Award-Winning San Francisco Bay Area Bus Accident Lawyers And Injury Attorneys
Our Skilled San Francisco Bay Area Bus Accident Lawyers Are Here To Help You Recover The Compensation You Are Entitled To For Your Injuries Caused By Bus Accidents
At The Hassell Law Group, we understand the complexities and devastating impacts of bus accidents. With The Bay Area’s bustling streets and a heavy reliance on public and private bus transportation, accidents can, and unfortunately do occur. As award-winning Northern California personal injury lawyers with over 100 years of combined legal experience, we are here to ensure bus accident victims receive the justice and compensation they deserve for their injuries.
Why choose our firm for your case:
- We are top-rated and highly skilled personal injury attorneys.
- Our award-winning legal team has over 100 years of combined legal experience, and experience matters.
- Our top-level lawyers are independently ranked among the Best Personal Injury Attorneys in San Francisco by Expertise.com, KevsBest.com, and LegalDirectorate.com
- We maximize the success of our clients’ cases through our vigorous representation and effective legal strategies.
- We work on a contingency fee basis which means if there is no successful recovery of damages in your case, there is no fee, and you owe us nothing.
Navigating the Bus Accident Claims Process
Our top-rated legal team will handle every step of your bus accident case, from the claims process, to collecting evidence and in negotiating with insurance companies or public entities from a position of strength to representing you in court if necessary. We prioritize your well-being and recovery from the injuries you sustained in the accident, and we seek to secure the maximum compensation available for your damages.
Recent Personal Injury Case Results We Have Achieved for Our Clients:
- $10 Million+ confidential settlement for a woman who was seriously injured in a head on collision caused by a commercial truck driver
- $4,900,000 result for our client in his mid 50’s who was seriously injured when his vehicle was T-boned by a cement truck
- $4,600,000 result for a Bay Area Physician who sustained a dominant hand impalement injury in a trip and fall accident on a landscaping rock that protruded into the walkway at a hotel property.
- $4,500,000 settlement for a client in her 60s hit by a vehicle while crossing in the crosswalk in San Francisco who sustained a traumatic brain injury.
- $2,525,000 result for clients who were pedestrians injured by a loose trailer pulled by a commercial vehicle.
- $1,500,000 result for a retired man who tripped and fell on a box inside the entryway door of a market causing a femur fracture that required surgery. A claim for loss of consortium was made for his wife.
- $1,500,000 settlement for a rideshare driver in San Francisco injured by a reckless driver driving over twice the posted speed limit. The client required clavicle surgery.
Understanding Bus Accidents in the Bay Area
Bus accidents, due to the massive size, weight, and limited maneuverability of buses, can result in significant property damage, catastrophic injuries, and in some cases fatalities. Bay Area Bus accidents can involve public buses, school buses, private tour buses, or other large commercial buses.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Common causes of Bus Accidents include:
- Driver negligence or fatigue
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Defective bus parts or equipment
- Hazardous road conditions
- Impaired driving due to drugs or alcohol
- Inadequate training of bus drivers
Types of Injuries Commonly Sustained in Bus Accidents
Victims of bus accidents can suffer from a range of serious injuries, including:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Extreme Psychological trauma
- Cuts, Lacerations, and bruises
What to do if you are in a bus accident?
Being involved in a bus accident can be an extremely frightening and disorienting experience. Knowing the proper steps to take in the aftermath can not only ensure your safety but can also protect your rights if you choose to seek compensation for your injuries. The following is a step-by-step guide on what to do after a bus accident:
Ensure Safety First: If it is possible and safe to do so, move away from the accident scene to avoid any further injuries from oncoming traffic, especially if you are on a busy roadway.
Seek Medical Attention: Even if you believe that you’re uninjured, it’s crucial to get thoroughly checked by a medical professional at the accident scene or immediately thereafter. Some injuries like whiplash and traumatic brain injuries might not display immediate symptoms and can have serious long-term consequences if not diagnosed and treated properly.
Contact the Police: Always report the accident to the police. A police report can serve as a valuable piece of evidence if it is necessary to pursue a personal injury claim.
Gather Information: Collect the identity and employer name of the bus driver, license plate numbers of any involved vehicles, and the insurance information of their drivers. Make note of the bus route number, date, time, and location of the accident. If there are any witnesses, seek to obtain their names and contact information as well.
Document the Accident Scene: Use your phone to take photographs of the accident scene, any damage to the bus and other vehicles involved, and any visible injuries that you or your loved ones have sustained.
Avoid Speaking with Insurance Companies: After the accident, you may be contacted by insurance adjusters or other insurance company representatives. It is not recommended that you speak with them or provide them with a recorded statement. All insurance company representatives should be referred directly to your personal injury attorney.
Keep a Record of Your Medical Treatment: Document all medical appointments, treatments, receipts, and other expenses related to your injuries.
Consult with an experienced Personal Injury Attorney: Before accepting any settlements or signing any documents, it is in your best interest to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney with prior bus accident experience. They can help ensure you receive just and proper compensation and guide you through the legal aspects of your case.
Follow Through with all Medical Treatments: It’s essential to be seen immediately after an accident or as soon thereafter as possible and to continue any prescribed medical treatments or therapies until fully recovered. Your well-being is paramount, and consistent medical treatment will prove your injuries and also support your personal injury claim.
Remember, while the moments following a bus accident can be traumatic, taking the right steps next can protect your rights and legal claims and give you the clarity you need. If in doubt, always reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney for guidance.
Poor Maintenance or Defective Equipment in Bus Accidents
Buses, due to their extensive size, weight, and the large number of passengers they carry, have a legal responsibility to maintain high safety standards. One of the primary causes of bus accidents is the poor maintenance of the vehicle or the use of defective equipment.
Understanding how these factors play a role can shed light on the gravity of the situation and the accountability required from involved parties.
The Importance of Bus Maintenance:
Safety Protocols: Buses require regular documented mechanical inspections to ensure their brake systems, lights, tires, and other essential components are in proper working order. Skipping or delaying these checks can lead to malfunctions, making accidents more likely.
Regulatory Requirements: There are strict federal and state regulations governing the regular maintenance and inspection of commercial vehicles, including buses. Failure to adhere to these regulations can result in severe penalties for the bus operators and can support and be indicative of negligence.
Manufacturing Flaws: Sometimes, the components of a bus, such as brake systems, engine parts, or even seat belts, may have manufacturing defects that can lead to catastrophic failures.
Ignoring Recalls: Manufacturers occasionally issue bus recalls for defective parts. It’s the responsibility of bus operators to stay informed about these recalls and act promptly. Neglecting to replace or repair these parts can endanger passengers as well as other motorists and pedestrians.
Liability and Responsibility In Bus Accidents
Bus Owners and Operators are primarily responsible for ensuring that their fleet is operated safely, receives regular documented maintenance, and is free from defective equipment. Failing to do so can make them liable for any accidents resulting from these oversights.
If an accident occurs due to a defective part, the manufacturer of that part may also bear some liability, especially if they were aware of the defect and failed to notify bus operators.
If you believe your bus accident was caused by poor maintenance or defective equipment, it’s essential to have your attorney gather evidence. Maintenance logs, recall notices, and expert evaluation and testimony can be invaluable in building a strong case.
The Different Types of Bay Area Bus Accidents
In the diverse urban landscape of the Bay Area, buses play a pivotal role in transporting thousands of passengers daily. Given the varied environments and scenarios they operate in, several types of bus accidents can occur, causing serious injuries. These include: commercial bus accidents, school bus accidents, city bus accidents, county bus accidents.
Collision with Other Vehicles:
These are the most common types of bus accidents. Due to the size and excessive weight of buses, even minor bus collisions with motor vehicles can result in catastrophic injuries to bus passengers, drivers of the other vehicles, and their passengers.
Single-Vehicle Accidents:
Buses can sometimes get into accidents without involving another vehicle. This can be due to road conditions, mechanical failures, or driver error. Examples include a bus going off the road or colliding with a stationary object.
Pedestrian Accidents:
Given the bustling streets of the San Francisco Bay Area, buses can also collide with pedestrians. Bus versus pedestrian accidents can result in extremely severe injuries or even death given the sheer size and momentum of a bus.
Bicycle Accidents:
With an emphasis on green transportation, many Bay Area residents opt to use bicycles as a primary method of transportation or commuting to work. Buses navigating tight streets alongside cyclists can sometimes result in bicycle collisions with serious injuries.
Rollovers:
Though less common, certain situations like sharp turns at high speeds, collisions with obstacles, or unstable road conditions can cause a bus to roll over, leading to significant harm to passengers and others nearby.
Accidents During Boarding or Departing:
A bus driver has a duty to stop their bus at a safe location for passengers to board and also exit the bus from. They also have a duty to control the stopping and starting of their bus in a manner that avoids injury to boarding and exiting passengers. Slips, trips, and falls can happen when passengers are getting on or off the bus, especially if the bus moves prematurely, stops in an unsafe location such as over a pothole in the street, or if a mechanical malfunction with the bus doors or steps occur.
Window or Door Accidents:
Defective or sudden closing doors, shattered windows during collisions, or abrupt door closings can also result in serious injuries to passengers.
Understanding the specific type of bus accident that you’ve been involved in can provide clarity when seeking legal advice or pursuing a claim. Each accident type might involve different stakeholders, evidentiary needs, and legal strategies. Therefore, working with our skilled bus accident attorneys familiar with the intricacies of each type can be invaluable in ensuring victims receive the justice and compensation they deserve.
We offer Bus accident victims a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
We understand that attorney’s fees are a leading cause of victims not seeking the legal representation they desperately need. That’s why we handle our clients’ cases on a contingency fee arrangement. Clients pay nothing upfront.
Our legal fees are calculated based on a percentage of the compensation you recover. That means that if there is no successful recovery of damages, there is no fee, and you owe us nothing.
We want everyone who has been seriously injured to be able to access high-quality legal counsel for their personal injury case, and we have helped countless accident victims recover compensation for their injuries.
Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.