If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your medical costs, pain and suffering damages, and lost wages. The accident may have been brought on by a negligent bus driver. Perhaps you were driving when the bus turned into your lane, or perhaps you were a pedestrian or bicyclist making your way across the street when the bus struck you. USAttorneys.com can connect you with a California bus accident lawyer who can help you understand your legal options. USAttorneys.com can help you find a bus accident attorney who is well-versed in the laws governing bus drivers, and public transportation, and can work within allotted timeframes.
Bus Accident Law in California: It’s Not Like a Car Crash
Bus accident lawsuits may involve a more complex legal process than accidents involving passenger vehicles. For example, under California law, bus drivers are required to pass a medical examination and drivers must renew their medical certificate every two years. Drivers must also pass a special skills test because driving a large bus involves skills not used when driving a passenger vehicle. Public transportation agencies and private bus companies have a responsibility to properly vet their drivers and to ensure that their medical examinations are up to date. Passing a medical examination is important to passenger safety because certain conditions can impact a driver’s ability to remain alert and safe behind the wheel. After a crash, a bus accident lawyer can review your driver’s prior record to determine whether any medical conditions could have contributed to your crash.
Your lawyer will also need to consider how sovereign immunity will play a role in your civil claim. According to Cornell Law, sovereign immunity is the legal principle that the government cannot be sued without its express permission. Under California law, certain government entities, including public transportation, are protected under sovereign immunity. However, individual drivers may not be protected if they are sued as private persons. Moreover, government entities can be sued for negligence if they injure another person while driving a motor vehicle. However, under Cal. Gov’t Code § 911.2, individuals have six months to bring a claim against the government. This means you only have a very limited amount of time to seek compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It is very important to speak to a qualified attorney as soon as possible.
USAttorneys.com can connect you with a qualified bus accident lawyer in California who can understand that many bus systems are not always entirely government-run. For example, LA Metro sometimes uses public and private partnerships. When private companies are involved, individuals may be able to pursue lawsuits against both the government entities and the private contractors or companies, if they are also negligent. These cases can be quite complex, so it is important to have a qualified bus accident lawyer in California review your case.
If you or a family member is a victim of a California bus accident, USAttorneys.com may be able to help you file a claim. Get a free, no-obligation consultation from one of our California bus accident lawyers who can answer your questions. To schedule an evaluation, call us at 1-800-672-3103.
