SAN JOSE BUS ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
Bus accidents are a common occurrence in San Jose, and they can be very serious. If you have been injured in a bus accident, you will need to contact an experienced San Jose bus accident attorney as soon as possible.
To obtain the fair compensation that you deserve from your injury claim, you must hire a San Jose bus accident lawyer immediately after being involved in a bus accident.
An experienced bus crash lawyer will know how to handle the insurance claim on your behalf so that they cannot take advantage of your lack of knowledge about California law.
The personal injury attorney at Daneshrad Law PC, Attorney Alan Daneshrad, has years of experience helping people injured by negligent individuals on public transit vehicles such as buses and trains throughout Northern California, including San Jose. He understands what it takes to prove liability and to seek compensation against the negligent responsible party for any suffered injuries caused by their negligence.
Call our San Jose law office today at (888) 881-3529 for a free consultation and legal advice if you were injured due to another’s negligence while riding or driving a public transit vehicle, including buses and light rail systems.
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Representing A Spectrum Of Bus Accident Cases In San Jose
Each bus accident case is unique. There are numerous causes for these incidents, and victims can suffer a wide range of debilitating injuries, including brain trauma, fractured bones, soft tissue damage, internal organ damage, and more.
Daneshrad Law PC has an experienced San Jose bus accident attorney who handles all sorts of bus accidents, such as:
- Public bus accidents
- School bus accident
- Public transportation wrecks
- Accidents that involve airport shuttles
- Tour bus accidents
- Bus accidents caused mechanical failures
- Bus accidents caused by drowsy drivers
- Accidents that involve pedestrians
- Bus accidents caused by distracted or drunk drivers;
- Bus accidents due to poor road conditions
- Claims resulting from bus accidents caused by poor conditions
- Claims from wrongful death caused by bus accidents
What Are The Leading Factors That Cause Bus Accidents In San Jose?
The leading causes of bus accidents in San Jose are the same for most vehicle accidents involving buses. A few common causes of San Jose bus accidents include:
- Negligent drivers. Drowsy or exhausted bus drivers fall asleep behind the wheel, a driver under the influence of prescription medicines, narcotics, or alcohol, or an inexperienced driver who loses control of the vehicle.
- Distracted driving. A distracted bus driver smashes into an object or another vehicle while driving.
- Dangerous roads and freeways. A pedestrian or bicyclist went into the driver’s blind spot. Or a hazardous road condition that necessitates the driver to make an abrupt change in direction.
- Faulty maintenance. Poor maintenance or faulty automobile components cause a malfunction that leads to an accident.
What Are The Typical Injuries In A San Jose Bus Accident?
The severity of the injuries in a San Jose bus accident depends on several factors, including how fast the bus was moving when it crashed into another vehicle. Some typical injuries include:
- Broken bones. Bus accidents might result in the fracturing of one or more bones. Recovery and healing may take months and will need a cast and crutches. When a bus accident victim suffers from numerous fractures, healing takes considerably longer and mainly needs surgery.
- Lacerations. Deep wounds may be incurred during a bus accident. They are painful and can also leave permanent scars if not treated properly.
- Head trauma. A direct impact can cause head injuries, and even minor jolts to the head might result in trauma. Regardless of the cause, victims may suffer a mild to severe traumatic brain injury. On the other hand, a severe brain injury might lead to long-term complications.
- Neck injury. Whiplash is the most frequent neck injury in motor vehicle accidents, including bus collisions. It’s also known as soft-tissue damage to the spine.
- Back injuries. A bus accident may result in spine fractures, herniated discs, and other painful injuries that need long recovery time and sometimes surgery.
- Spinal cord injuries. Victims of bus accidents that result in spinal cord injuries might experience temporary or permanent limb paralysis.
- Internal bleeding and organ damage. Even if victims do not have apparent injuries, bus accident victims should seek immediate medical attention for internal injuries. The force from a bus crash might cause fractured ribs that penetrate internal organs, or the trauma may result in rupture or separation. These sorts of injuries are frequently deadly or may lead to long-term complications.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder. A terrible bus accident might lead to mental anguish in some people. Those who witness another person being injured or killed in a bus accident may also be emotionally affected.
What Are The Damages That Bus Accident Victims Can Recover?
San Jose bus accident victims can recover damages caused for a wide range of injuries and losses from bus accidents. These include:
- Past medical expenses. If an injured victim has already incurred medical bills, they should be reimbursed by the at-fault party. There might also be doctor’s fees in the future, depending on the seriousness of the injury.
- Future medical expenses. Victims who have serious injuries may need repeated surgeries or long-term therapy to treat their condition or improve mobility. In some cases involve, it could lead to permanent disability.
- Lost income or earning capacity. Not all bus accident victims accumulate a large number of medical bills in a short period after a crash. Some people will experience a temporary or permanent disability that prevents them from working or doing their daily responsibilities.
- Non-economic losses include pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, emotional stress or distress, or other circumstances that may apply.
Who Can Be Held Liable For San Jose Bus Accident Injuries?
Bus driver. A bus driver who is speeding, distracted, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol could be liable for an accident caused by his recklessness. However, bus firms that employ bus drivers are considered responsible for their workers’ mistakes in most situations.- Bus company. Bus manufacturers or bus companies are expected to provide vehicles that meet all safety regulations while maintaining top quality at all times to avoid mechanical failures that lead to crashes. Manufacturers whose vehicles malfunction due to brake failures, bald tires, or carelessness are held liable for damages.
- Oversight by a government agency. If a bus accident is caused by faulty road conditions or traffic lights that have not been maintained, governmental entities can also be held accountable. Also, if you were hurt in a bus accident caused by the negligence of a government worker, you might be able to bring a claim against a government agency.
- Bus tour operators. If you were hurt in a bus accident involving a tour package, the bus company that offered the service might be held liable.
- School Boards and Districts. School bus and school board drivers can be held responsible for accidents caused by their negligence. If school boards fail to implement adequate safety precautions, which contributes to the accident or the resulting injuries, they may be liable.
- The other drivers. If the driver of another vehicle caused your accident, they might also be held responsible for your damages.
- Passengers. Passengers are usually not held liable in bus accidents unless their conduct led to the crash. For example, suppose they overcrowded the vehicle or were acting rowdy when it crashed into other vehicles. In that case, they may be held accountable for injuries they inflicted on other people on board.
What Should Bus Accident Victims Do Right After The Accident?
Bus accidents can result in serious injuries, and immediate medical attention is required in some cases.
After that, proving your injuries in a bus accident claim is one of the essential parts of the process. If you cannot prove that you suffered harm or losses due to the crash, you may not be able to receive what you are entitled to under the law. Here are some helpful tips on how to do this:
- Document everything. Keep a journal of the trip where you were injured and include details like when and where it occurred, how many passengers were on board, and other details that may be important later in your claim. Take pictures of the scene shortly after the accident to capture any damages or dangers, such as debris from the crash scattered around or skid marks left behind by vehicles. If there are surveillance cameras at the scene or near where you were hurt, take screenshots to prove negligence or wrongdoing by any liable party involved.
- Medical records. Keep copies of all medical records and bills related to your injuries. Make sure they show dates of treatment and costs incurred; if they don’t have dates, include receipts with details on when services were rendered or goods bought. Receipts for replacement items like wheelchairs, crutches, and other medical aids can also prove your expenses.
- Witness statements. If you’re not the only person injured in the crash, ask eyewitnesses to give written or recorded statements. You could also get a statement from anyone who helped take care of you after the accident happened. Statements from passengers on board at the time of the crash may also help your case if they saw how it happened and what injuries you sustained afterward.
- Proof of wages lost. Provide proof that you were working when the bus accident occurred and that your injuries prevented you from returning to work soon after. For example, include paystubs with deductions made due to leave taken for recovery.
If you’re not sure what damages you should be claiming, it’s best to seek legal help first from an experienced bus accident attorney before filing claims.
Bus Driver And Common Carrier’s Duty Of Care To Their Passengers
Like other transportation vehicles, Buses are classified as common carriers under California law due to their for-fee carrying of passengers. Common carriers have a higher duty of care toward their passengers than other transporters.
The obligation to others on the road to follow traffic regulations such as signaling turns and driving at the speed limit is shared by all drivers. Still, California common carrier law puts particular standards on common carrier drivers.
A California court can find a common carrier driver negligent and award damages to victims if they do not uphold this standard.
The California common carrier law covers the following:
- A common carrier must exercise “exemplary caution and attention” when transporting passengers, provide those necessities, and have a reasonable skill level to ensure safe transportation.
- A common carrier must provide vehicles that are both safe and appropriate. A failure to meet the required standards of care will not be excused due on account of a malfunction.
- Common carriers should not overcrowd or overload the vehicles.
- Common carriers must make reasonable and necessary adjustments to ensure that passengers are treated with respect and given appropriate attention.
- Common carriers must travel at safe and appropriate speeds, without delay or deviance from the chosen route.
Choosing Daneshrad Law PC For Your Bus Accident Claim Is Your Best Choice
Alan David Daneshrad’s track record as a lawyer is well-known. He practices law in the States of California and Washington, having previously been admitted to the Supreme Court of each state as well as the Supreme Court of the United States, California Supreme Court, Washington Superior Court, US Tax Court, and the US Central District Court, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Personal injury cases are Alan’s main concentration. Whether it’s a car accident, bus accident, motorcycle accident, wrongful death, or any other sort of personal injury lawsuit, his vast experience allows him to fight for his clients and firm with vigor.
Daneshrad Law PC is a law firm that provides individualized service, free consultation, and free case review to each client. We keep in contact with our clients so that they are aware of every aspect of the case. Most importantly, Daneshrad Law PC views its clients as family and advocates for them on their behalf throughout the legal process.
Alan Daneshrad is a compelling and experienced bus accident lawyer in California with a track record of aggressive representation. He will assist you with gathering evidence, avoiding costly errors, and pursuing the full and fair compensation that your family deserves.