We expect people to drive safely, and accidents involving public transportation are not something we expect to happen. But a bus accident can affect many people, including bus passengers and people in other vehicles. After a bus accident, you may have injuries, expenses, and damages.
To recover compensation, hiring an attorney with experience in handling these kinds of accidents keeps your case on track and ensures you hold the liable party accountable for your losses. A Simi Valley bus accident lawyer from Greenberg Gross can assist you with your case.
Injuries and Impact of Bus Accidents
Buses are large vehicles, so when one is involved in an accident, it can have dramatic consequences. Many people can be impacted by a bus accident, including the following:
- The bus driver
- Bus passengers
- Pedestrians or cyclists
- Drivers and passengers of other vehicles
If you were in any of these positions, you may have experienced injuries and damage to personal property. Catastrophic injuries can result in long-term disabilities and drastic changes to your life. For example, you could suffer a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury resulting in life-long disability. In severe cases, bus accidents can also result in the death of accident victims.
Even in cases without disability or death, injuries from a bus accident can take ample time to heal. That healing process can be painful and uncomfortable to manage.
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What Compensation Can I Get in a Simi Valley Bus Accident Case?
Compensation will depend on who was responsible, the involved insurance companies, and the extent of your accident damages. Compensation should cover accident costs, such as medical bills and lost income. Hopefully, it means you aren’t paying large amounts out-of-pocket and using up extensive savings because of what happened.
Compensation can also include non-economic damages. For example, your experience and its aftermath can cause physical and emotional pain and suffering. Compensation can take these intangible factors into account as well.
Who Will I Get Compensation from?
Often, the personal actions of drivers will contribute to a bus accident. Still, other factors may also be at play, like poor bus driver training, unsafe bus employer practices, or poor bus maintenance. More than one group may pay compensation in a bus accident case.
Compensation comes from the individual or group whose actions caused the accident. This could include the bus driver, the government entity in charge of the bus services, a manufacturer, or another driver. An accurate assessment of the situation can help determine who may be responsible and the extent of the damages.
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Should I Work With a Bus Accident Lawyer on My Case?
A bus accident lawyer will have experience helping with cases similar to yours. They will handle the details of your case within the appropriate deadlines. They manage the tough paperwork and negotiations with insurance companies and those responsible for the bus accident.
A bus accident lawyer will take into account what happened and work to assess what damages and costs you have experienced because of the accident. From here, they will try to get you a compensation amount that adequately covers your expenses.
At Greenberg Gross, we understand that handling the aftermath of a bus accident can feel overwhelming. We want to make things easier for you and help get you the compensation you deserve.
How Long do I Have to File a Bus Accident Lawsuit in California?
In most personal injury cases in California, you have two years to file a lawsuit, per CCP § 335.1. You also have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This deadline will apply if you are using certain parties involved in the bus accident. For example, suppose you were on the bus, and another driver hit the bus. If you file a lawsuit against that driver, the two-year deadline will apply. Similarly, the two-year deadline will apply if you file a lawsuit against the bus manufacturer.
However, since bus transportation services are often in the public domain, the deadline for filing a lawsuit may come much sooner if your case is against the bus driver, their employer, or those overseeing the bus transportation system.
Under California law, you have six months to pursue a claim against a public entity or employee, per GOV § 911.2. In the case of a municipal bus accident, you would have six months from the accident date to file a claim against a negligent bus driver or their government employer.
Key Steps to Take After a Bus Accident
Stay calm and focus on your immediate needs right after a bus accident. Make sure you and those around you are safe. You can call emergency medical services for help, including helping people get to the hospital for immediate treatment. Getting checked out yourself is a good idea since medical professionals can diagnose your injuries and prescribe appropriate treatment.
The exchange of contact information and clear documentation will also be helpful. You can take photos and videos of where the bus accident happened and document all damages and injuries. You can also get the contact and insurance information of involved parties, including the contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident. In reporting the accident, be factual about what happened, including the sequence of events and the resulting losses.
Because you have a minimal window for taking action against a government entity, it can be wise to seek legal help right away after your accident. An attorney can help you take legal action within the deadlines and improve your peace of mind about your next steps.
Begin Your Simi Valley Bus Accident Case Today With a Consultation
The injury attorneys at Greenberg Gross are ready to hear about what happened in the bus accident in Simi Valley. We’re ready to answer your questions and review your case’s details. If we can help, we’ll strive to get you the best possible outcome for your case. You can contact us to begin a consultation.
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