Top Rated Orange County Bus Accident Attorneys
Buses are an extremely popular form of public transportation in Orange County. The population has grown so much that buses have become a necessity for many people who don’t have access to their own means of transportation.
Unfortunately, buses get into accidents just like other vehicles, often leaving victims with extremely serious injuries. In addition, bus accidents can affect anyone who happens to be in the vicinity of the incident, including bus passengers, motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
If you have been injured in a bus accident, you should talk to an Orange County personal injury lawyer as soon as you can.
Bus Accidents Are Very Common in Orange County
Thousands of Orange County residents use the bus every single day. The population of this county has been growing steadily over the past decade, and many people rely on buses to get around.
While buses are relatively safe, accidents do happen. Bus drivers are required by law to take a training course before driving a bus full-time for any particular company or city so that they know how to operate it in an efficient manner as well as drive safely. Unfortunately, some bus drivers drive negligently in spite of their training, putting the public at risk.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Bus accidents can occur for many of the same reasons that accidents involving only passenger vehicles do. That said, one thing that makes bus accidents different is that sometimes crashes are the result of negligence on the part of the company or state agency responsible for operating the bus. Some of the most common causes of bus accidents in Orange County include:
- Distracted driving
- Failure to follow traffic signals
- Speeding
- Impaired driving
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Poorly maintained buses
- Defectively manufactured vehicles
- Negligent hiring
- Inadequate training
An attorney familiar with bus accident litigation will be able to evaluate the way your accident occurred and determine the potentially liable parties. Examples of the parties that could be liable for your bus accident include the bus driver, the bus driver’s employer, another motorist, a passenger, or the company or agency responsible for the bus’s operation.
Injuries Associated With Bus Accidents
When you sustain injuries from a bus accident, it’s important that you consult an Orange County bus accident attorney right away. In addition, you should be certain to seek medical attention for any injuries you sustain. Doing so will ensure that you have an official record detailing your injuries and connecting them to your accident.
Common injuries associated with bus accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Serious soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neurological injuries
- Whiplash
- Contusions
- Sprains and strains
- Facial injuries
In addition to physical injuries, a bus accident may leave you with serious physical and emotional pain and suffering. Thankfully, these kinds of non-economic damages are recoverable under California law. A lawyer will be able to evaluate your claim and determine what compensation you should receive for your losses.
How Can Bus Accidents Impact Your Life?
There’s no doubt that being injured in a bus accident can be devastating. It can impact your life financially, physically, and emotionally. It will take time to recover from injuries sustained during an accident, which may mean you won’t have the ability to work for at least some period of time after it happens.
Not only is this inconvenient, but it also makes it difficult when trying to meet financial obligations like rent or mortgage payments, as well as paying bills on time every month.
Physically recovering from injuries can take weeks and months depending on how severe they are, and the emotional recovery usually follows physical healing, with many people feeling depressed or anxious for months or even years.
The Importance of Hiring an Orange County Bus Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a bus accident, it’s critical that you determine the party that was responsible for your accident as soon as you can. An Orange County bus accident attorney can help navigate through this process for you and make sure everything is taken care of on your behalf so that you don’t need to worry about anything while recovering from an injury.
A lawyer will know what questions to ask, understand legal language, and will be able to deal with insurance companies if it comes down to compensation negotiations. In addition, if the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer, your lawyer may file a lawsuit and take your case to court.
Call Us Today to Speak with an Orange County Bus Accident Attorney
If you have been injured in an accident involving a bus, you need to contact an attorney as soon as you can. In addition, if your accident involved a bus operated by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), you may have a very limited amount of time to file your claim. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation with an experienced lawyer.