Irvine Bus Accident Lawyer
Whether you hop on the Irvine CONNECT shuttle, your child rides an Irvine Unified School District bus, or you board a Greyhound bus and travel south, bus travel is cheaper and safer than other forms of transportation. Unfortunately, bus accidents do occur, and if you are injured in one, you could be affected for a long time.
If the bus driver caused the accident, you are entitled to compensation for your economic and non-economic losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, emotional and psychological trauma, and loss of consortium. But getting compensation can seem confusing, because the rules are different depending on whether the bus is owned privately or by a government entity. Our Irvine bus accident lawyer cuts through the confusion and targets the parties responsible to get you the money you need. A personal injury attorney is ready to support your case.
Bus Accidents Caused by Negligence
Most people feel safe with a bus driver at the wheel because they require additional training and must pass the commercial driver’s license test to operate larger vehicles. If a bus driver negligently injures a passenger, pedestrian, or other motorist, the driver, and possibly employer through vicarious liability, could be liable for compensating injured parties.
Negligence is determined by the actions of the accused, who is expected to drive the bus matched to the standard of a reasonable bus driver. If actions fall below that standard, and an accident occurs because of it, injuries sustained are generally compensable. Other defendants that could be liable for bus accident injuries include:
- The City of Irvine if an Irvine CONNECT shuttle is improperly maintained, causing an accident
- A private bus line such as Greyhound if the company fails to ensure the driver is properly credentialed and trained and passes a background check
- A church shuttle bus driver who violates traffic laws and causes a crash
- The manufacturer of a defective part causes the bus to crash and injure passengers
An Irvine bus accident attorney could reconstruct an accident, gather evidence, ensure the elements of negligence are met, and build a strong case against all responsible defendants.
City and School Bus Accidents and the Government as a Defendant
All government entities, including Orange County and the City of Irvine, have sovereign immunity against most claims because governments exist for the benefit of the people, not for profit, as evidenced by the Irvine CONNECT shuttle, which is free to residents. Large lawsuit payouts would erode that concept. However, if a city, county, or school district bus drive causes an accident and people are injured, state law allows those injured to collect restricted damages.
Those injured in a public bus accident should consult an Irvine injury lawyer who understands the unique rules associated with suing the government. Our attorneys are experienced in this process and can assist you whether your claim is against the city, county, or private transportation service.
Minimum Insurance for Busses Under Federal Laws
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets rules for how much insurance transport vehicle companies, including buses and trucks, must carry to compensate those injured in accidents because of driver errors. Buses transporting more than 15 people are required to carry at least $5 million in liability insurance. Shuttle buses carrying fewer than 15 passengers are required to carry a minimum of $1.5 million in liability insurance. Our Irvine attorney could explain how mandatory insurance coverage could benefit a bus crash claim.
An Irvine Bus Accident Attorney Advocates for Appropriate Compensation
Bus accidents often cause catastrophic injuries, especially if passengers are involved because a multitude of people could be injured. Negligent bus drivers, their employers, other motorists, bus manufacturers, and service personnel could be responsible for injuries to others. The challenge is that public and private bus companies adopt different methods of resolution.
Holding a party responsible depends on who caused the accident, if the bus company should be held vicariously liable, and whether the bus owner is a government entity. An Irvine bus accident lawyer tirelessly seeks the answers so you are appropriately compensated. Call now to start your claim.
