Pasadena Transit provides public transportation to over 130,000 people throughout 9 bus routes that operate within the city. With so many buses running their services every day of the week, the chances of a bus accident occurring are higher than one would think. According to a Large Truck and Bus Crash summary report conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 178,604 reported crashes in 2023, with 173,742 suffering from non-fatal injuries. While bus accidents are dependent on a variety of factors, if you or a loved one have been injured in an accident, a bus accident attorney can help them recover damages from the accident.
At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Pasadena bus accident lawyers are well versed in the California court system and are ready to handle your case with the care and respect that it deserves. Whether you have been injured by a negligent bus driver or by a complex bus crash with multiple parties involved, our team of attorneys are confident that they can get you fair compensation for your losses.
We have recovered over $1.7 billion in financial compensation to our clients and our lawyers will do everything in their power to ensure that the responsible party will be held accountable for their actions. In addition, our dedicated team of attorneys will be there every step of the way to answer any legal question and concern you may have regarding your case.
We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or by filling out our quick online contact form.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Pasadena
There are many different factors that can contribute to a bus crash, but from what is typically seen in Pasadena, drunk driving, driving errors, and defective parts are the most common. So if you are filing a claim with a personal injury lawyer, it is important to understand the different types of causes in order to get a better grasp of your situation.
Drunk Driving
According to a Global Road Safety report conducted by the CDC, 28% of all fatal crashes in the U.S. resulted from drunk driving. While most bus drivers do not drink and drive, many buses are susceptible to other drunk drivers on the road because they are a larger target and can’t make sudden moves to avoid a crash. Bus accident victims who have been struck by a drunk driver can pursue legal action for their injuries, however, if the driver of the bus was intoxicated then the bus company can be sued on top of the driver for not preventing such a scenario to occur.
Driver Error
Driver errors are referred to as reckless or negligent actions such as speeding and distracted driving. According to a data chart conducted by the National Safety Council (NSC), speeding was a factor in about 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2021, and the NHTSA’s Put the Phone Away or Pay campaign has recorded that 8% of all fatal traffic accidents are caused by distracted drivers. These types of errors are frequent in traffic accidents due to the fact that it can happen to anybody and even if you are attentive on the road, the chances of getting hit by a distracted driver is just as likely.
Defective Parts
One of the more rare causes of bus accidents, defective parts can easily result in a bus accident especially if there is dense traffic or poor weather conditions occurring. If bus operators are not conducting routine maintenance checks, then the chances of an incident occurring is very likely.
This is not strictly limited to city buses, in fact, school buses, tour buses, intercity buses, and private buses all need to make sure their buses are in good condition or else bus companies can be held responsible for any injuries or accidents that occur. Depending on the defective part that caused the accident in question, maintenance companies can be held liable for any negligent duty that has resulted in a tragic accident.
Who Is Liable in a Bus Accident?
Determining a liable party in a bus accident can become a difficult process depending on the nature of the accident. However, according to section 2100 of California’s Civil Code, a bus driver and a bus company are required to give passengers the โutmost care and diligence for their safe carriage” and if they break that duty of care then they can be held liable for any bus accident injuries that occur.
The only exceptions to that rule is unless the bus was not properly maintained by the manufacturer or the affiliated maintenance company or if there was a third party that was reckless or negligent in their actions. If you believe that there is a certain party that is mostly, if not entirely responsible for the accident, you must acquire evidence for a personal injury attorney in order to prove your case.
How Is Liability Determined in California?
In California, liability is determined by whoever has caused the accident in question. However, according to California Civil Code 1431.2, California follows a pure comparative negligence system which alters the total awarded compensation to accident victims based on how responsible they were in causing the accident. Meaning that if the victim is partially responsible for an accident, then it will affect how much compensation they can ultimately receive.
How Much Can I Receive for Being Injured in a Bus Accident?
The total awarded amount in a bus accident case will be dependent on several factors such as the severity of the sustained injuries and the scale of the damage that it has caused. If a person has suffered severe injuries with long-term health complications such as paralysis or a traumatic brain injury, then they are eligible anywhere between the six to seven figure range to accommodate the high medical bills that are associated with these types of injuries. However, for more minor to moderate injuries, those can land anywhere between the five to six figure range.ย ย
How Long Will It Take to Resolve a Bus Accident Case?
Bus accident cases will vary on a case-by-case scenario and it can take anywhere between several months to a few years to resolve. It may take longer to resolve if the victim has suffered severe injuries or if there is a dispute in determining liability, however, most bus accident claims tend to be settled before it reaches court in order to save everyone time and money.
West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help
If you or a loved one were a victim of a bus accident due to someone else’s negligence then you may be able to file a personal injury claim and recover damages for your injuries. As filing a bus accident claim can be a confusing and difficult experience for those who are unfamiliar with the law and the legal system, it is important that you hire an experienced bus accident lawyer who can help guide you and inform you of all of your options.
At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Pasadena bus accident lawyers are ready to take on your case and serve as your trusted legal counsel. We are a personal injury law firm with over 20 years of legal experience and our team of personal injury attorneys are confident that they can get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
We have recovered over $1.7 billion in financial compensation for our deserving clients and we will continue to guide them and let them know all of their legal options in order to get them the best results. No one should suffer catastrophic injuries in an accident and we will be there every step of the way to ensure that all of your legal needs are met and satisfied.
We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE consultation today, we welcome you to reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or by completing our easy online contact form.
