Mendez and Sanchez - Bus Accident Attorneys in Montebello, California

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Have You Been Hurt in a Bus Accident?

Buses are a common site across California. Hundreds of thousands of passengers use buses each year to get from place to place. Some buses provide local transportation around a city and service commercial districts, while others use buses as their means to commute to and from work. Still others choose to ride on a bus as they travel out of state to see loved ones. Whatever the reason, California citizens are boarding buses in large numbers each year and that is a trend that is expected to continue in the coming decades.

Most of these individuals travel safely while aboard these buses but unfortunately, many sustain injuries every year in California bus crashes. Commonly these injuries are very serious, partially because passengers do not wear seat belts while riding on most buses. With several bus companies servicing Montebello and California in its entirety, it may not be surprising that these bus accidents account for many injuries every year and unfortunately some may result in death. If you suffer an injury, make sure to speak with a Montebello bus accident attorney ASAP.

What are Some of the Common Causes of Bus Crashes?

Bus drivers face a lot of the same challenges as any driver, plus a few other unique problems. Some common reasons for bus crashes involve:

• Driver distraction-- Motorists that pay more attention to their phones or various other electronic devices are more prone to collisions. Due to the number of passengers on buses, bus drivers also are more susceptible to passenger distractions than somebody operating a car.
• Driver fatigue-- Similar to a truck driver, bus drivers have a schedule to meet. This frequently means they work long hours without taking adequate breaks. The loud atmosphere of a bus can also wear on a driver.
• Speeding-- To make their scheduled stops, drivers may disregard speed limits or road conditions because of inclement weather.
• Vehicle maintenance-- An improperly maintained bus can crash due to a failing component.
• Insufficient training-- Too often, drivers do not have appropriate training on the safest methods for operating a bus. The absence of training or inadequate training can cause a driver mistake that can result in a crash.

What Injuries are Common in Bus Accidents?

As with any type of accident on Montebello roads, the injuries from a bus accident might partially depend on the speed of travel and the size of the other vehicle or vehicles in the crash.

The most prevalent injuries consist of:

• Fractures (broken bones) that require surgical repair
• Head and brain injuries
• Back & neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Scars and lacerations
• Wrongful Death

What Legal Rights are Available to a Bus Accident Victim?

As a bus accident victim, the law might offer you several civil claims to pursue. The cases available will rely on the circumstances of a particular accident and who is at fault in the accident.

At-Fault Third Parties

If another motorist causes a collision with a bus while you are an occupant on that bus, you might have a claim against the other driver for your injuries. If the other driver does not have sufficient insurance coverage available for all of the injuries sustained in the crash or if the other motorist has no insurance available at all, you may also have a right to bring an uninsured or underinsured claim against your own insurance company or the bus company itself, if there is UM coverage available.

At-Fault Bus Driver

On the other hand, if the crash is due to a negligent bus driver and you were either a bus occupant or in another vehicle, you may have a claim against the bus driver and the bus company. This is true even if the bus owner is a municipality, like a city bus used for public transportation.

Safety Defects on a Bus

Finally, if the accident is caused by some defect in the bus itself and not by actions of any drivers, you may have a claim against the:

• Manufacturer of the bus
• Seller of the bus
• Owner/operator of the bus
• Anybody that performed negligent maintenance while servicing the bus

Any bus driver that is injured in a crash might also have a claim for worker's compensation for their injuries.

The possibility of so many claims makes a bus crash case complicated and complex. Often the more vehicles involved in the accident, the more complex the claim( s). This is a reason that when selecting a bus accident lawyer in Montebello, you want to select one with experience prosecuting personal injury claims.

What Do I Do After I'm Involved in a Bus Crash?

You might be rattled and in a state of shock after being involved in a bus crash. But there are a few important things that you should do before leaving the scene:

• Call 911
• Get witness information
• Seek medical care
• Call a bus crash lawyer

How Much Can I Recoup Financially After a Bus Crash?

The amount of money you may collect after a bus accident will depend a great deal on the extent of your injuries. In general, you may recoup the costs of your:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship
• Lost earning capacity
• Damages caused by irreversible disability or disfigurement

Families who have lost a loved one in a Montebello bus crash may also collect for any treatment their loved one received before passing away as well as compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages. Speak with an experienced Montebello bus accident attorney to learn all of your options.

Have You Been Hurt in a Montebello Bus Accident?

The Montebello bus crash lawyers at Mendez & Sanchez will strive to help you receive the financial recovery that you deserve. Bus crash damages might consist of: medical costs, disfigurement, pain and suffering, loss of normal life, loss of income, and more. We also seek to recover present and future expenses when defending an accident victim.

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OUR BUS ACCIDENT AND PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS IN MONTEBELLO ARE AVAILABLE 24 HR A DAY TO TAKE YOUR CALL. FOR A FREE CONSULTATION, CALL US OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE.