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Contact Us NowBecoming injured in a bus accident can have a serious impact on your life and your ability to enjoy it. If another party’s negligence caused your wreck, you may be able to pursue a legal claim for compensation.
The Fallbrook bus accident lawyers at Lathrop Law Firm represent clients in their actions against negligent drivers and other parties whose wrongful acts contributed to their injuries. Contact our firm to learn more about liability for bus accidents and the types of damages you could claim in a personal injury case.
Liability for a bus accident will depend on the parties whose wrongful actions contributed to its cause. California Vehicle Code § 17150 generally places liability on the driver who acted negligently while operating their vehicle. Alternatively, a driver can be liable for the negligent operation of their vehicle by another person who had their permission to drive it. Bus accident cases are often complex for this reason, as they can involve parties who were not physically involved in the collision. For example, the owner of a bus could be a private company, a government agency, or another group with potential liability for the acts of its employees.
Common causes of bus accidents that could establish the liability of another party may include:
Our Fallbrook bus accident attorneys could review the events leading up to your wreck by gathering critical pieces of evidence. Examples of relevant information may include police reports, traffic camera footage, black box data, and eyewitness testimony.
California applies a rule of comparative fault under Civil Code § 1714, meaning each party’s compensation will be reduced by their percentage of fault in the accident.
While claims against insurance policies may provide some compensation to injured parties, they may also contain policy limits that do not fully cover your damages. Injury from a bus accident can be severe due to the vehicle’s size and lack of safety features, such as seatbelts. In cases with catastrophic injury and damage, a bus accident lawyer in Fallbrook could file a civil lawsuit against the negligent party or parties to ensure you receive the compensation you need to move forward.
The compensation available to be recovered in a bus accident case will depend on your injuries and how they affect your life. Common damages include medical care costs, pain and suffering, lost earnings, and other losses to your quality or enjoyment of life. Our lawyers help clients identify all losses experienced after a bus accident injury and demonstrate their value to the jury at trial or to the opposing party in settlement negotiations.
Under California’s statute of limitations, you generally have two years from the date of a bus accident to file a personal injury claim. Missing the filing deadline may lead to a dismissal of your case and can prevent you from recovering compensation against those liable for your injuries. Therefore, it is essential to meet with a Fallbrook bus accident lawyer as soon as possible after suffering injury in a collision. Contact Lathrop Law Firm today to schedule a free case evaluation.