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Every day, people throughout Los Angeles County rely on public transportation – especially buses – to get around. Buses help relieve the congested traffic of our roads and highways and are an environmentally friendly mode of transportation. Unfortunately, given their size, buses can cause serious devastation when involved in an accident.
If you or someone you love was involved in a bus accident in any capacity and suffered injuries, we want to hear from and help you. Our Los Angeles bus accident lawyers at Levin & Nalbandyan, LLP can investigate the accident, prove liability, and build a strong claim on your behalf.
COMMON CAUSES OF BUS ACCIDENTS
Buses are designed and built with passenger safety in mind. Even so, automobile accidents are an unfortunate reality and a common occurrence on the roads and freeways of Los Angeles.
Our firm has handled cases involving bus accidents caused by:
At Levin & Nalbandyan, LLP, we represent any party who has been injured in a bus accident, including passengers, bus drivers, pedestrians, and drivers who have been struck by a bus. From school children, senior citizens, everyday commuters, to other drivers on the roads, we are prepared to represent clients from all walks of life pursue just compensation for their injuries.
TYPES OF BUS ACCIDENT IJURIES
Given the sheer size and weight of a bus, accidents can lead to severe, catastrophic, and sometimes even fatal injuries.
Common bus accident injuries include:
If you are involved in a bus accident, one of the first things you may ask is who can be held liable for your injuries. Depending on the situation you might be able to hold one or more parties liable for your injuries including the bus driver, the bus company, a government entity, or the bus manufacturer.
When can a bus company or other party might be held liable for a person’s injuries:
Determining liability or who can be held legally responsible for your damages can be challenging without the help of a qualified attorney. It is imperative to discuss your case with an experienced bus accident lawyer who knows the law and can fight to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation allowed.
In California, a bus accident victim may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages. An attorney can help estimate the total amount of damages you should request.
Economic damages are monetary losses that can be easily verified or calculated. Medical bills, lost wages, and the cost of repairs to your vehicle are common forms of economic damages.
Non-economic damages are more subjective losses that are considered non-monetary including compensation for emotional distress, loss of society or companionship, and pain and suffering.
Some of the most horrific accidents involve Greyhounds and other tour buses. Because these buses usually carry a large number of passengers and travel long distances, the results can be catastrophic.
Unfortunately, the cause of many of these accidents is driver fatigue or inattention. Greyhound and tour bus operators may be required to drive overnight to arrive at their destination. Exhaustion can quickly lead to devastation for dozens of passengers and other motorists.
School children can be particularly vulnerable to accidents because they are unrestrained in the bus. Even a minor accident can cause serious injury or death to young kids that are unable to wear seat belts.
In addition to injuries that occur on the bus, many school children are injured when they are loading and unloading. If your child is injured while riding a school bus, it may be the school board or another government entity that can be held responsible for your losses.
There are several public bus fleets in Los Angeles including the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Metro buses, City of Los Angeles Transportation (LADOT) Dash buses, and the Flyaway bus service.
If you are involved in a public transportation bus accident in Los Angeles, you need to act quickly as you only have a limited amount of time to file a claim for damages. Whether you were a passenger, pedestrian, or another motorist injured in the accident, you should always speak to an attorney.
ENLIST THE SUPPORT OF LEVIN & NALBANDYAN, LLP
In the wake of a bus accident, you could be suffering serious and potentially life-changing injuries. With these injuries come medical bills, time out of work, and a slew of other unexpected expenses. The good news is that you do not have to face this alone.
With our Los Angeles bus accident attorneys on your side, you will be positioned for a successful resolution from the moment we take on your case. We fight tirelessly to help our clients recover the maximum compensation to which they are entitled.
Buses, as with other common carriers, are required to be insured under state law. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has additional requirements for “For-Hire Carriers” depending on the number of passengers that the vehicle is designed to transport.
While there are certain exemptions including school buses, most commercial vehicles designed to carry 16 or more passengers are required to carry $5,000,000 in liability insurance. Buses designed to carry 15 or fewer passengers are required to carry $1,500,000 in insurance.
Since every bus accident case is unique, there is no average amount that a claim is worth. However, in order to receive the largest recovery possible, it is in your best interest to consult with a bus accident lawyer.
Unrepresented injury victims often end up settling their case for significantly less than it is worth. It is essential to avoid making any written or recorded statements until you have retained legal counsel. Without the help of an attorney, you might not receive full and fair compensation for your case.
Under California law, you have two years from the date of the bus accident to file a case based on personal injury. However, if you are filing a claim against a government entity you may have as little as six months. Failure to file a case within the statute of limitations can result in your claim being denied.
Bus accident cases are often complex, involving multiple parties and several insurance companies. The sooner you contact an attorney to determine your legal options, the more likely you will receive a favorable outcome in your case.
“At the offices of Levin & Nalbandyan you get the help from very professional people like Harry Nalbandyan and his team. They work with you, they know what they are doing and they get things done.”
