Bus Accident Attorney
Southern California’s public transit system may not be the most well-designed compared to transportation on the East Coast, but many people depend on local bus systems for their commute. However, as more resources are devoted to improving the public transit infrastructure and more buses are put on the roads, there will be more bus accidents.
As with any car accident on a road or highway, there can be many causes of a bus crash. Causes of bus accidents often include:
- The bus driver’s negligence
- Hazardous conditions on the road
- Negligence by other drivers
- Mechanical failures of the bus or other vehicles
- Dangerous weather conditions
Widespread Injuries from Bus Accidents
Bus accidents can be more disastrous than accidents involving just passenger vehicles. First, they carry more passengers than a car, so bus accidents can inherently injure more people. Second, because buses are larger than the average vehicle on the road, they have greater potential to cause damage to more vehicles and to nearby property. As a result, passengers in other vehicles are at a risk of injury in addition to the buses’ own passengers. Pedestrians and motorcyclists are also in danger of severe injuries in bus accidents.
All bus accidents are different and can result in different injuries. Minor bus accidents can lead to spinal cord injuries, but major accidents can lead to burns, catastrophic injuries, and even death. According reports in 2014, there were 189 fatalities from accidents involving buses. The most common victims killed by bus accidents are pedestrians (28%) and people in passenger cars (26%).
Who Is Liable for Injuries from Bus Accidents?
Buses are legally “common carriers,” meaning that the bus driver and bus company must take great care toward their paying passengers. When bus accidents happen, it is most likely not the fault of a passenger, so the bus company will often be liable.
Depending on the type of bus involved in an accident, there will be multiple different parties and companies who may all be held liable. Bus accidents involve three categories of buses:
- Intercity buses, which specialize in long-distance travel
- Transit buses, which are geared toward local commutes
- School buses, which take students to local schools and other events farther away
Accidents involving public buses could find local government authorities liable, while private companies could be liable for other bus accidents. Understanding who is responsible and liable for your injuries can be complex, so you should contact Bus Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles who will fight for you to recover all you are owed.
Our Experienced Attornyes in this Area
If you or a loved one was injured in a bus accident, contact a personal injury attorney to help you. Schedule a free initial consultation with our experienced Bus Crash Lawyer. Contact the Law Offices of Eslamboly Hakim in Los Angeles County. Call 800-LAW-TALK (529-8255) or contact us online.
Sharona Eslamboly Hakim is the principal of the firm.
