School Bus Accident Lawyer Los Angeles
Common Causes of School Bus Accidents
Good feelings arise for the traditional yellow school bus despite the dangers they pose and accidents they cause. They transport millions of children and educators every day, usually without incident. People have come to rely on them without question.
School buses cause thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths each year. In the state of California, victims who were injured or lost loved ones in bus accidents can land in a crushing nexus of insurance companies. That’s why it is absolutely important to seek the help of our dedicated team of lawyers.
Mechanical and manufacturer defects: The vehicle manufacturer failed to deliver a quality bus with all safety and operation systems intact.
Negligence: The private leasing company or bus owner did not perform routine maintenance and mandatory safety checks.
Driver error and exhaustion: School bus drivers are background checked and expected to perform to a higher standard, but they make mistakes.
Driver impairment: It is rare, but bus drivers have been caught intoxicated prior to driving and using intoxicants during their routes.
Overcrowding and understaffing: School buses do not always have proper seats, lap belts, or bus operators. Oftentimes school staff do not make children use them.
Traffic and weather conditions: For school bus accident lawyers in Los Angeles traffic and drivers remain high on the list of reasons school buses crash.
What To Do After a School Bus Accident
When bus accidents require a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles firms are a strong start to getting victims justice.
Fear is the first reaction when a school bus accident is reported in the media and local emergency response systems. Once you know your child or loved one is safe, you may have anger and confusion. Next, you look for answers and help but find complicated processes.
If fatality occurs, the situation feels more hopeless.
At Gutierrez Law, we have the negotiation skills and litigation experience to speed up lengthy delays and leap over frustrating hurdles to compensation. We are happy to provide free consultation and evaluate your claims for free.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
The high population and number of accidents in the city make our public transportation accident lawyers a top option. These serious incidents require a combination of expertise in school bus accident liabilities, personal injury claims and wrongful death cases. Choose wisely to hold the right parties responsible for the negligence, defects or bad driving that caused your pain and suffering.
When the bus driver is responsible for the accident, it may not be so simple to just sue the driver. Their employer will most likely have given them insurance protection plus legal representation to litigate their defense.
Sometimes the local or state government owns the school bus. Then the government becomes the party to file suit against. Victims are up against strong bureaucracies to receive settlements for their injuries and damages.
A third party may also enter the picture. Maybe a distracted or drunk driver crossed over lanes. Cars have been known to initiate pile ups that school buses crash into. This is why it is important to hire the right legal professional to get you the compensation you deserve.
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), most fatalities in school bus accidents happen to people who are not on the bus.
Other people that bus accidents impact are:
- Pedestrians
- Cyclists
- Children boarding and getting off a bus when it is not in motion
A huge part of the legal battle is negotiating with insurance companies. If we represent you and fight your case, we aim to get you the right settlement amount. It is important to remember that the school bus company or government will be trying to debunk your claims during this time. That’s why you should have an attorney by your side. Never accept the first settlement offer from insurance companies. They will try to give you less than what you deserve and need to pay for damages and medical treatment.
Our lawyers know how to conduct a successful investigation to determine if defects caused the accident to grant you the rights to a product liability case against the manufacturer. Most victims wouldn't know this. The following are necessary to assist your case:
- Analysis of police reports
- Witness statements
- Forensic accident team conclusions
- Summaries of medical records
- Emergency transport bills
- Ongoing treatment costs
- Estimates of future treatment and long-term medical costs
- Negotiation for lost wages and future income loss in cases of permanent disability
If your child was hurt in a school bus accident, do not hesitate to call us. We know your rights and justice. Acquire a top personal injury lawyer that communities and clients trust to deliver informed representation based on the powerful local and state laws at your disposal.