Beverly Hills Bus Accident Lawyer

Beverly Hills Bus Accident Attorney

More traffic accidents occur in Beverly Hills that involve buses than most people realize. Whether a public transportation bus, a tour bus, a Greyhound bus or similar, a school bus, or a private-use bus, such as an airport transport service, most of the time, these vehicles are carrying a number of passengers and are very large in size. Thus, the impact of these types of accidents can be quite severe, not to mention scary for all those involved.

If you were injured in a bus accident, you need an experienced bus accident attorney if you plan to file a personal injury claim against whoever was at fault. With the help of a professional, you may be able to max out your settlement.

The legal team at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, is a reliable personal injury lawyer with compassion for clients and an experienced understanding of state laws regarding personal injury claims. When necessary, we provide incomparable litigation services and apply a team-based approach in the courtroom to secure each of our clients the settlement that they deserve. When you need the help of a Beverly Hills bus accident attorney, Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, can demand accountability on your behalf because everyone has the right to a safe ride.

How Are Bus Accidents Different From Car Accidents?

What makes bus accidents so serious is that the drivers of buses are known as “common carriers” in California, and they are required by law to use special care when driving buses. This is because they have the extra responsibility of transporting multiple passengers at once, and they are getting paid to do so. Bus drivers have more stress than other drivers, such as

• Route schedules
• Frequent stops
• Passenger distractions
• Fatigued driving
• The additional pressure of driving such a large vehicle

They must be extra careful when juggling all of these factors at once, all while driving.

To make matters worse, many bus drivers are not properly trained with all the necessary skills to handle this level of stress while driving, nor are they often reminded, if told at all, about the importance of being dutifully diligent in their task of driving the bus. Reminders like taking care to obey all traffic laws and watching for signs of fatigue are important things that many bus drivers don’t hear enough. As a result, accidents happen, and when a bus driver or the company that employs them fails to abide by their lawful and mandated duties, they can both be liable for damages caused by their negligent operation of the bus or business. Most bus accidents involve a negligent bus driver who is speeding and/or making an improper turn. Some common issues that bus companies and/or bus drivers are often cited for when involved in an accident are:

Bus companies:

• Failure to inspect the bus properly
• Failure to repair bus issues
• Failure to properly train drivers
• Failure to supervise or check drivers

Bus drivers:

• Failure to obey traffic laws
• Failure to report maintenance issues with the bus
• Distracted driving
• Driving while fatigued
• Driving under the influence
• Speeding

Types of Bus Accident Injuries

Due to the layout of a bus, the most common types of injuries are related to the parts of the bus and the shape of its structure. Furthermore, it doesn’t help that there are no seat belts on most buses, especially school buses. Some of the most common injuries that passengers incur as a result of bus accidents are described below.

• Broken bones – Many bus passengers involved in a bus accident incur broken bones when a bus is crushed. While, in most instances, these breaks are not serious and are relatively minor, more complicated injuries may require corrective surgeries. In the worst cases, victims experience permanent disability.
• Lacerations – Due to the structural design of a bus, the windows, benches, and poles become dangerous to passengers during a crash when they break or become dislodged, as they present sharp edges inside and outside the bus. Most of these cuts heal quickly and may require stitches, but deeper cuts can cause severe damage to tissues underneath the skin. Permanent scarring is possible, and victims may even need plastic surgery.
• Internal injuries – Organ punctures and internal hemorrhaging are possible injuries to passengers involved in bus accidents. These can be very serious and may lead to death if they are not treated properly and swiftly.
• Head, neck, and spine injuries – Many injuries that result from bus accident injuries are to the head, neck, or spine. Bus passengers are particularly vulnerable to injuries in these areas due to the impact that they might experience upon collisions with other vehicles. Some common bus accident injuries related to the head and spinal area include a broken neck or back, a concussion, a traumatic brain injury, or even paralysis. Many of these injuries heal over time, but many don’t. The most serious of these types of injuries can significantly affect a person’s life thereafter.
• Psychological and mental illness effects – Psychological injuries occur when someone experiences a traumatic event, such as a bus accident. Some examples of these injuries include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or anxiety. These types of injuries require treatment, and sometimes long-term therapy is required. Thus, they can affect an individual for many years, long after the accident occurs.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Benefit Your Case

Having a personal injury attorney assist you with your bus accident injury case can make navigating the count system significantly easier and can potentially optimize your final award settlement. Below are some specific ways that Beverly Hills bus accident attorneys can improve the process and outcome of your claim.

Help You Understand the System

State laws regarding personal injury claims and settlements are often complicated. A personal injury attorney can explain your rights and the laws to you as they relate to your injury and your case.

Help Establish Liability

If it is necessary to prove liability, a personal injury lawyer can conduct an investigation to gather and examine evidence and information, which can help determine who was at fault. These attorneys know forensic professionals who can attest to the responsibility of the party at fault for the causation of the accident, whether it be a negligent bus driver, another careless driver, or some other party involved in the accident.

It may also be necessary to medically prove that the injuries incurred were in fact caused by the accident in question. Personal injury lawyers have a vast network of medical professionals who can evaluate your case and testify on your behalf. They can confirm that you suffered physical harm due to the accident and as a result of someone else’s careless behavior.

Help With the Court Timeline

Personal injury attorneys can help you adhere to the dates and deadlines of your case. They can also assist with submitting documents, petitions, and evidence to the court in a timely manner and within the time restraints of the court.

Help Value Your Settlement and Negotiate With the Insurance Company

Because the goal of a personal injury claim is to recover compensation for damages incurred by the accident, a personal injury attorney can work hard to recover whatever they can in the final settlement. When an injury causes a victim to miss work and lose wages, or suffer from a diminished income and general pain and suffering, they have a right to be compensated for the full amount.

FAQs About Beverly Hills, CA Bus Accident Laws

How Much Compensation Do You Get for Whiplash?

The average settlement for a minor neck injury, or whiplash, in a personal injury claim in California ranges between $2,000 and $8,000. If the neck injury is more severe and requires special or prolonged treatment, such as injections, physical therapy, or surgery, the settlement may be as high as $40,000.

Where Is the Safest Place to Sit on a Bus in Case of an Accident?

When locating a safe seat on a bus, find a seat in the middle of the bus on the side of the bus that is farther away from head-on traffic, which is the right side of the bus. Also, choose an aisle seat rather than a window seat to position yourself in the safest place in case the bus is involved in an accident.

How Long Will It Take to Get Paid for a California Personal Injury Settlement?

Once the at-fault party receives a signed release from the victim, releasing the at-fault party of further responsibility and serving as a promise that no further legal action will be taken, victims can expect to receive a check within about six weeks. An experienced personal injury attorney can give you a better idea of the timelines involved in your case.

Is There a Statute of Limitations for Bus Accident Claims in California?

If you were injured on a public bus in California, you have six months from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Otherwise, in most cases, nonpublic bus accident injury victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim.

Hiring a Beverly Hills Bus Accident Attorney

If you were involved in a bus accident in Beverly Hills or Los Angeles, you should discuss your eligibility to file a personal injury claim with an experienced and established Beverly Hills bus accident attorney. You may be entitled to compensation for any injuries, loss of wages, or pain and suffering that you experienced as a result of the accident. Contact Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, and talk to a personal injury attorney regarding your case today.