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School Bus Accident Lawyer Los Angeles

 

When you have your child enrolled in school you are dependent on the school bus for transportation your child destination. Although, school buses have the tendency to in most cases be a safe way to travel, we do forget the fact that most don’t even offer seat belts. Due to that result, unfortunately, hundreds of kids get killed, and millions are injured annually because of the result of the negligence of a school bus accident.

 

Due to the statute of limitations on school bus claims, it’s imperative that you get in touch with a school bus attorney as soon as possible to assist you in better understanding your legal options.

With decades of combined experience, our attorneys have the skills and knowledge to help you move forward. From phone calls to medical records, we will handle all aspects of your case.

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School Bus Accident Statistics

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A study conducted with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 134 people die in school-vehicle-related crashes each year, including those on the bus, pedestrians, bicyclists and people in other automobiles.

 

Majority of school bus accidents can be prevented. However, the driver and children riding the bus should be prepared, and know how to react in certain situations that may arise. For example, it’s vital for all drivers to maintain a firm level of professionalism, while morale is simultaneously preserved. According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, a vehicle that has been poorly operated is mostly reflected on the driver’s attitude rather than the knowledge or driving skills.

 

It’s equally important for drivers to be cautious of sounds and volume control. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), there have been examples where a driver couldn’t hear an approaching train due to noises on the bus. Therefore, it’s imperative to maintain a reasonably quiet bus in order to avoid accidents.

 

Drivers should also be cautious about only following practices that are accepted, as well as never letting their guard down.

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Los Angeles Bus Accident Attorneys Will Fight For You

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Commonly, bus companies will fight diligently in order to deny any injury claims occurred or offer significantly less than the claim is worth. Furthermore, buses are considered common carriers when transporting persons for money or other compensation and are mandated to use the utmost diligence and care for their passengers’ safe carriage, providing everything necessary for that purpose.

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Based on California Civil Code Section 2100, it specifically requires the following of bus carriers:

Bus Accident

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“A carrier of persons for reward must use the utmost care and diligence for their safe carriage, must provide everything necessary for that purpose, and must exercise to that end a reasonable degree of skill.”

 

Due to the mere fact that school bus is known for their large size, lack of clear visibility and limited maneuverability, bus accidents do frequently occur due to that fact, often causing serious injuries and fatalities that result in wrongful death claims. These injuries usually occurrence varies in many different ways, including when buses collide with cars and other vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists; or when an anxious bus driver starts moving too quickly while passengers are standing or still getting on or off, which in essence causes severe painful injuries and even death.

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Common Causes of School Bus Accidents

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Just like any other type of wreck, a school bus accident can be preventable. However, these crashes are still common, and often occur due to negligence of a third party, or even the bus driver. Specifically, common causes include:

 

• Weather conditions

• Poor maintenance

• Road conditions

• Poor maintenance

• Overloading

• Driver’s disposition

• Speeding

• Lack or improper training of drivers

 

School Bus Accident Prevention

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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) state unequivocally that “extreme caution in the operation of a commercial motor vehicle shall be exercised when hazardous conditions” exist. Hence, based on Article § 392.14 of the FMCSR, it clearly states that extreme caution must be used in any situation where “snow, ice, sleet, fog, mist, rain, dust or smoke adversely affect visibility or traction.”

 

Federal regulations are very clear that “the driver” is responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle. Furthermore, commercial truck drivers are to cease operation of the vehicle if there are extremely hazardous driving conditions. However, just because this is the law, doesn’t mean that it is always followed.

 

So who or what is to blame for a collision during poor weather? Ultimately, there are limitless factors that may have contributed to the accident besides weather, including road and driver conditions. While determining liability may seem obvious in some situations, each case is truly unique. Liability is determined by the courts after thorough investigation. Establishing negligence is vitally important for your case.  Visit this page to learn more about Proving Negligence in Trucking Accident.

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How to Prevent School Bus Accidents

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In order to help prevent a school bus accident from taking place, parents need to ensure that children are doing their part, too.

 

• Enter and exit the bus in an orderly manner.

• Do not enter the bus unless it is at a full and complete stop.

• Wait for the bus in a safe location away from traffic.

• Always use the handrail when entering the bus.

• Stay seated throughout the duration of the trip.

• Keep all objects (and body parts) inside the bus at all times.

• Keep aisle free and clear throughout the ride.

• Do not distract the bus driver.

• All passengers should walk at least 10 feet from the front of the bus before crossing the street.

• The driver should give a signal before anyone crosses the street.

• Do not cross from behind the bus

 

Bus Accident Injury Lawyers - Experience You Can Count On!

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If you or your loved one have been involved in a bus accident in Los Angeles County our experienced School Bus Accident attorneys can accommodate you every step of the way.

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Victims of a bus accident include the following:

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• Passengers who are in the process of getting on or off buses;

• Pedestrians struck between the buses.

• Drivers of motorcycles, mopeds, scooters and bicycles stuck by buses;

• Passengers that are in the bus;

• Drivers and passengers in cars and other motor vehicles stuck by buses;

 

Because bus passengers are often standing or seated without safety belts, the impact endured by the bus accident can be very devastating. Furthermore, because of the force, size and momentum of a bus, an occupants of vehicles or pedestrians hit by a bus can often time sustain catastrophic injuries, including fatalities involving wrongful death claims.

There are many different types of buses, from school buses, to public buses, to small private vans or busses run by companies like Access Services.

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Statute of Limitation for School Bus Accident

 

The statute of limitation for a corporate or individual personal injury lawsuit is limited to two (2) years from the date of injury. However, if the injury was not discovered right away, then it is one (1) year from the date the injury was discovered.

 

Statute of Limitation on Government Bus Accident

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In some cases, bus accident injuries can be involving government run buses, such as those made against the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, known as the LACMTA (or for short commonly referred to as the MTA), require that a government claim for damages be timely filed with the appropriate agency, usually within just six (6) months from the date of the accident. These deadlines and procedural requirements are different from other types of accident injury cases and MUST be strictly followed, with some exceptions, or one may lose their rights and remedies.

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What to Do After an Accident?

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If one is involved in a bus accident, there are many things to do, including the following:

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• If seriously injured, receive appropriate emergency medical care;

• If medical care can wait, then obtain the name and contact information of the bus driver, bus owner and anyone who witnessed the accident, including the passengers on the bus;

• Obtain the identifying number and license plate number of the bus;

• Obtain the bus driver’s driver’s license and employee number;

• Take photographs of all damaged vehicles and property, all visible injuries and scene of the incident;

• Look for any video cameras that may have captured what occurred; and ask the bus driver to identify all video cameras with which the bus is equipped;

• Obtain appropriate medical care;

• Contact a personal injury attorney that has been experienced in handling bus accident injury claims.

 

As stated, many buses are equipped with video cameras that may record the exterior or interior of the bus, including what the bus driver was doing and what happened to the passengers inside the bus during any collision. One should obtain these videos, which, unfortunately, usually require special computer programs to view. These video recordings can be obtained through subpoena or other legal discovery conducted by a Los Angeles Bus Accident Attorney, including a formal request to produce video recordings, documents and other evidence. To secure and obtain such video evidence, bus accident injury victims should immediately contact an experienced personal injury attorney who handles bus accident injury claims. 

 

We Fight To Recover Your Remedies

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Based on the specifications of your case - the details of the accident, how severe your injury was, it is ultimately going to determine what you could be entitled to sustain based on your case. However, what you can be compensated for if your case prevails can often be put into several different categories.

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The categories of compensation can include:

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Medical bills: Should you win your case, you could be awarded compensation for medical bills you’ve had to pay as a result of your injury. This includes both past and future bills stemming from the injury, and can potentially cover expenses such as transport or in-home rehabilitation services.

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Lost wages: Lost wages can be awarded if your injury has caused significant missed time at work, or has made you unable to perform your job. You could be entitled to even more lost wages if the injury leaves you permanently disabled and unable to find consistent work.

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Pain and suffering: In some cases, the damages endured from physical pain and emotional suffering can be compensated to pay for therapy treatments.

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Punitive damages: Punitive damages are awarded in more extreme cases, wherein the injury was caused by someone’s recklessness. They are awarded to try and dissuade the defendant and others from acting with that level of recklessness again.

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You Don’t Pay Until You Win.

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Contact an experienced Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer  to schedule a free, no obligation initial case evaluation at 1-424-256-9055. Our Los Angeles School Bus Accident Lawyer will help protect your rights. And remember, You Don’t Pay until You Win, or You Don’t Pay At All!

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Lawyer Referral Service

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If you are in a need a Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer to help you get appropriate compensation and medical care you deserve, you should contact an School Bus Accident lawyer today. Our experienced School Bus Accident lawyer in Los Angeles will help you overcome your Personal injury or damage.

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If you have any questions about the information provided above, please contact Legal Leaf. Legal Leaf is a Lawyer Referral that can provide you with a Los Angeles School Bus Accident Attorney or law firm. If you do have any questions about a Passenger Accident attorney in Los Angeles area please contacts us for a free Lawyer Referral to a Los Angeles Lawyer.

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One Call Does It All

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Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles today at 1-424-256-9055.

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