Can I sue a bus company for my injuries? Yes. The Santa Ana Bus Accident Lawyers of Bisnar Chase have over 45 years of experience and have retained a 99% success rate for injury victims. Our clients know that we will go to bat for them and are not merely attorneys who “settle cases.” We are Orange County trial lawyers and have taken thousands of cases before a jury.
Bus accidents are not as common as other types of motor vehicle or truck accidents. But, they can be devastating when they do occur.
In addition, buses are increasingly becoming an option for commuters who wish to save time and money. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus crash, an experienced bus accident attorney in Santa Ana can help you better understand your legal rights and options.
Questions to ask your bus accident lawyer
- How much do bus accident lawyers charge?
- Have you handled bus accident cases like mine before?
- How much compensation do you get for a bus accident?
- How long does it take to get paid for a bus accident lawsuit?
- Will you go to go trial if necessary?
These are all very critical questions to ask an injury lawyer specializing in bus accidents when you meet because you want someone who has the knowledge and experience to handle commercial bus accident claims.
Call 949-203-3814 for a free consultation.
Santa Ana Bus Accident
Top-Rated Bus Crash Lawyers in Santa Ana
Get the help of a top-rated Santa Ana bus crash lawyer who will fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.
With over 100 years of combined experience advocating for injured victims, Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys has earned a reputation as one of California’s premier law firms specializing in personal injury and wrongful death cases.
Our track record of securing over $800 million for clients is a testament to our legal skills and dogged determination to win justice and maximum compensation, even in the most challenging cases against negligent corporations and insurance companies.
- Litigator of the Year
- Best Law Firms in America
- Top 1% Trial Lawyers
- Top 10 Best Attorneys
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers
It is obvious why so many Californians who have suffered from auto accidents, defective products, and other accidents trust Bisnar Chase to provide top-notch legal representation when you consider our experience and stellar client reviews praising our compassion, communication, and legal counsel.
Do’s and Don’ts in Your California Bus Accident Case:
- A personal injury lawyer can help you navigate a complex legal system and get the compensation you deserve.
- Don’t wait to hire a lawyer too long after a bus accident. The sooner you act, the better your chances of getting a fair settlement. There is a strict deadline in California to file. Typically, two years from the date of the accident.
- Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you. Get the help of an injury lawyer who will protect your interests and create a winning strategy.
- Choose an accident attorney familiar with bus crashes and how to win them.
- Our legal team has decades of experience litigating difficult bus crash cases.
- Our lawyers have won over $800 million with a 99% success rate.
Compensation For a Bus Accident
Your case’s compensation will depend upon many factors, including the seriousness of your injuries, loss of income, loss of personal property, and other factors.
In general, you may be able to recover compensation for the following damages:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Future care if perm. disabled
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Punitive damages (if eligible for gross negligence)
- Economic and non-economic damages
Bus accident injury claims can range from a few thousand to 7-8-figure settlements and verdicts. Your Santa Ana bus accident lawyer will be able to give you more specific information in terms of financial compensation once your case and the accident evidence are reviewed.
What Should I Do After a Bus Accident?
- Call emergency services. To report any significant injuries, dial 911 right away.
- Make a report to the police. For your insurance claim, the police report is crucial. Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses, as well as the other drivers who were witnesses to the collision.
- Seek medical attention. Visit a doctor to evaluate your health, even if you don’t believe you have been injured. Specific symptoms, including internal bleeding, might not be immediately noticeable.
- Collect proof and evidence. Photograph the accident scene, including the damage to the involved vehicles. Collect the defendant’s driver’s license, VIN, and license plate information along with their insurance company information.
- Open an insurance claim. Get in touch with your insurance company and submit a claim as soon as possible, but do not give information to the insurance company until you’ve gotten legal advice.
A bus crash attorney in Santa Ana can assist you in making a claim, settling with the insurance provider, and obtaining reimbursement and compensation.
How Much Does a Personal injury Attorney in California Cost?
In California, the current rate is approx. 33% of your winnings, and you are not required to pay up-front costs for your bus accident case. The attorney will collect his fees from your settlement.
We advance all costs in your personal injury claim and work to get medical providers to accept medical liens. We often reduce your medical bills overall so that you keep more of your settlement. On average, plaintiffs collect more from hiring an attorney than from handling the process alone.
Common Injuries From a Bus Accident
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal organ injuries
- Lacerations and puncture wounds
- Amputations
- PTSD, anxiety
- Severe bruising
- Whiplash
- Severe sprains and strains
Other minor injuries can occur from the crash, and you should receive a complete evaluation from your doctor to make sure you don’t have any lingering injuries. Be sure to keep your lawyer informed if you begin experiencing further symptoms after your bus accident. Continued treatment may be necessary.
Dangers of Public Transportation in California
Accidents involving buses, trains, trams, and other forms of public transportation can lead to severe injuries or even fatalities for passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists involved in the collision.
- Inadequate upkeep of railways, buses, or trains
- Inadequate security staff
- Drinking and driving
- Driving when distracted
- Fatigue and distracted driving
- Lack of experience or training
- Infrastructure defects or damage
- Mechanical failures
- Negligent hiring
- Human error
- Weather conditions
Santa Ana Bus Accident Statistics
Every year, buses carrying millions of passengers, including tourists and children, are involved in catastrophic crashes. In heavily populated areas of Orange County, such as Santa Ana, more and more commuters use rapid transit and public transportation. Commuters and college students are favoring transit buses. Below are the numbers of crashes, injuries, and deaths that occur from bus incidents.
In 2020, there were 1,190 bus accidents reported in California, according to the California Highway Patrol and SWITRS. This resulted in 32 fatalities and 898 injuries.
Over the past ten years (2010–2019), there have been an average of around 1,100 bus crashes per year in California. We calculated the 10-year averages and percentages based on looking at aggregate SWITRS data over that time period.
On average, bus accidents account for around 1.5% of total crashes in California each year.
Common causes of bus crashes include speeding, reckless driving, improper turns, failing to yield right of way, and driver distraction or error.
School buses are involved in around 15-20% of overall bus crashes in California. Most of these occur during the morning and afternoon transport of students.
The highest annual bus accident rates are in urban metro areas like Los Angeles and San Francisco, then San Diego, Sacramento, and other significant cities, according to the CHP.
Rear-end collisions and sideswipes with other vehicles are the most common type of multi-vehicle bus crashes in California.
Bus rollovers are rare, accounting for less than 5% of bus accidents. They are more likely to occur on rural roads or highways. Bus rollover statistics are based on national bus crash data and NHTSA research on rollover frequency.
- According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, California, New York, and Florida had the greatest number of bus accidents from 2004 to 2018.
- The total fatalities nationwide for 2018 showed an increase of 3.4 percent from the prior number of 354.
- In 2018, 466 people were killed in bus accidents. Of those, six were bus drivers, and 86 were passengers on the bus. Other vehicle drivers and passengers represented 48.9 percent of 179 fatalities.
Bus Operators' Duty of Care
Public transportation has increasingly become an option for commuters who wish to save time and money. However, the unfortunate fact is that as more people have started to take buses, the number of injuries and deaths resulting from bus accidents is also on the rise.
It is the legal responsibility of all bus operators to transport their passengers safely. This is known as the bus operator’s “duty of care”; Bus companies have the highest “duty of care”; to their passengers – more than what they have toward other motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians.
Suppose a bus accident occurred because of the company or the driver’s negligence. In that case, the bus operator can be held liable for the injuries and damages that occur as a result of such negligence. This also applies to school buses.
Minors who were severely injured in a Santa Ana bus accident can have a better chance of earning compensation if:
- at the time of injury, students were owed the duty of care
- the injury could have been prevented
- the driver or school has violated the standards of safety
Bus Accident Causes in Santa Ana
It is best to seek legal representation from a expert Santa Ana bus accident lawyer to get the damages you deserve. Knowing what caused the crash can help you better understand what you deserve in terms of compensation as well. There are a number of reasons why bus accidents may occur.
The common causes include:
Bus driver negligence
When a bus driver is impaired, distracted, or fatigued, it can be hazardous not only for passengers but for others on the roadway as well. Bus companies are responsible for hiring qualified drivers and conducting random testing for alcohol and drug use.
Bus drivers are also required under federal law to maintain a log of the hours they work to ensure that they get adequate rest. Drowsy driving was a factor in some of the most devastating bus accidents in United States history.
Poor bus maintenance
Aging buses and a lack of proper vehicle maintenance can cause serious problems. Brake failure, tire blowouts, and transmission failure can result in major bus accidents. It is the responsibility of the bus company to service and maintain its fleet correctly.
Defective products
If a defective bus product causes an accident, the product manufacturer can be held liable. Victims may be able to file a product liability claim seeking compensation.
Dangerous roadways
Steep hills, tight curves, and large potholes can pose significant bus hazards. When a poorly designed or maintained roadway causes a bus accident, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held liable for injuries and damages caused.
Under California Government Code Section 911.2, any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a public entity must be filed within six months of the incident.
Advantages of Hiring a Santa Ana Bus Accident Attorney
The knowledgeable and experienced Santa Ana Bus Accident Lawyers of Bisnar Chase have a long and successful track record of fighting for the rights of bus accident victims and their families. Our legal experts have recovered over $800 million for victims who have experienced great pain and suffering after a California bus crash.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident in Santa Ana, don’t hesitate to contact the law firm of Bisnar Chase to find out how we can help.
Call 949-203-3814 for a No-Hassle, No-Obligation.
