The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that bus transportation is remarkably safe, but these giants still have accidents. In addition to the public bus service offered by North County Transit District (NCTD) and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), you will also see school buses, charter and tour buses, and privately owned buses. Bus accidents can cause injury to passengers on the bus, occupants in vehicles colliding with a bus, or pedestrians struck by a bus.
You might be entitled to compensation if you suffer injuries in a bus accident. Bus accidents may include many complex variables, and it might benefit you to seek the assistance of our San Diego bus accident lawyers. The bus accident team at Greenberg Gross is knowledgeable in pursuing personal injury claims and can fight for the compensation you deserve.
Understanding Compensatory Damages
Bus accidents may fall under criminal or civil court. The driver or bus company may face criminal charges if criminal negligence is involved. For purposes of injury compensation, we will pursue compensation through a lawsuit filed in civil court.
Most injury cases settle before reaching court. Suppose the bus company, driver, or representatives offer you a pre-court settlement. In that case, you will decide to accept the agreement for compensation or move ahead in civil court. You may seek two general types of compensation – economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover compensation based on your actual expenses. All costs you experience from the bus accident fall in this area. Some examples include:
Medical costs, including:
- Ambulance transportation
- Emergency room treatment
- Related hospital costs, including hospitalization
- Medical devices, such as wheelchairs and prosthetics
- Surgical procedures
- Medications
- Home modifications, if necessary
- Follow-up treatments
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Diagnostic tests, including lab work, x-rays, and MRIs
Your compensation for medical procedures will also include estimated costs for future or continuing treatment for your injuries. These costs will be included if you require in-home care or placement in a rehabilitation facility.
Loss of wages, including:
- Lost wages due to an inability to work
- Lost commissions and bonuses you would have qualified for
- Job retraining if you are required to switch jobs
- The difference between what you will earn moving forward, versus what you were able to earn before the accident
In some cases, home maintenance costs, such as yard work and general upkeep, may also be included if your injuries prevent you from performing these tasks.
Non-economic Damages
When any accident occurs, some damages have no monetary equivalent. This category of compensation is considered non-economic damages. A San Diego bus accident attorney will help you assign a value to things such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium or companionship
- Loss of joy
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Amputation
Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one is never easy to deal with. It can create additional hardships for your family when it happens suddenly. If your family lost a member in a bus accident, please allow us to extend our heartfelt condolences. If you are dealing with losing a loved one, consider consulting our San Diego bus accident lawyer to discuss potential wrongful death compensation for your family.
Compensation can assist with the final medical expenses incurred after the accident. Our bus accident team can also fight for compensation to cover the funeral and burial costs, loss of wages, loss of companionship, and loss of parental guidance. A free consultation with our team will allow you to explore a wrongful death case.
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Factors That May Affect the Amount of Compensation You Receive
The type of compensation you seek and the amount you receive varies depending on a variety of factors, including:
- Your injuries
- The prognosis for recovery
- Lost wages and medical costs
- The severity of the accident
- Emotional trauma from the accident
- Continuing medical treatment required
- Lost income if you are permanently disabled
When you consult with our San Diego bus accident team, we will evaluate every aspect of your claim to determine all areas of compensation you might receive.
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When a Bus Crashes into Your Car
When automobiles share the road with buses, we expect the bus drivers to be competent, responsible, and aware of other vehicles on the road. When there are lapses, accidents can happen. Due to the difference in size, the passenger vehicle usually receives the brunt of the damage.
The bus company is responsible for ensuring its drivers’ safety qualifications. They could be held liable for any accidents caused by the driver or poor bus maintenance. Compensation could be awarded for injuries, wrongful death, property damage, and non-economic damages for passengers in vehicles hit by a bus.
When You’re a Passenger on a Bus
Most buses do not have seat belts or other passenger safety restraints. As a result, when accidents happen, passengers can get thrown around the cabin. Some common injuries for bus passengers can be:
- Whiplash
- Bruises
- Broken bones
- Cuts, scrapes, and abrasions
- Sprains and strains
- Head trauma
Passenger injuries in serious crashes can be fatal. If you have injuries from a bus accident, discussing them with a bus accident lawyer might be beneficial. Our team will outline your options and can assist in determining if your injuries are severe enough to pursue additional compensation.
Types of Bus Accidents
Bus accidents can involve many types of buses, including:
- Passenger buses
- Shuttle buses
- Tourist and charter buses
- School buses
- City buses
Determining the Cause of a San Diego County Bus Accident
Buses stop frequently, and the routes run through congested traffic areas. Because of their size and limited maneuverability, severe damage can result when they have accidents. Bus accidents may have many causes, including:
- Inattentive driver
- Driving under the influence
- Driving tired
- Poor maintenance practices
- Inadequate training
- Poor hiring practices/screening
When our bus accident team evaluates your claim, they will look at every aspect of the accident to determine the cause, which helps to establish who is liable.
Who Are the Liable Parties?
The liable party or parties are those responsible for causing an accident and injuries. The liable parties in a bus accident can include:
- The bus driver
- Owner of the bus
- Another vehicle driver
- Bus maintenance personnel
- Manufacturer of the bus
- The organization that hired the bus service
During an investigation into the cause of your bus accident, our team will work to discover all liable parties. When there is more than one responsible party, we will fight to get you compensation from all of them.
Our Lawyers Are Here for You After a Bus Accident
If you’re ready to begin seeking compensation, our San Diego bus accident lawyer is willing to fight for you. The team at Greenberg Gross will evaluate your case, determine the cause of the accident, find the liable parties, and fight on your behalf. Contact our team to begin your free case evaluation.
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