Bus crashes can injure passengers, drivers, people on foot, and others on the road. Since buses are large and heavy, a crash can cause serious harm even at lower speeds.
If you’ve been injured in a bus crash in El Segundo, CA, call J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers at (323) 284-2834 to schedule a free consultation. Our El Segundo bus accident lawyer can look into the crash, find out who was at fault, and help an injured person seek payment.
Why Choose J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a Bus Accident Case in El Segundo, CA?
Bus accident cases in El Segundo, California, can involve more than one person, company, or public agency. They may also have special rules and short deadlines, so it can help to review the crash early.
J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers has a strong record in personal injury cases—the firm offers:
- 20 years of combined experience
- Tens of millions of dollars recovered
- Top 100 Jury Verdicts 2024 in Los Angeles County
- Top 100 Jury Verdicts 2024 for Personal Injury in Los Angeles County
- Membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
The firm can gather evidence, deal with insurers, find the parties at fault, and seek payment for the client’s injuries and losses. Call our El Segundo personal injury lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.
What Causes Bus Accidents in El Segundo?
Bus drivers must safely handle large vehicles while watching traffic, stops, passengers, and people on foot. A careless act by the driver or another person can cause a crash.
Common causes of bus accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Tired driving
- Unsafe turns
- Failure to yield
- Following too closely
- Poor bus care
- Unsafe lane changes
- Dangerous road conditions
A bus company or public agency may also share fault in some cases. For example, poor driver training or a failure to fix a known bus problem may contribute to a crash.
Identifying the cause can help determine which parties should be included in the injury claim.
Who May Be Liable for a Bus Accident?
The party at fault depends on what caused the crash and who owned or ran the bus. Public buses, school buses, tour buses, airport shuttles, and private buses may involve different parties.
Those at fault may include:
- The bus driver
- A private bus company
- A public agency
- A school or school district
- A bus owner
- A repair company
- Another careless driver
More than one party may share fault for the same crash. An El Segundo personal injury attorney can review bus records and other evidence to determine who may be responsible.
What Evidence Can Help Prove a Bus Accident Claim?
Bus crashes may create records that are not common in regular car accident cases. Some of this proof may be held by the bus company or public agency.
Useful evidence may include:
- Police reports
- Photos and videos
- Witness statements
- Bus camera footage
- Driver work records
- Bus repair records
- Inspection reports
- Electronic bus data
- Medical records
Video can be very useful when a passenger is hurt inside a bus. It may show a sudden stop, impact, or other event that caused the injury.
Some records may not be kept for long. Acting early can help protect evidence before it is lost or deleted.
What Injuries Can Bus Accidents Cause?
Bus passengers may not have seat belts or other safety features found in cars. A crash or sudden stop can throw a person into a seat, a wall, a floor, or another passenger.
Common bus accident injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Head and brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Cuts and bruises
- Shoulder and knee injuries
- Internal injuries
Some injuries may require surgery or months of care. Medical records can help show how the crash affected the injured person’s health and daily life.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Bus Accident?
A person hurt because of someone else’s careless actions may seek payment for the harm caused by the crash. The amount depends on the injuries and other facts of the case.
A bus accident claim may include payment for:
- Medical bills
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income
- Pain and suffering
- Lasting injuries or disability
- Property damage
The value of a claim may also depend on how long the injuries last and whether the person can return to work.
What if You Share Fault for the Bus Accident?
California uses a pure comparative fault system, which means an injured person may still recover damages even if they share some fault for the accident.
Under California law, each person’s share of fault can affect how much they receive. For example, a person found 20% at fault may have their award reduced by 20%.
An insurer may try to place more blame on the injured person to reduce what it must pay. Photos, videos, witness accounts, and other proof can help show how the crash happened.
How Long Do You Have to File a Bus Accident Claim in California?
California generally gives an injured person two years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
However, claims against a public agency can have a much shorter deadline. Under the California Government Claims Act, a claim involving personal injury generally must be presented to the public agency within six months.
This rule can matter after crashes involving public buses or other government vehicles. Missing the claim deadline can harm a person’s right to seek payment.
Contact an El Segundo Bus Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
A bus crash may involve a private company, a public agency, or several other parties. Finding out who owned and ran the bus is an important first step.
An El Segundo bus accident attorney at J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers can look into the crash, gather evidence, and seek payment from those at fault. Contact the firm to discuss your legal options after a bus accident.