Bus transportation is an essential part of getting from place to place for many Stockton residents. When you use public transportation, you put your safety in the bus driver’s hands. Unfortunately, sometimes accidents happen, and when bus crashes do occur, they are usually very serious. Unlike cars, buses don’t have seatbelts and other safety features for passengers, causing many people, both in and outside the bus, to suffer severe and sometimes fatal injuries in collisions.
A skilled personal injury attorney could help get you the compensation you deserve after being hurt in a public transit vehicle collision. If you or a family member were in a crash involving a public transportation vehicle, contact a Stockton bus accident lawyer to discuss the details of your potential case.
Don’t Deal with Insurance Companies Alone
Buses are much larger, taller, and heavier than most other vehicles. Because of a bus’s size and weight, an accident that involves bicyclists and other pedestrians is likely cause catastrophic injuries. Furthermore, if a bus hits your car or other property, it will typically cause extreme damage. Since bus crashes can result in so much damage, they also commonly result in large payouts for injured parties.
Anyone injured during a bus collision should keep in mind that insurance companies have more incentive to fight claims when large payouts are at stake. For these reasons, it is advisable to work with a skilled attorney in Stockton who understands how the insurance industry works and has experience helping victims of bus crashes fight for the compensation they deserve.
Common Causes of Bus Collisions in Stockton
A seasoned attorney can help you review all details of your case and determine the cause of the bus crash. Once a legal professional has determined the cause of your public transit vehicle accident, they can help you identify who to hold responsible for your damages.
Some of the most common causes of local bus-related accidents include:
- Driver negligence or distraction
- Equipment defects
- Vehicle mishandling
- Severe weather conditions
- Blind spots
- Mistakes by other drivers
- Driving under the influence
- Aggressive driving by the bus driver or other motorists
Carriage for Reward Responsibilities
Passenger carriers such as buses have a legal responsibility to make safety a top priority. A carrier of passengers is any form of vehicle transport offered to those who pay a fare. California Civil Code §2100 states that those transporting passengers for payment must exercise a high standard of care to ensure safety. Bus drivers owe a high level of care to passengers, and the government also mandates them to protect other motorists from foreseeable harm.
However, when a bus crash does cause harm to an individual, it falls on that person to prove negligence by the transportation provider. A bus crash lawyer in Stockton could help establish liability, defend you against insurance companies, and present evidence in court if needed.
Contact a Stockton Bus Accident Attorney Today
If a bus accident seriously injured you or someone you love, don’t take chances by trying to negotiate or argue with insurance companies on your own. A Stockton bus accident lawyer could help you with all negotiations, both in and out of court. Our legal team has the experience, knowledge, and skills you need to fight for the compensation you need and deserve. Get in touch today.