Bus Crash Lawyer

In the State of California, there are more than 100 transit agencies that provide transportation services. There are also dozens of private companies that provide other alternatives for transportation. If you were injured in a bus crash, contact a law firm that has experience in this unique area of the law.

The best firm will be one with lawyers that handle bus crash cases and have the support staff to handle your case from start to finish. Here is a look at how bus accident cases work and how to find the best bus crash lawyer to help you with yours.

How They Understand the Unique Nature of Bus Crash Cases

A bus crash is unique from the average car accident because it often involves many different parties and intricate areas of the law. If you are riding in a bus for school or public transit, the government is likely the driver’s employer.

If the state is the employer, you may have a cause of action against the government. Long before that driver ever gets behind the wheel to work, the State of California has the responsibility of vetting their driving history and training them properly.

The bus driver is acting as an agent for the government when they are working in their official capacity. If the state agency that hired the driver fails to take reasonable steps to train them or learn about questionable driving history, you may have a cause of action for negligent hiring or retention.

These causes of action are in addition to any others you may have against other at-fault parties in your crash. 

If They Offer Legal Options

You have two primary options after you are involved in a bus crash. One option is to settle out of court with each at-fault party and their insurance company. The other alternative is to file a lawsuit and resolve your case in the court system.

Although a government agency or private company operating a bus service may have an insurance policy, an individual driver may not. When you meet with an attorney to discuss your case, they will speak with you about the pros and cons of each option.

They will also discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your claims under California law. This will give you a better feel for how best to proceed after your crash. 

A Bus Crash Lawyer Must Have Trial Experience

You may want to settle your case before going to court but the parties can’t reach a fair resolution. In that situation, you must file a lawsuit to continue pursuing your claims.

In bus crash litigation, there are many areas of state and federal law that can come into play. That’s because these laws govern how a bus may operate on roads and highways.

Although many civil cases end with a pre-trial settlement, the law firm you hire must have experience handling these cases and going to court. Qualified attorneys will be familiar with expert witnesses and know how to represent your interests most effectively.

Even if the chances of a trial are low, a legal team of attorneys sends a strong message to the other side that you are serious about your case.

Capabilities to Establish Liability

You establish the liability of the defendant by proving the elements of a cause of action in your bus crash case. The most common cause of action is a claim of negligence against each at-fault party. The elements of a negligence claim are:

Duty

You must establish that a defendant owed you a duty of care. Most commonly in tort law, this is a duty to act as a reasonably prudent person under the circumstances. For example, when a bus driver is operating their bus, they should abide by all posted speed limits on the roadway.

Breach 

You will also have to present evidence that the defendant breached the duty they owe you while operating a bus. For example, if a bus driver is speeding at the time of your crash, this is evidence they breached their duty to drive at a safe speed.

Causation 

The element of causation may be highly contested in your particular accident. You must establish a connection between what a defendant did or neglected to do that led to the injuries you suffered. 

Damages

In the State of California, you may have economic and non-economic damages because of your bus crash. Economic damages are those like medical bills or mechanic’s shop invoices to repair your vehicle. Non-economic damages are items like pain and suffering and loss of consortium with your spouse. Both types can be claimed and compensated for in a lawsuit.

Finding a Bus Crash Lawyer

The bus crash lawyer you hire is one of the most important decisions you will make after your accident. That’s because when you pick a law firm, you are hiring a group of professionals to advocate on your behalf.

Since you only have one chance to file a lawsuit against all at-fault parties involved in your crash, this must be done the right way. At Alpha Accident Lawyers, our attorneys and legal staff are dedicated to representing your legal interests most effectively.

We are a personal injury law firm that specializes in representing victims injured in bus crashes, as well as car and truck accidents. Contact us today to learn more about our legal services and to set up a free consultation.