Frequently Asked Questions – Bus Accidents
Q. If I have been injured in a bus accident, or a member of my family died in a bus accident, why do I need an attorney?
A. Bus accidents are unique in many ways. Issues of driver training, bus manufacturing defects, maintenance issues and other negligence issues need to be investigated in bus accident cases. Whether you were a passenger, pedestrian, bicyclist, or the driver of another vehicle involved in a bus accident – if you have been injured, you need an attorney who can help you obtain maximum compensation for your injuries. Bus companies will aggressively defend claims brought against them and do everything they can to make sure you lose your case. You need an experienced California bus accident lawyer on your side that can clearly represent your case, establish liability, and hold the party responsible for your injuries.
Q. How many people die in bus accidents every year in the United States?
A. The most recent crash data available is from the year 2007. Nationwide, in 2007, 278 buses were involved in fatal crashes and 6,593 buses were involved in injury crashes. 322 fatalities were reported in the United States in 2007 resulting from bus accidents. 15,888 injuries from bus accidents were reported in 2007, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported.
Q. How many people are killed each year in school bus accidents?
A. Less than one-third of one percent of fatal traffic accidents involve school buses. School buses, as a general rule, are one of the safest forms of transportation in the United States. Only six children are killed each year as passengers on school buses in the United States, on average. Pedestrian fatalities involving school buses are slightly more common. On average, 17 fatalities are reported each year involving pedestrians and school buses. Two thirds of these incidents involve the school bus striking a pedestrian, and the rest involve motorists illegally passing a stopped school bus and striking a pedestrian.
Q. What types of injuries do bus accidents cause?
A. Bus accidents can cause injuries from minor lacerations and abrasions to catastrophic injuries or death. The severity of injuries vary depending on many factors, such as how fast the bus was travelling, what the bus struck, whether or not it rolled over, etc.
Q. If I were injured in a bus accident, what type of compensation may I be entitled to?
A. An experienced bus accident attorney can review your case and determine if you have a claim for your injuries. Bus crash lawyers at Estey & Bomberger, LLP may be able to help you obtain compensation for your injuries, medical costs, rehabilitation, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other accident related expenses.
Q. Who can I sue if I am injured or a member of my family is killed as a passenger on a bus?
A. The bus operator, company and any other vehicle involved in the collision may all be liable for causing a bus passenger’s injuries or death. You may bring a claim against any party potentially at fault for your injuries or a loved one’s death. In the case of any serious or catastrophic injury or death, it is highly recommended for an attorney knowledgeable about bus accidents to review your potential case.
Q. What special rules apply if the bus company is owned by a public or government entity?
A. Claims against government entities must be brought within six months. If you have been injured, contact an attorney as soon as possible after an accident to ensure your rights are protected. This law applies to railroad accidents as well. Examples of bus operations operated by a public entity are San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and the Los Angeles Metro Transit Authority.
Q. Do bus passengers injured in accidents have special protections?
A. Special rules apply to bus passengers injured in accidents. Because buses are common carriers, a bus operator must use the highest care for its passengers’ safety. Where automobile operators only have a duty to use “reasonable care”, common carrier operators must use the “highest care.” If you have been injured, contact our California accident attorneys for more information and a free case evaluation.