Riverside Bus Accident Lawyer

In 2018, a tour bus collided with a barrier on a Los Angeles freeway and rolled over, sending 25 injured passengers to the hospital. In 2016, 13 passengers were killed, and 31 were hurt near Palm Springs when their bus rear-ended a semi. A 2014 school bus accident in Northern California resulted in 10 fatalities. Even though bus accidents are not as common as car crashes, the fallout can be far more severe. When a driver, bus company or other motorist’s negligence has resulted in a bus injury accident involving you or your loved ones, take comfort in the fact that a Riverside bus accident attorney is available to help.

Bus Definition

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a bus is a motorized vehicle that can carry at least 10 passengers in addition to a driver. By this definition, not only city buses and school buses qualify but also large passenger vans and shuttles.

Liability

Liability in a bus accident depends upon the circumstances that led to the crash. If the bus driver neglected to pay attention to the road, that might indicate liability. Speeding, driving recklessly or ignoring traffic laws are also signs of driver liability. If a failure to maintain the engine or brakes caused the crash, the company owners are likely to be liable.

The crux of liability is whether someone’s negligence or intentional actions caused the accident, but bus accident liability can be complicated. If you are injured due to another driver, you must file a third-party claim for damages. If the driver of your bus is liable, your claim may be complicated by local governmental regulations as well.

For example, under the California Tort Claims Act, you have just six months after your accident to send notice to a liable government agency that you intend to pursue damages. If the government disallows the pending claim, your only recourse is taking the responsible agency to court.

A bus accident attorney is an excellent resource for determining liability. As your legal advocate, your attorney can make sure to file a claim within the mandated time frame and fill out any extra paperwork the government requires to move forward. Your attorney will argue your case in court if need be.

Statistics

With nearly a million buses registered in the United States as of 2015, it stands to reason that some of these large vehicles will be involved in traffic accidents, and the statistics bear that out. With just 0.4 percent of all U.S. traffic fatalities from 2006 to 2015 being school bus-related, according to NHTSA, busing your children to school is relatively safe. In addition, when a bus is involved in an accident, those outside the vehicle, whether pedestrians or other motorists are at higher risk of injury or death than bus passengers.

However, though buses are among the safest types of multi-passenger transport, they do have a few specific vulnerabilities. Due to their design, municipal and school buses alike are more prone to rollovers in a collision than other types of vehicles. Also, when an accident does happen, it has the potential to affect many more people than a car collision if the bus is carrying a full load. Riding a bus without seat belts raises your risk of injury should an accident occur too.

If you or a loved one have been the victim of a bus crash in Riverside, be sure to seek the advice of a bus accident attorney immediately. Keep in mind that California statutes of limitations apply in such cases.

Injuries

Bus injuries are similar to those you would sustain in any vehicle collision, but they may be more severe due to the risk of rollover and, in some cases, a lack of seat belts. Some of the most common bus accident injuries include:

• Cuts and abrasions
• Soft tissue damage such as whiplash
• Broken bones
• Burns
• Internal injuries
• Organ damage
• Traumatic brain injury
• Amputation
• Compensation

In many cases, determining fair compensation for your injuries is not a straightforward process. Depending on the type and severity of your injury, you may need to figure in future expenses as well as current medical costs. You may be facing an extended medical leave from work or even lifetime disability. Your attorney can help to ensure that your damage award is adequate to cover your current and potential losses.

Rizio Lipinsky Heiting of Riverside Can Help

At Rizio Lipinsky Heiting, we are experienced advocates for victims of bus accident injuries and wrongful death. We understand your concerns, and we know how to leverage California liability law in your favor. Get started today by submitting our contact form or call 1-888-292-8888 to schedule a free consultation.