Century City Bus Accident Lawyer

Century City Bus Accident Attorney

Many people living and working in the Century City area rely on bus transportation, and school buses transport local children to and from school every day. While most bus passengers are able to reach their destinations without issue, some are not so fortunate. If you have recently been injured in a bus accident, you need to speak with a Century City bus accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your options for recovering your losses.

Helping Bus Accident Victims Recover in Century City, CA

The attorneys at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, have a strong reputation as a leading choice for personal injury counsel in Century City. We have helped many clients overcome extremely challenging civil claims for damages, including those arising from bus accidents. Whether you need to pursue compensation from a bus company, a bus driver, a school district, or a combination of liable parties, we can help you navigate your case proceedings with confidence.

It is unwise to attempt to handle any personal injury claim without hiring legal counsel. While it is technically possible to succeed with your bus accident case without an attorney’s assistance, doing so would be very challenging as you would contend with court filing deadlines and other procedural issues while managing your medical needs.

Even if you were to successfully prove fault for your damages, you could unintentionally settle for less compensation than you legally deserve. When you have an experienced Century City bus accident attorney representing you, they can streamline your case and significantly improve your chances of maximizing your recovery.

Proving Liability for a Bus Accident in Century City

The first challenge you will face in a bus accident claim is identifying the party or parties liable for the accident. Your case could pertain to a common carrier, which is any privately owned business that offers transportation as a paid service to the public. If you are filing a claim for damages against any government-controlled entity, this type of case is subject to special rules that require the attention of an experienced attorney.

Bus accidents happen for many of the same reasons that all other vehicle accidents occur. Most accidents happen because of negligence behind the wheel, or failure to exercise reasonable care. Distracted driving, speeding, and moving violations are common examples of this. Illegal misconduct, such as driving under the influence (DUI), can also result in a serious accident, in which case the defendant faces criminal prosecution along with liability for damages they caused.

Your Century City bus accident attorney can help gather the evidence you may need to correctly identify the party or parties responsible for your bus accident. This evidence may include traffic camera recordings, vehicle computer data, eyewitness testimony, physical evidence from the scene of the accident, and even input from expert witnesses. Once you identify the defendant responsible for the accident, you can proceed with recovering your damages.

Claimable Damages in a Bus Accident Case in Century City

The objective of any personal injury claim is to hold a defendant accountable for the damages they caused and to recover compensation for those damages. Under the state’s personal injury law, the defendant in a personal injury case has the right to claim compensation for:

• Medical treatment costs. If you suffered physical injuries because of another party’s actions, you have the right to seek compensation for all associated medical expenses. You can claim compensation for immediate medical expenses as well as future medical treatment costs if you require ongoing rehabilitative care.
• Property damage. If your vehicle or other personal property was damaged or destroyed in the accident, the defendant is responsible for all associated repair or replacement costs.
• Lost wages. When a plaintiff is too injured to work, the defendant responsible for causing their injury is liable for the income the victim cannot earn during their recovery period. This also applies to paid time off or vacation time the victim was forced to use after their accident.
• Lost future earning capacity. If your bus accident resulted in permanent disability, you may not be able to work in the future or may be forced to take a lower-paying job. You can claim compensation for lost future earning capacity from the defendant, and your attorney can help accurately calculate your total lost future income.
• Pain and suffering. You have the right to seek compensation for the physical pain, psychological trauma, and emotional suffering the defendant inflicted. There is no limit to how much you can claim, so this could form the bulk of your case award if you suffered severe injuries. Your attorney can help determine a reasonable amount that reflects the severity of your injury and how long it could take you to recover.

It is also possible for a plaintiff in a civil suit to receive punitive damages at a judge’s discretion. They cannot claim these damages directly, but a judge may award them when a defendant’s behavior has exceeded the extent of standard negligence or if they caused the accident through some illegal misconduct. It is important to note that if you are filing a civil claim against any government entity, your claimable damages are restricted in some ways.

Resolving Your Bus Accident Claim in Century City

The majority of civil claims for damages filed do not go to court. Most are resolved privately in settlement negotiations. During the settlement negotiation process, the defendant and the plaintiff meet privately with their respective attorneys to work out mutually acceptable terms for resolving the case. As long as both parties are willing to compromise, they can reach a conclusion in a fraction of the time that litigation would require.

However, if a settlement is not possible, the case will need to be resolved in court. If you litigate any personal injury case in the state, the judge will have the final say on the outcome. They will determine liability and appropriate compensation for the plaintiff after considering evidence and testimony from both sides of the case.

If you choose Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, to handle your bus accident claim in Century City, we will attempt to settle the case quickly, if possible, but we are fully prepared to litigate for you if necessary. The sooner you contact our team, the sooner we can start building a strategy for your bus accident case.

FAQs About Century City, CA Bus Accident Laws

Who Is Liable for a Bus Accident in Century City?

Much like any other vehicle accident in Century City, it is possible for one or more parties to share fault for a bus accident. Liability for your recent bus accident may fall solely to the bus driver or another driver who crashed into the bus you were riding. It is also possible for the bus company and/or a school district to bear liability for the accident. Your Century City bus accident attorney can help you identify each liable party in your case.

What Happens if a Plaintiff Shares Fault for Causing Their Injury?

California is a pure comparative fault state, meaning it is possible for a plaintiff to bear partial liability for causing their claimed damages and still recover compensation from the defendant. Their fault percentage will be taken from their final case award as a penalty, and they keep the remainder. For example, 25% plaintiff fault means the plaintiff loses 25% of the compensation won from the defendant.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Century City?

Bus accidents occur from the same causes as all other traffic accidents. A few of the most commonly cited causes of bus accidents in Century City and surrounding areas include distracted driving, speeding, moving violations, and DUI. Your Century City bus accident attorney can help determine the exact cause of your accident and identify the party or parties responsible for causing it.

How Much Compensation Can I Recover From a Bus Accident Claim?

The state’s personal injury laws enable the plaintiff in any personal injury suit to seek full compensation for all economic damages they suffered because of a defendant’s negligence or illegal misconduct. They also have the right to claim compensation for projected future economic damages as well as the pain and suffering they experienced from the accident. Your Century City bus accident attorney can estimate your case’s total value.

How Much Are Attorneys’ Fees for a Century City Bus Accident Attorney?

The majority of personal injury attorneys representing clients in the Century City area take these cases on a contingency fee basis. This means the client is only required to pay their attorney a fee if and when the attorney wins their case. Additionally, the contingency fee is a percentage of the total compensation recovered for the client, so the client faces no risk of paying more for legal counsel than they win in compensation for their damages.

Contact Heimanson & Wolf, LLP Today

The team at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, has successfully represented a wide range of vehicle accident claims on behalf of clients in the Century City area. We know the legal challenges you are likely to face as you seek compensation for your damages and will help you navigate your case successfully. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with an experienced Century City bus accident attorney to find out how we can help with your case.