end of the day, a school zone accident is a common occurrence.
- City centers: city centers are filled with pedestrians crossing the street frequently from both sides, which can lead to a higher chance of a bus accident occurring.
- Construction zones: construction zones often redirect traffic into reduced speed zones, which can lead to bus accidents.
How Do I Determine Fault in a Bus Accident?
Bus passengers are rarely found at fault for bus accidents. The bus driver is a “common carrier” according to Civil Code 2168. Common carriers are responsible for the safety of their passengers. However, depending on the details of the accident and the type of bus involved, the driver may not be found liable in a lawsuit, even if they caused the accident.
The bus company is liable for the actions of their drivers in the case of vicarious liability, which states:
“Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, an employer is vicariously liable for his employee’s torts committed within the scope of the employment…
…the losses caused by the torts of employees, which as a practical matter are sure to occur in the conduct of the employer’s enterprise, are placed upon that enterprise itself as a required cost of doing business.”
In addition to bus companies, the most common liable parties in bus accidents are:
- Property owners
- Government entities
- Independent bus drivers
- Bus manufacturers
What Type of Compensation Can I Receive for a Bus Accident in Ridgecrest?
There is no specific amount you can receive for a bus accident, but you do have the right to be compensated for the damages you suffered. For this reason, it is important to discuss your claim with your attorney before accepting an insurance settlement. Establishing a relationship with a reputable attorney and filing a lawsuit is the first step in letting the at-fault party know you are aware of your right and you’re demanding fair compensation.
Once you have an active lawsuit, your attorney can help you understand the value of your case by determining the severity of your injuries, damages, and pain and suffering.
FAQs
Q: Can my insurance take a share of my injury settlement?
A: Yes, insurers have a contractual right to be reimbursed for the bills they have paid on your behalf after the accident.
Q: Can I still receive compensation if I’m found at fault?
A: Yes, California is a comparative fault state, meaning that even if you were found 30% at fault for the accident, your compensation would be reduced by 30%.
Q: Do I have to go to court to receive compensation?
A: No, you do not have to go to court to receive compensation. Most personal injury lawsuits settle out of court, in which case your attorney will collect your compensation from the insurance company and give it to you.
Contact a Ridgecrest Bus Accident Lawyer in California
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’re here to support the community of Ridgecrest and its accident victims with trusted legal counsel and a team of experienced attorneys prepared to fight on their behalf. 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.
