At Maison Law, we represent bus accident victims in Visalia. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a bus accident due to a careless driver, the accident attorneys at Maison Law are here to get you the help you need. Whether you were a passenger of the bus, a pedestrian, or in another vehicle, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Bus Accident?
Bus accidents can be complex, especially when assigning legal liability to multiple “at-fault” parties and knowing the proper steps to make a claim for compensation. If you’ve suffered serious injuries in a bus accident, it is advisable to seek the counsel of a reputable accident attorney to help you navigate the legal complexities of personal injury law.
Let’s say one morning you’re driving through Sequoia National Park and a Visalia Transit Bus happens to drift into your lane of traffic as you come around a sharp turn. There’s no way to avoid it and you get into a wreck. From this situation, there are a number of factors to consider such as:
- Did the driver drift because they were careless
- Did the bus drift due to a defective part from the manufacturer
- Did a previous, passing car cause the driver to swerve into your lane
- Did the bus company hire an unqualified driver, which resulted in an accident
- Was there preventable maintenance the bus company failed to attend to
An experienced attorney will be able to investigate each of these possibilities and determine the at-fault party of your accident, which could result in multiple parties owing you compensation.
What Types of Vehicles are Considered Busses?
There are many different types of buses traveling across Visalia, but if you’ve been injured in a bus accident, the type of bus responsible for the accident plays an important role in your compensation because liability could fall to:
- A university
- A local or state government
- A business
- A personal bus driver, or mobile home owner
The most common types of buses include:
- City buses
- Government buses (federal, state, county)
- School buses
- Feeder buses
- Coach, intercity, or long-haul buses
- Larger vans
- Commuter buses
- Mobile trailers or homes
If you’ve been injured in a bus accident in Visalia and you’re unsure what you’re next steps should be, contact the accident attorney at Maison Law for a no-cost consultation and case evaluation.
How Does a Lawfirm Prove Liability in a Bus Accident in Visalia?
To prove liability an experienced accident lawyer investigates all potential at-fault parties, collects evidence, and builds a case to show who is specifically at fault. It is also the attorney’s job to know the laws that apply to buses on a federal, state, and local level, so their findings are backed by the judicial system.
In California, buses are considered “common carriers,” which is a business that transports people or goods for a fee. Common carriers are held to a higher safety standard according to the California Civil Code, which states:
“A carrier of persons for reward must use the utmost care and diligence for their safe carriage, must provide everything necessary for that purpose, and must exercise to that end a reasonable degree of skill.”
What Compensation Can I Expect to Receive from a Bus Accident?
It is difficult to know the specific amount of compensation you can receive from a bus accident because every case is different. However, the more severe your damages are, the more compensation you can typically expect to get. Damages include:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage and loss-of-use of vehicle
- Retraining or re-education for job placement if you have suffered a disability from the accident
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death
- Loss of consortium (for the spouse to claim loss of love and companionship)
- Mental trauma
Proving your damages is a coordinated effort between you, your attorney, medical staff, and accident reconstruction experts. If you have questions about the value of your case, contact Maison Law for a no-cost consultation and case evaluation today.
FAQs
Q: How long do bus accident cases take?
A: Bus accidents can typically take longer than most vehicle accidents because they are more complex and involve a large number of plaintiffs and defendants.
Q: How long do I have to file a claim for a bus accident?
A: 2 years. In California, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim.
Q: Does my insurance report accidents to the DMV?
A: In most cases, no. It is up to you to report any accidents to the DMV.
Contact a Bus Accident Lawyer in Visalia
If you or a loved one have been injured in a bus accident, the experienced accident attorneys at Maison Law can get you the compensation you need. Navigating the legal complexities of a bus accident can be a nightmare, but it doesn’t have to be. Maison Law protects victims of bus accidents in Visalia by negotiating fair settlements and advocating on their behalf in a trial.
Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
