Brentwood Bus Accidents Attorneys
Public buses, commercial buses (like Greyhound), and private charter buses run up and down the streets and freeways of California, transporting people across our cities and state. Whether it is a tour bus, a party bus, or an intercity or metro bus, these bus companies are required to follow specific procedures to protect passengers’ safety.
When they fail to do so and an accident occurs, the results can be disastrous and even lead to wrongful death. The bus accident lawyers at Biren Law Group have more than 40 years of experience in helping people who have been seriously injured in catastrophic bus accidents obtain the compensation they deserve. Learn how our legal team can help you.
If you or someone you love has suffered injuries from a bus accident in the Los Angeles area, we urge you to contact our Brentwood bus accident lawyers today. We are ready to put aggressive legal defense on your side.
Understanding the Many Types of Bus Accidents in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, with its sprawling network of freeways, bustling city streets, and diverse transportation systems, presents unique challenges when it comes to bus safety. At Biren Law Group, we understand the specific types of bus accidents that unfortunately occur here, and we’re dedicated to helping those affected.
- Freeway Collisions: The 405 and 10 freeways are often congested, leading to rear-end collisions, lane-change accidents, and multi-vehicle pileups involving buses.
- Intersection Accidents: Busy intersections, especially in Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Beverly Hills, downtown Los Angeles, and surrounding areas, can be hazardous for buses due to blind spots and heavy pedestrian traffic.
- Metro Bus Incidents: Accidents involving Metro buses in densely populated areas can result in serious injuries to passengers and pedestrians. The sheer volume of riders and the complexity of routes pose significant risks.
- Tour Bus Mishaps: With Los Angeles being a major tourist destination, tour buses navigating unfamiliar streets and tourist hotspots can be involved in accidents.
- School Bus Safety: Residential areas see school buses operating on tight schedules, and in sometimes narrow streets, which can unfortunately lead to accidents.
Understanding these specific scenarios allows us to provide tailored legal representation for your unique situation. If you’ve been involved in any of these types of bus accidents in Los Angeles, we’re here to help you navigate the legal process.
The Challenges of Los Angeles Traffic: How It Affects Bus Safety
Los Angeles is known for its challenging traffic conditions, and these conditions can significantly contribute to bus accidents. Our bus accident attorneys understand how the unique infrastructure and traffic patterns of Los Angeles can impact your case.
- Congested Freeways: The notorious traffic congestion on Los Angeles freeways increases the risk of collisions, especially for large vehicles like buses.
- Road Conditions: Potholes, uneven surfaces, and poorly maintained roads can make it difficult for bus drivers to maintain control of their vehicles.
- Complex Intersections: Los Angeles has numerous complex intersections with blind spots and heavy pedestrian traffic, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Aggressive Driving: Aggressive driving behaviors, such as speeding and reckless lane changes, are common in Los Angeles and can lead to bus accidents.
- Tourism Traffic: The influx of tourists in popular areas can create unpredictable traffic patterns and increase the risk of accidents involving tour buses.
We consider these environmental factors when building your case, ensuring that all contributing factors are taken into account.
Determining the Cause of Your Bus Accident
Bus companies are required to follow very stringent regulations regarding the operation and maintenance of their vehicles, as well as uphold safety standards to protect their passengers.
There are many factors that can lead to an accident, including:
- Driver fatigue or impairment (alcohol and drugs)
- Distractions to the driver, including cell phones
- Poor maintenance and repair of the bus
- Defective design or manufacture of the bus
- Dangerous roadways or driving conditions
Our team knows what to look for regarding liability on the part of the driver, the bus company, the bus manufacturer, and anyone else who might have contributed to the accident. We pursue all avenues of compensation to maximize your award.
Who’s Responsible? Understanding Liability in Bus Accidents
Determining liability in a bus accident can be complex. In California, and particularly in Los Angeles, several parties could be held responsible for your injuries. Our team meticulously investigates each case to identify all liable parties and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Some possible liable parties include:
- Bus Drivers: Negligence on the part of the bus driver, such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence, can lead to liability.
- Bus Companies: Bus companies have a duty to properly maintain their vehicles and train their drivers. Failure to do so can result in liability.
- Government Entities: If a Metro bus or other public transportation vehicle is involved, the City of Los Angeles or other government entities may be liable for negligence in maintaining roads or operating the bus.
- Third-Party Contractors: Maintenance companies, repair shops, or other contractors may be held liable if their negligence contributed to the accident.
It’s important to note that California operates under a comparative negligence system. This means that even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you may still be able to recover damages, although your award may be reduced proportionally. We will carefully assess the circumstances of your accident to determine all potential sources of liability and build a strong case on your behalf.
Navigating Claims Against Los Angeles Public Transportation
If you’ve been involved in a bus accident involving a Metro bus or other public transportation vehicle in Los Angeles, the claims process is different than with a private company. At Biren Law Group, we’re experienced in handling claims against public entities and can guide you through the process.
- Strict Deadlines: Before filing a lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles or another public entity, you must file a government claim within a specific timeframe. Government claims have strict deadlines, and failure to meet these deadlines can result in your claim being denied.
- Investigation and Documentation: We will help you gather the necessary evidence and documentation to support your claim, ensuring that it is filed correctly and on time.
- Negotiation and Litigation: We will negotiate with the public entity’s representatives to seek a fair settlement. If necessary, we will pursue litigation to protect your rights.
- Differences in Timeline: Claims against public entities often have longer timelines than those against private companies. We will keep you informed throughout the process.
We understand the complexities of dealing with public transportation agencies and will advocate for your rights every step of the way.
Seeking Fair Compensation After a Bus Accident
The costs associated with a bus accident can be particularly high. At Biren Law Group, we understand the financial challenges faced by Los Angeles residents and will fight to ensure you receive the compensation you need to recover.
Potential compensation that may be recovered after a bus accident includes:
- High Medical Expenses: Medical care in Los Angeles can be expensive, and bus accident injuries often require extensive treatment.
- Lost Wages: The cost of living in Los Angeles makes lost wages even more impactful, as you may struggle to meet your financial obligations.
- Rehabilitation Costs: Rehabilitation services, such as physical therapy and occupational therapy, can also be costly.
- Pain and Suffering: We will seek compensation for your pain and suffering, considering the emotional and physical impact of the accident on your life.
- Future Medical Needs: We will work to ensure that your compensation covers any future medical needs related to your injuries, taking into account the rising cost of healthcare.
We will meticulously calculate your damages to ensure that you receive the full compensation you deserve.
We’ve Recovered More Than Half a Billion on Behalf of Our Clients by Taking the Team Approach
At Biren Law Group, we put every member of our law firm to work for you. Matthew Biren uses his knowledge, experience, and expertise on your case from beginning to end. More importantly, he does not work alone. He has input from the firm’s associates and staff. This allows us to see issues, approaches, and strategies that could help us maximize your chances for success. Stated simply, our team effort yields better results.
We also consult with the best experts, like accident reconstruction experts, bus design, maintenance and safety experts, and medical and damage experts to prove liability and establish the full extent of the damage caused by the accident. These two factors are why we succeed in obtaining the maximum compensation for our clients. In fact, this approach has already helped us to recover more than $500 million on behalf of past clients.
You do not have to face the bus company and its insurance company alone. You need the same high-quality, aggressive representation that they have in order to bring your case to a successful resolution and get the compensation you need.
Call our Brentwood bus accident attorneys today or schedule a free initial consultation.
