Bus Accident Lawyer
For a Free Case Consultation, Call Us at (408) 883-3863

Any traffic accident can result in
catastrophic injuries, but when a crash involves a commercial bus, tens or dozens of people.
A 2010 study from the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research
Institute, examined data from 1999 to 2005 to product a statistical snapshot
of bus accidents in the U.S. According to the data, about 63,000 buses
are involved in a traffic crash each year, killing 50 bus occupants, including
the driver.
At Shea & Shea - A Professional Law Corporation, we represent clients
who are involved in mass causality incidents (MCI), which very few attorneys
handle due to their complexity. Since 1966, our law firm has been standing
up for the rights of the injured. We are members of the Multi-Million
Dollar Advocates Forum® and are dedicated to securing the maximum
amount of compensation for what our clients have been through. We were
honored to be AV® rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, and Attorney Shea
has been certified as a specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
If you were injured in a bus accident, or you lost a loved one in a fatal
crash, you could be entitled to compensation. Don’t wait to find
out how our firm can assist you with your case.
Shea & Shea has handled large bus crash cases. In the past, we were
involved in a Greyhound bus accident case involving 10 fatalities and
many severely injured people (see above).
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Bus accidents can be much more severe because of the substantial number
of people who may be onboard. From charter and private to public transportation,
buses are a part of day-to-day life for residents across the country.
While they’re rare, bus accidents do happen, and they can cause
a major life disruption and unexpected expenses.
These are some of the most common causes of bus accidents:
- Driver distraction or negligence
- Heavily populated areas with little area to maneuver
- Poor road conditions
- Construction
- Vehicle handling problems
- Equipment defects
- Weight distribution problems
- Lack of passenger protection, such as seat belts and air bags
Who is Liable for a Bus Accident?
Unlike a car accident, determining liability in a bus accident can be complex
and difficult. Below is a short list of parties that may be at fault in
a bus accident:
-
Bus driver: If the bus driver was doing something negligent at the time of the accident,
they may be held liable. This includes disobeying state driving laws that
limit the time they can drive, as well as driving under the influence
of drugs or alcohol.
-
Bus company/school district/city: The company, school district or city who owns the bus involved in an
accident can be liable for any injuries if they acted negligently, like
failing to perform regular maintenance on the bus.
-
Another driver: Another driver can be held liable for an accident if they were driving
while distracted, drunk driving, speeding, driving aggressively or maneuvering
through traffic illegally.
-
Manufacturer: A defective brake system or tire may cause an accident. If a defect is
to blame, the manufacturer may be held liable.
Injuries Resulting from Bus Accidents
Most buses do not come equipped with seat belts or airbags, and so victims
of bus accidents often suffer from catastrophic injuries. When buses roll
over, passengers can be ejected from the windows or thrown around inside
of the bus. Even if the bus doesn’t flip over, sharp edges inside
the bus and a lack of emergency exists can result in severe injuries after a crash.
These types of injuries include
burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, and
brain damage. Burn injuries, which are one of the most painful injuries, range from
superficial burns (first degree burns) to full-thickness burns (third
degree burns), and can lead to serious complications. The skin is the
body's first line of defense against infection and when it is compromised,
a victim could be exposed to a number of debilitating diseases.
Another possible injury that may occur is a
spinal cord injury. The force of an accident could cause bones and tissue to become damaged.
There are two main types of spinal cord injuries: complete and incomplete.
A complete spinal cord injury means that the person has lost all ability
to move and feel. An incomplete spinal cord injury means that they have
a reduced ability to move and feel.
Finally, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may be caused by an outside force
to the head. A TBI can result in a coma, a vegetative state, seizures,
fluid buildup, infections, blood vessel damage, headaches, paralysis,
cognitive problems and executive functioning issues.
Victims may have to take time off of work in order to recover, as well
as pay thousands of dollars for medical care. If the accident was not
their fault, they should not have to pay for the consequences of the accident.
Consult Our Bus Accident Attorney Today
Act quickly in order to build a strong case for compensation. Our
San Jose personal injury lawyers will move quickly to investigate your case, gather evidence, and fight
relentlessly for a settlement or trial verdict that covers the full amount
of your damages. We focus heavily on catastrophic injury cases involving
brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, and more.
Call our personal injury attorneys now at (408) 883-3863 to request your free case evaluation!