While bus accidents are less common than car wrecks between standard vehicles, these collisions are often devastating. Life-changing injuries often result from public transportation crashes due to the size of buses.
You might be entitled to compensation when you are hurt in a bus crash. Pursuing your case alone is risky; fortunately, a Fresno bus accident lawyer can help you protect your rights under the law. Our talented personal injury attorneys will ensure you are treated fairly during the process and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Who Can File a Lawsuit for a Bus Crash?
Bus accidents result in countless people sustaining serious bodily injuries. Multiple plaintiffs could pursue a lawsuit when negligence causes a wreck like this. A hardworking attorney can assist injured drivers or passengers with seeking justice for a bus wreck in the Fresno area.
Other Drivers
When a negligent bus driver is responsible for a collision, the occupants of the other vehicles often have a viable case for compensation. Bus driver negligence could include intoxication, aggressive driving, or failure to yield the right-of-way.
Bus Passengers
Bus passengers injured in a crash could have a viable lawsuit regardless of who is responsible. When the bus operator causes the collision, passengers could have a case against the driver as well as their employer. Likewise, when another motorist is to blame for a wreck, the bus passengers could hold them accountable through a lawsuit. Bus passengers often sustain serious injuries in a collision since these vehicles rarely have seatbelts.
Bus Drivers
Not all bus drivers are responsible for causing an accident. Sometimes, road conditions or mechanical failures cause a public transportation crash. In these situations, the bus operator has a viable case for compensation like anyone else.
Compensation for Bus Accident Injuries
When someone is injured in a bus accident, they can file a civil lawsuit. A dedicated lawyer in Fresno can help the plaintiff prevail in a lawsuit by obtaining the compensation they deserve from the person who caused the bus wreck. Recoverable damages in these claims come from two distinct categories, each compensating the injured person for specific losses they suffered in the accident.
The first category is known as economic damages. These damages pay for the plaintiff’s out-of-pocket financial costs. A successful lawsuit should result in economic damages that return the plaintiff to the financial position they were in just before the bus accident. Some examples of economic damages include:
- Lost wages or diminished earning capability
- Medical bills, including rehabilitative care costs
- Vehicle repair costs
The second category is known as non-economic damages. These damages include subjective losses like a person’s physical pain. Any damages the court cannot easily quantify fall under this category. Even though non-economic damages are subjective, these claims still routinely result in a monetary award. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress or mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
Speak With a Talented Bus Accident Attorney in Fresno Today to File a Claim
A bus accident causes severe injuries that can impact the quality of your life forever. That said, securing a monetary award from the negligent party that caused your crash could ensure you receive the financial support you need. Reach out to our Fresno bus accident lawyers today to learn more or schedule a consultation.