Mendez and Sanchez - Bus Accident Lawyer in Pasadena, California

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Buses are a common site across California. Hundreds of thousands of passengers use buses every year to travel from place to place. Some buses offer local transportation around a city and service commercial districts, while others use buses as their way to commute to and from work. Still others decide to ride on a bus as they travel out of state to see family or friends. Whatever the reason, California residents are boarding buses in large numbers every year and that is a pattern that is expected to continue in the coming years.

The majority of these citizens travel safely while aboard these buses but unfortunately, many suffer injuries each year in California bus accidents. Commonly these injuries are very severe, partially because passengers do not use seat belts while riding on most buses. With a number of bus companies servicing Pasadena and California as a whole, it might not be shocking that these bus accidents account for many injuries annually and unfortunately some may result in death. If you sustain an injury, be sure to speak with a Pasadena bus accident lawyer ASAP.

What Are Some of the Common Reasons for Bus Crashes?

Bus drivers experience many of the same challenges as any motorist, plus a few other unique issues. Some common causes of bus crashes involve:

• Driver distraction-- Drivers who pay more attention to their phones or other electronic devices are much more prone to crashes. Due to the number of occupants on buses, bus drivers also are more prone to passenger distractions than somebody operating a car.
• Driver fatigue-- Much like a truck driver, bus drivers have a schedule to meet. This often means they work long hours without taking sufficient breaks. The loud environment of a bus can also wear on a driver.
• Speeding-- To make their scheduled stops, drivers may disregard speed limits or road conditions due to inclement weather.
• Vehicle maintenance-- An improperly maintained bus can crash due to a failing component.
• Inadequate training-- Too often, drivers do not have proper training on the safest methods for operating a bus. The absence of training or poor training can lead to a driver mistake that can result in a crash.

What Injuries Are Prevalent in Bus Crashes?

Just like any kind of accident on Pasadena roads, the injuries from a bus crash can partially depend on the speed of travel and the size of the other vehicle or vehicles in the collision.

The most common injuries include:

• Fractures (broken bones) that need 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 Crash Victim?

As a bus crash victim, the law may offer you one or more civil cases to pursue. The cases available will rely on the circumstances of a specific crash and who is at fault in the crash.

At Fault Third Parties

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

At Fault Bus Driver

On the other hand, if the accident is due to a negligent bus driver and you were either a bus occupant or in another vehicle, you might 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

Lastly, if the collision is caused by some defect in the bus itself and not through actions of any drivers, you might have a claim against the:

• manufacturer of the bus
• seller of the bus
• owner/operator of the bus
• anybody who performed negligent maintenance while servicing the bus

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

The possibility of so many claims makes a bus accident case complicated and complex. Often the more vehicles involved in the collision, the more complicated the claim( s). This is a reason that when selecting a bus crash lawyer in Pasadena, 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 need to do before leaving the scene:

• Call 911
• Obtain witness information
• Seek medical care
• Call a bus accident attorney

How Much Can I Recover Financially After a Bus Crash?

The amount of money you might receive following a bus crash will depend a lot on the seriousness of your injuries. In general, you may recoup the costs of your:

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

Families who have lost a loved one in a Pasadena bus accident can also collect for any care their loved one sustained before dying in addition to compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages. Talk to a knowledgeable Pasadena bus accident attorney to learn all of your options.

Have You Been Injured in a Pasadena Bus Accident?

The Pasadena bus accident attorneys at Mendez & Sanchez will work to help you receive the financial recovery that you are entitled to. Bus accident damages may consist of: medical costs, disfigurement, pain and suffering, loss of normal life, loss of income, and more. We also aim to recover present and future costs when defending a crash victim.

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OUR PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS IN PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY TO TAKE YOUR CALL. FOR A FREE CONSULTATION, CALL US OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE.