Abogado de accidentes de autobús de California

California Bus Accidents Cases: What Types of Damages Are Awarded?

California offers public transportation to provide people with reliable and convenient commutes. However, a bus does not have enough safety measurements set in place to reduce the likelihood of having a passenger sustain severe or fatal injuries in the case of a bus accident. A public bus does not have seat belts and may require passengers to stand if no seats are available. This can be worrisome since the passengers are not equipped with any protection.

If you were a victim of a bus accident and would like to pursue legal actions against the party at-fault for your injuries and damages, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our qualified California bus accident attorneys have over 60 years of collective legal experience in handling personal injury cases. With our track record of recovering more than $1 billion in settlements for our clients, we are confident that we will get you the compensation you deserve.

To schedule a free consultation, please contact our 24/7 legal team by calling 213-927-3700 or filling out our quick contact form.

Types of Bus Accidents

Public Transportation Accidents
A public bus can be managed by a city, county, state, or other form of regional authority. If a negligent bus driver caused a bus accident, the victim may file a claim against the negligent bus driver and the government entity that is in charge of operating the bus line.

When a claim is made against the government, the victim is required to present it within six months of the initial date of when the accident took place. If the victim is unable to submit the claim before the deadline, they will no longer qualify to acquire recoverable damages.

Tour Bus Accidents
California is a hotspot for tourism, especially in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. Tour buses are usually filled with tourists who are interested in roaming popular cities to learn about its history and culture. The tour bus driver is required to maintain a good pace that will allow tourists to indulge in what the city has to offer. If the tour bus driver is committing unlawful actions, such as speeding or ignoring traffic laws, they will be held accountable for any damages caused in a bus accident.

A tour bus company can also be held accountable for a bus accident if they failed to follow legally mandated duties, such as properly inspecting the tour bus or hiring qualified tour bus drivers.

Bus Stop Accidents
People who have sustained injuries at a bus stop will be eligible to file a personal injury claim against the party at-fault for their losses. A majority of bus stop accidents have been caused by negligent drivers. It is the victim’s responsibility to gather convincing evidence to prove that the driver was liable for damages. The three elements of negligence that must be presented in a personal injury claim include the following:

• The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care;
• The defendant breached their duty of care; and
• The plaintiff suffered injuries and damages due to the defendant’s negligent actions

The location of a bus stop could also be dangerous. For example, a bus stop was placed in an area where several serious or fatal accidents have been reported. A bus stop being located in such a dangerous spot could increase the likelihood of more injuries and deaths. The government agency in charge of planning the placement of this bus stop could be involved in a personal injury claim for allowing a bus stop to continue its services in an area that greatly affects the safety of others.

What Damages Can You Recover in a California Bus Accident Claim?

If you are a victim of a bus accident, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim to acquire recoverable compensation. You will need to seek legal assistance from an expert California bus accident attorney. They will evaluate your case to determine what economic and non-economic damages you should be awarded.

Economic damages are intended to compensate a plaintiff for losses that a dollar amount can readily be attached to. It is calculated by determining the amount of out-of-pocket losses an aggrieved individual has or will expect to incur as a result of their injuries. A few examples of economic damages include medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity.

Non-economic damages are intended to cover losses that are thought of as subjective and will not necessarily cover out-of-pocket losses. This may include compensation for loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.

The third type of damages a California court may award is known as punitive damages. Punitive damages are intended as punishment and are only awarded when a defendant’s behavior is especially harmful.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you have sustained injuries as a result of someone’s negligence or deliberate acts of malice, you have the right to hold the guilty party responsible for your losses. Our California bus accident attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers can recover compensation for the losses you have suffered.

Contact us today by calling 213-927-3700 or filling out our quick contact form to schedule a free consultation with our experienced, caring, and compassionate legal team.