Bus accidents can cause severe injuries and unimaginable stress for victims and their families. These kinds of situations are much more complex than the average accident. But you do not need to do this yourself. At the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti, an experienced personal injury lawyer in Burbank can help you get the financial compensation you deserve.
How Much Compensation Can You Get from a Bus Accident?
If you’re in a bus accident, the amount of compensation you can receive can vary a lot. It depends on several factors, like how serious your injuries are, how much medical care you need, and whether you missed work because of the accident. If the accident is major and causes big injuries, like broken bones or an accident causing a death, the compensation can be multiple millions of dollars. This can help cover things like hospital bills, lost wages, and even pain and suffering. It’s important to talk to a lawyer who can help you get the compensation you deserve. The Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti is ready to speak to you to get you the help you need. We provide a confidential consultation that is free of charge.
How Much Do Accident Lawyers Charge in California?
The Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti offers a No Win No Fee policy, meaning you only pay if we win your case. And we only get paid a percentage of the total recovery, usually between 33% and 40%, depending on the stage of the case. This means that the more we get for you, the more we get for our firm. This makes sure that we are both working towards the same goal.
Why You Need a Burbank Bus Accident Lawyer from Our Law Firm
Our Lawyers Know Bus Accident Cases
Our personal injury attorneys at the Law Office of Adrianos Facchetti have a lot of experience with bus accidents. You need a Burbank bus accident lawyer who knows a lot about personal injury law and about bus accidents, in particular. We understand what makes bus accidents different, like who is responsible and the special rules for public transportation. Our know-how is important for creating a strong case to help you get fair compensation. You cannot hire just any personal injury lawyer and expect to get good results.
We Investigate and Get the Evidence
One of the main roles of a bus accident lawyer at our firm is to gather key evidence that supports your claim. Here's what we get on your behalf:
- Police reports
- Eyewitness testimonies
- Surveillance footage
- Bus maintenance records
Our experienced bus accident attorney knows how to get this information from the private company or governmental entity to prove fault and strengthen your case.
We Speak with Insurance Adjusters so You Don't Have to
Insurance companies are heartless, soulless companies who do not care about you one bit. They only care about their bottom line. They want to pay as little as possible to accident victims like you. A skilled Burbank bus accident lawyer from the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti can negotiate for you, ensuring you get fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We know how to talk to them, so our experience can make a big difference in your claim’s outcome.
What Causes Bus Accidents in Burbank?
Bus accidents in Burbank often happen for a few common reasons.
- Driver negligence, like reckless behavior, which raises the chance of crashes. This can also happen when drivers drive too long, causing drowsy driving, which is very dangerous.
- Lack of training for the commercial driver, or poor training can lead to bus accidents.
- Poor vehicle maintenance can also cause safety problems, affecting how well the bus runs and how safe its equipment is.
- Road hazards such as potholes or debris make it hard for bus drivers to stay in control. Traffic conditions can also have an impact on an accident.
- Inclement weather, like rain or fog, can make things even riskier
- Driver distractions, like use their phone or talking to passengers, can lead to serious accidents by taking their attention away from the road.
Once we determine that there was a negligent bus driver, we spring into action. Whether we have to go after a bus manufacturer, charter bus, or municipality, we will do all we can to get you results.
Different Types of Damages Sustained in Bus Accidents
Bus accidents can result in a host of different injuries. The speed of travel and the size of the vehicles involved often increase the risk and severity of injuries, leading to significant medical expenses for injured passengers and loss of income. Injured folks like you can pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages incurred due to these injuries:
- Physical injuries (traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, bone fractures, and amputations in extreme cases
- A death in bus accidents may lead to the need to file a wrongful death lawsuit
- Punitive damages in situations where the truck driver was acting recklessly, or whether they had a prior history of accidents or substance abuse like drugs or alcohol abuse.
- Psychological injuries, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, are common after bus accidents, especially in children. These issues can significantly impact a child's emotions and daily life. Kids often need support from a counselor or therapist to help with these issues.
Parents of kids who experience emotional trauma from school bus accidents should consider getting legal help. This can help you handle both legal issues and the emotional struggles your kids face, making sure you get the support and care necessary for healing.
Potential Compensation for Burbank Bus Accident Victims
Victims of bus accidents in Burbank and elsewhere in Southern California face numerous financial burdens and emotional challenges after a crash. We know what you are going through and want to help you at the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti.
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses are a major part of any bus accident claim. These costs can quickly add up and include everything from hospital bills and surgeries to long-term care like rehab and medications. Our law firm's skilled bus accident lawyer carefully looks at all these expenses, thinking about past, current, and future medical needs. For example, a traumatic brain injury or another catastrophic injury from a bus accident might need years of treatment, making it important to get enough money for all medical bills and related costs. Our attorneys will review the medical costs to make sure that all future needs are covered for you. Burial costs are also recoverable in certain situations.
Lost Wages
When you get hurt, you may not be able to work, which leads to lost income and more financial stress. Our Burbank bus accident attorneys work hard to figure out how injuries your ability to earn money. We look at pay stubs, how long you have missed work, and if there will be any long-term effects on your job. Injury claims take into account not just the income lost now but also potential future earnings. If someone dies in an accident, their family can claim compensation for the income they would have earned, helping to fill the financial gap left behind.
Pain and Suffering
Monetary damages for pain and suffering for bus accident victims recognizes what they have gone through. This includes physical pain and emotional distress, such as anxiety and depression, that often follow a traumatic experience. Each person's situation is different, and the effects on their daily life can vary significantly. A knowledgeable bus accident lawyer at our firm can clearly show how severe a victim's pain and suffering is to the bus company’s insurance provider. This part of compensation is really important because it acknowledges how injuries affect someone's quality of life.
Loss of consortium may also be available for spouses of injured parties. Seeking justice and fair compensation can be complicated, involving negotiations with insurance companies and possibly court cases. Having an experienced bus accident lawyer in Burbank can help change your life and your families' lives for victims, helping you rebuild after such a difficult event.
What is The Legal Process?
Initial Consultation
Most bus accident lawyers offer a free initial confidential consultation to discuss your case and determine if you have a valid claim. During this meeting, a lawyer at our burbank firm will review the details of your accident, your injuries, and any potential sources of compensation.
Making a Claim
If you decide to move forward, our law firm will file a claim with the appropriate parties. This may include the bus company, its insurance provider, or other relevant parties. Your attorney will ensure that all paperwork is submitted correctly and on time, adhering to California's statute of limitations.
Legal Action
If negotiations don't work, our bus crash attorneys may file a lawsuit. We will represent you throughout the legal proceedings, presenting evidence and arguments to support your claim.
Proving Negligence
In bus accident cases, figuring out who is responsible can be hard because many parties might be involved. For example, the bus driver could have made a mistake or driven recklessly. The bus company might be at fault if they didn't maintain their buses properly. If broken parts were the cause, the manufacturers and sellers could also be liable. Additionally, if unsafe roads were a factor, government agencies might share responsibility. That's why having a skilled bus accident lawyer is so important. They can gather evidence and investigate the situation to find out who is truly at fault. With different laws in each area, their expertise helps ensure your claim is strong and valid.
Discovering All of the Available Insurance Coverage
In cases where the injuries are severe, lawyers at our law firm work hard to find all of the available sources of money for your loss. This is challenging because there are usually specialized insurance companies that cover common carriers and intercity buses, making the claims process different from regular car accidents. Worse, companies have been known to conceal all of their available insurance to cover your claim. You need an experienced bus crash lawyer to deal with the insurance issues. At the Law Offices of Adrianos we do this all day long and know how to find every available insurance policy so that you are fully compensation.
What to Do After a Bus Accident in Burbank
Get Medical Help
Right after a bus accident, your health should be your top priority. Get medical care as soon as possible, even if you feel relatively okay. With these kinds of serious accidents, call 911 and get medical help. If the accident is Burbank you are lucky because emergency medical services are some of the best in the state. If you are transported by ambulance will likely be taken to St. Joseph's hospital. These medical records will form the backbone of your claim.
Document the Scene
Documenting the accident scene is very important. Start by writing down details like the bus driver's name, the bus's license plate, and any available insurance information. Take clear photos and videos of the scene, including the positions of the vehicles, skid marks, and any damage. These visuals are useful evidence for your claim. Also, talk to police officers to make sure a report is filed, as it can help clarify who is responsible later on.
Get Witness Information
Insurance companies give a lot of value to so-called independent witnesses. Be sure to gather the names and contact details of anyone who saw what happened. Their statements can help support your side of the story and show who is at fault. It's also useful to take note of the other vehicles involved and where they were during the accident. Plus, recording the weather and traffic conditions at the time can help explain what led to the crash.
Call a Bus Accident Attorney
After getting medical help and documenting the accident, it’s crucial to talk to a skilled bus accident lawyer. These lawyers understand the tricky parts of bus accident cases. They can evaluate your situation, hold the bus company or government responsible, and help you file a personal injury claim. In Southern California, there are strict deadlines for claims against government agencies, like the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Getting legal help quickly can make a big difference in getting the compensation you deserve. By following these steps, bus accident victims can better handle the situation and focus on healing while ensuring their rights are protected.
Understanding Your Rights as a Bus Accident Victim
As a bus accident victim, you have the right to seek justice and compensation for injuries caused by driver error. This compensation can cover various damages, from medical expenses and lost wages to emotional distress and pain and suffering.
In cases of wrongful death resulting from a bus accident, families may pursue lawsuits to recover damages such as funeral costs and loss of companionship. It's vital to seek immediate medical attention, even if injuries are not immediately apparent, to protect your health and to support any claims for damages.
Determining liability can be complex, involving multiple parties such as bus drivers, manufacturers, private bus companies, and government entities. Depending on the circumstances, you may have a civil claim against the liable party, including negligent drivers or the bus company.
Here’s a quick checklist to consider if you’re involved in a bus accident:
- Seek medical care immediately
- Document details of the accident
- Consult with an experienced bus accident lawyer
- File a personal injury claim promptly
By understanding these rights and steps, you stand a better chance of obtaining maximum compensation for your ordeal.
Start Working With a Burbank Bus Accident Lawyer Today
You shouldn’t have to pay for injuries caused by a bus drivers' error. You can and should pursue a claim against the negligent driver or the responsible party. We can review your case and discuss your legal options for free.
Call us today at 626-793-8607 or complete our online contact form start working with our firm.