At BoyesLegal APC, we fight to protect the rights of bus accident victims in San Jose California. Traveling by bus is relatively safe; however, accidents involving public buses, charter buses, and school buses are not uncommon. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a bus accident, you deserve just compensation.
Our legal team has comprehensive knowledge of common carrier law and a proven history of achieving positive outcomes. When you meet with us, an experienced bus accident attorney will handle your claim and fight to protect your rights. Contact our office today to get started. Your initial consultation is free, and there is never a fee until we recover for you.
Causes of a Bus Accident
Bus accidents in California are usually the result of someone’s negligence, such as:
- Distracted driving is a leading cause of most traffic collisions. In the case of bus accidents, bus drivers using smartphones or GPS navigation or talking to passengers can become distracted.
- Speeding is inherently dangerous. However, bus drivers must follow strict schedules and may be penalized for falling behind their timetable, leading them to speed.
- Driver fatigue is common because bus drivers often work long shifts, navigate heavy traffic, and cover long distances. Fatigue can impact a bus driver’s ability to maneuver the bus or respond to traffic conditions.
- DUI is illegal in every state. A drunk or drugged bus driver puts passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists at risk of catastrophic and fatal injuries.
- Improper maintenance can occur when bus companies and municipalities fail to properly maintain their vehicles, including braking systems, steering columns, lights, and other mechanical parts.
- Mechanical defects may be the fault of bus manufacturers and parts suppliers that provide and deliver defective products.
Regardless of the reason for the bus accident that caused your injuries, our legal team will work to identify the responsible parties, hold them accountable, and get you just compensation.
What Is Common Carrier Law?
Buses offer transportation to the public in exchange for a fee, which means bus companies and operators are subject to common carrier law. As common carriers, they must exercise the highest degree of care and vigilance for the safety of passengers. Failing to do so is considered negligence. Examples of negligence include:
- Speeding
- Driver fatigue
- Maintenance failures
- Tire failures
- Inadequate bus driver training
In short, a common carrier can be liable for accidents resulting in personal injury or wrongful death.
Determining Liability in a Bus Accident
Bus accidents claims are challenging because several liable parties may be involved, including:
- Bus drivers – A bus driver must operate a vehicle in a manner reasonably expected of commercial bus drivers. A bus driver may be found negligent for failing to obey traffic signals, speeding, DUI, or acting in a way that falls below the required standard of care.
- Private bus companies – As an employer, a private bus company can be held vicariously liable for the driver’s negligence or for its negligence, such as by not maintaining the bus.
- Public entities – Public buses are funded by the government. Before you file a lawsuit, you must first file a notice of claim with the public entity that manages the bus system. Although school buses are also government-funded, private contractors typically operate them and can be held liable for accidents resulting in injuries to children, adult aides, pedestrians, and other motorists.
- Bus manufacturers – A bus manufacturer or distributor may be liable for product liability if an accident results from manufacturing or design defects.
- Other drivers – Suppose another motorist may have caused or contributed to the bus accident. Your claim may involve that driver, the bus driver, and the operator.
At BoyesLegal, we will leverage our investigative capabilities to determine liability for the bus accident that resulted in your injuries.
Types of Bus Accident Injuries
Buses have compartmentalized, high-back seats and elevated seating locations that are said to make buses safer than passenger vehicles. In California, all drivers and passengers on commercial buses must wear seat belts. Although school buses with a 16-passenger capacity manufactured after 2005 must have seat belts, only a small percentage have them.
In any event, bus passengers are at risk of injuries in a collision, such as:
- Lacerations and bruises
- Broken bones
- Neck and head injuries
- Muscle and ligament tears
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Organ damage
- Loss of limb
- Wrongful death
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a bus accident in San Jose, you can depend on us to help you obtain the medical and financial resources you need, now and in the future.
Damages We Will Fight For
Being injured in a bus accident can be overwhelming. Let BoyesLegal sort through the details of your claim and help you recover damages such as:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitative costs
- Lost wages – present and future
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability/disfigurement
- Replacement services
- Loss of enjoyment of life
You can depend on us to stand by you every step of the way and fight to protect your rights.
Contact Our Experienced San Jose Bus Accident Attorney Today
If you or a family member has suffered injuries in a bus accident, BoyesLegal, APC can help. We handle all injury claims on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing to us until we recover for you. Contact our office today for a free evaluation of your case.