Maison Law helps injury victims in Stockton. For a lot of people in the city and surrounding area, a San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) bus is their primary means of transportation. While this is convenient, it also raises the chances of an accident, either as a passenger or a driver of your own car. Our team at Maison Law can help you through this situation. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.
Why Would You Need a Lawyer?
Legally speaking, a bus accident is the same as any other type of accident in Stockton. This gives you legal rights, but in real-world terms, it’s quite different. At the same time though, you only need a lawyer if your situation is more serious. Unfortunately, if you’re in an accident with one of these vehicles, there’s a good chance you could be seriously injured.
For minor accidents, a lawyer might not be necessary. But in most bus accidents, serious injuries are common, even for passengers. If this happens, it’s a good idea to contact us. We can help by:
- Explaining your rights
- Investigating the accident
- Determining who’s at fault
- Guiding you through the legal process
Bus accidents often cause serious harm to passengers, including children and the elderly, making them particularly tragic. Because bus accident cases are more complex than regular car accidents, it’s important to have a dedicated, experienced team to handle them. And one of the first things we can do is help you understand who’s responsible for the accident.
Who’s Responsible For an RTD Bus Accident?
A San Joaquin RTD bus is owned and operated by San Joaquin County, specifically through the Downtown Transit Center. This means that when there’s an accident, there’s a number of parties that could share responsibility:
- Bus driver – If the driver was speeding, distracted, or breaking traffic laws, they could be responsible for the accident. Their negligence is a major factor in your claim.
- San Joaquin RTD – Since the driver is likely an RTD employee, the RTD could be liable. This includes failing to train or supervise the driver properly or neglecting bus maintenance.
- City of Stockton or San Joaquin County – If poor road conditions, bad signage, or infrastructure issues contributed to the accident, the city or county might be at fault. They could be held responsible if they failed to maintain roads or traffic signals.
- Manufacturers – If the accident was caused by a defect in the bus or its parts, the manufacturer of those parts could be liable. This covers faulty brakes, steering, or other crucial components.
- Other drivers – If another driver’s actions caused or contributed to the accident, they could be held liable.
- Passengers or pedestrians – In rare cases, if a passenger or pedestrian’s actions contributed to the accident, they might also share some responsibility.
Knowing who is responsible helps in filing damage claims. If multiple parties are involved, you’ll need to file claims with each one and handle different insurance companies. This makes things more complicated, but also means you can recover more in damages.
What Damages Can You Get in an RTD Bus Accident Claim?
It’s upsetting to think about, but the reality is that an RTD bus accident often leads to significant changes in your life. The nature of most of these accidents means injuries, ranging from:
- Cuts and bruises
- Muscle and ligament tears
- Concussions and brain injuries
- Broken bones or fractures
- Burns
- Emotional and psychological trauma
Fortunately, the law allows you to seek “damages” through insurance claims or lawsuits. Though it can be a lengthy process, you may recover damages for:
- Medical expenses and ongoing care needs, like physical therapy
- Lost income or earning potential from missed work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Wrongful death expenses in fatal accidents
Remember, you only have two years to file a claim for damages in California. This means it’s very important to act quickly, but also to prepare. Part of this preparation is looking into how and why these accidents happen.
What Makes Bus Accidents Involving San Joaquin RTD Different?
While bus accidents involving the San Joaquin RTD are legally similar to other accidents, they have specific differences.
San Joaquin RTD buses are designed to transport many passengers across various routes, including urban and suburban areas in Stockton and San Joaquin County. This means they are bigger and carry more people than regular vehicles, making accidents more serious and complicated. Some of the key factors that are unique to San Joaquin RTD bus accidents include:
- Crowded routes – RTD buses often operate in high-traffic areas and busy routes in the city and county, especially during certain times of the day.
- Weather conditions – RTD buses face diverse weather conditions across different routes.
- Fatigue – Long shifts or high-stress environments can lead to driver fatigue.
- Training and experience – Issues related to driver training or experience specific to RTD operations.
- Maintenance and repairs – RTD buses may face issues with maintenance and repairs.
- Design – Specific design aspects or safety equipment used in RTD buses.
- Passenger loads – Overloading or managing large numbers of passengers can impact safety.
Again, the main factor that makes bus accidents different from normal accidents is the level of injuries they can cause you. Most of the time, this means your recovery hinges on what you can get from the legal process. So then, it’s necessary to have the strongest claim you can.
What Can You Do to Strengthen Your RTD Bus Accident Claim?
After a RTD bus accident, whether you’re a passenger or driving your own car, it’s crucial to do certain things that protect your health and will also eventually strengthen a potential claim. It’s all about getting the necessary information and evidence you’ll need to begin with. So, here’s what you should do:
- Take care of your health – Call 911 for medical help immediately, even if you don’t feel injured. Get a thorough check-up at an urgent care or emergency room as soon as it’s safe.
- Tell authorities about the accident – Contact either the Stockton Police Department or San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office to report the accident. They will help document the scene and create an accident report, which is important for your claim. Also, it’s a good idea to tell the RTD’s administration about the accident.
- Collect information and evidence – Gather contact and insurance details from the bus driver, other involved parties, and witnesses. Take pictures and videos of the accident scene, damage to your vehicle or property, and any injuries you can see.
- Get documentation – Keep records of all medical treatments, accident-related expenses, and communications with insurance companies. This is vital evidence for your losses.
- Be careful when talking about the accident – Avoid making statements or signing anything without consulting with us first. Insurance companies might use your statements to reduce your payout.
RTD bus accidents often result in more severe injuries than typical accidents, which can make these steps more challenging. Lean on our team for support and guidance throughout the process.
Contact Maison Law After a San Joaquin RTD Bus Accident
Whether you’re a passenger on a San Joaquin RTD bus or involved in an accident with one, it can be very scary. But you’re not alone. Our skilled Stockton personal injury lawyers at Maison Law know the difficulties you’re facing and will guide you through every step of the claims process. If you or a loved one has been injured in one of these accidents, contact us today for a free consultation.
