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Wrongful Termination

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Jury Verdict in Los Angeles County Superior Court for a $15/hr employee fired only because she was a pregnant Mexican woman who needed a handful of days off to give birth to her baby. Click here to learn more about this case.

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Construction Accident

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$4,000,000 Arbitration win for a sales associate at a major retail chain for workplace sexual assault. Click here to learn more about this case.

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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.

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WE HANDLE A WIDE RANGE OF PERSONAL INJURY CASES, INCLUDING:

Bicycle Accident

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Birth Injury

Bus Accidents

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Car Accidents

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Catastrophic Injury

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Construction Accident

Dog Bites

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Medical Malpractice

Motorcycle Accidents

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Nursing Home Abuse

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Sexual Abuse

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.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS A PERSONAL INJURY?

Personal injury cases are some of the most common civil litigation cases—also known as “tort actions” or “lawsuits”—in the United States. They are filed by individuals who have experienced bodily injury, pain and suffering, and sometimes property damage in an accident caused by a negligent third party. These claims can also be filed for intentional harm or defamation of character by a third party.

DO I NEED TO HIRE A PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY?

While you are not required to have an attorney to file a claim, having an attorney can make a significant difference in your claim. A personal injury attorney has a deep understanding of the claims process and can help you navigate the complexities of the law. Your attorney can also help you level the playing field with insurers and can tell you whether you are receiving the maximum compensation to which you are legally entitled.

I HAVE BEEN INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT – WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

If you have been injured in an accident that was no fault of your own, there are steps you should take to ensure you are compensated for costs related to the incident. Taking quick action after your accident can profoundly affect your personal injury claim or lawsuit. After being involved in an accident, you should: Seek medical attention for your injuries, even if symptoms are not immediately apparent. Keep a record of your injuries and note any complications that arise because of your injuries. Report the incident as soon as possible after it occurs. Record detailed descriptions and notes about the facts of the incident. Keep receipts of medication and medical care you received Contact an experienced personal injury attorney in Los Angeles who can help you navigate your claim.

WILL MY PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM GO TO TRIAL?

Not all personal injury claims make it to court. In fact, a majority of injury cases are settled without having to litigate. What’s the difference between a settlement and going to trial? What are the pros and cons of each? There are two ways in which compensation can be awarded to you for your claim: through a settlement or by going to trial. There are pros and cons to each. When your claim is settled, the compensation for your claim is decided outside of court, usually through negotiations between lawyers.

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO FILE A PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM?

In California, you have two years to file a personal injury claim against an individual or non-government entity. If the injury is not immediately known, you have one year from the date the injury is discovered. If you’ve suffered injuries from an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you should act quickly to ensure you are able to recover compensation for your losses.

Notifying Insurance Companies

You should notify your insurance company and the responsible party’s insurance company as soon as possible after your accident. Most insurance companies request that you file your claim within 24 – 48 hours after your accident. When you file a personal injury insurance claim, you are requesting that the at-fault party’s insurance pay for the losses you suffered as a result of your accident, and the compensation amount is determined during negotiations. Seeking Compensation You can get financial compensation in two ways: filing a personal injury insurance claim or filing a personal injury lawsuit. Generally, compensation can be sought for two types of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are those with a measurable monetary value, such as medical expenses and lost wages. On the other hand, non-economic damages refer to losses that cannot be easily quantified, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress. It is important to understand the types of damages available in your case so that you can seek compensation for all of your related losses. Soon after your accident, contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney in Los Angeles who can explain the time limits to you and help you get the compensation you deserve.

ARE THERE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS NEAR ME?

Our firm is located in downtown Los Angeles. We can take all personal injury cases based in California.

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.

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If your claim has been denied or your attorney has decided to give up, reach out to our firm for a second opinion.