San Diego Bus Accident Attorney

Thousands of people travel on buses every day throughout Southern California. Generally, buses are a safe mode of transportation, but accidents do happen. Bus accidents are one of the most complex types of motor vehicle accidents: many people may be hurt, multiple parties may share liability, and claims involve federal and state safety regulations and transportation laws.

Have you suffered serious injury in a bus accident in San Diego County as a passenger, motorist, or pedestrian? An experienced San Diego bus accident lawyer can help. At Berman & Riedel, LLP, we help accident victims hold the responsible party accountable and seek fair compensation through a personal injury claim.

Contact our law office today to schedule a free consultation with a San Diego bus accident attorney. We will listen to your story and help you explore your legal options.

Types of Bus Accidents in San Diego

A bus collision can involve any type of private or commercial bus. Below are common types of cases the California bus accident attorneys at Berman & Riedel, LLP, can handle.

School Bus Accidents

Accidents involving school buses are, sadly, all too common. When children are hurt as passengers on a school bus in San Diego or while waiting at a bus stop, the school district or bus driver may be liable. If your child has been hurt in a school bus crash, a San Diego bus accident attorney can help you pursue the compensation necessary to get your child adequate medical care and cover your other losses.

San Diego MTS & NCTD Bus Accidents

Many bus accidents in the county involve public transportation. There are two main public transit providers in the county:

• San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), the main public transportation provider for most of San Diego County with public transit buses, light rail, and freight services and the San Diego Trolley
• North County Transit District (NCTD), bus and train service in the North County area

These public buses are considered common carriers. This means they owe a higher duty of care to protect passengers. This duty to passenger safety means a San Diego city bus company must properly maintain vehicles, adequately train and supervise drivers, and make reasonable efforts to ensure safe passage.

Accidents Involving Intercity Buses

Intercity buses are a type of public transit using coaches to transport passengers longer distances between cities or metro areas. In Southern California, common examples include the Amtrak Thruway bus service, which connects passengers to areas not served by Amtrak rail service, and the Greyhound bus service.

Accidents Involving Private Buses

Private buses may be operated by an individual, a nonprofit organization, a business, or another private party. Accidents involving private buses may involve multiple liable parties, such as the bus driver or the owner.

Other Types of Bus Accidents

A San Diego bus accident lawyer can help you if you have been injured in another type of bus collision involving:

• Charter buses
• Shuttle buses like the San Diego Flyer or shuttles operated by hotels and rental agencies
• Tour buses

What Causes Bus Accidents in San Diego, CA?

Many factors can cause a serious bus crash. Most accidents are the result of human error or negligence. Here are common causes of bus accidents in San Diego.

• Speeding and other types of reckless driving
• Distracted driving, such as texting and driving
• A driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• A negligent bus driver failing to follow traffic laws or exercise caution
• Unruly bus passengers that create a distraction or cause a crash
• Negligent hiring practices
• Inadequate training
• Unsafe expectations from transportation companies, such as requiring long hours that cause driver fatigue
• Inadequate vehicle maintenance or inspections
• Dangerous intersections
• Road defects
• Defective bus parts

A San Diego bus accident attorney at Berman & Riedel, LLP, will conduct a thorough investigation of your crash to determine how it happened and who is liable for the injuries you have suffered.

Compensation Available to Bus Accident Victims in California

A bus crash can easily cause severe injuries that affect you for the rest of your life. Public transportation accident victims are entitled to seek compensation from the at-fault party after an accident. In a personal injury claim, there are two broad types of damages you may recover: financial or economic damages and non-economic damages. The latter covers the emotional and psychological losses you have suffered.

You may pursue financial recovery for damages such as:

• Medical bills and future medical expenses, including physical therapy, doctor's appointments, surgery, hospitalization, ambulance expenses, prescription medications, medical devices, and more
• Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses like transportation to and from medical visits, home services, and necessary home modifications
• Lost wages while recovering and reduced earning capacity if you are unable to return to your job
• Pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional distress
• Scarring
• Diminished quality of life

Surviving families can seek compensation through wrongful death claims and survival actions after fatal bus accidents. These types of claims allow you to claim burial and funeral expenses, lost income your loved one would have provided, the fair value of services your loved one would have provided, and loss of companionship.

If your case does not settle and your bus accident lawsuit goes before a jury, punitive damages may be available. These damages are intended to punish a defendant for egregious behavior that goes beyond simple negligence. They are only awarded in limited cases.

A San Diego bus accident attorney at Berman & Riedel, LLP, will ensure your damages are accurately calculated and work with experts as needed. We will fight back against any attempts to undervalue your claim or minimize the severity of the injuries you have suffered.wsuit goes before a jury, punitive damages may be available. These damages are intended to punish a defendant for egregious behavior that goes beyond simple negligence. They are only awarded in limited cases.

What Is My Bus Accident Case Worth?

All bus accident cases are unique. How much compensation you may be entitled to recover will depend on dozens of factors and unique circumstances. An experienced San Diego bus accident attorney will consider these factors and more:

• The severity of your injuries
• Economic damages like medical costs
• Whether you can return to your job
• The impact on your daily life
• Future medical needs
• The circumstances of your accident
• Whether you share fault for the crash
• Insurance coverage available for your claim

At Berman & Riedel, LLP, we can help you understand how these factors affect your personal injury case. Contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation with a San Diego public transportation accident lawyer to discuss your case and what it may be worth.

We Fight to Recover Fair Compensation for All Types of Injuries

You should not suffer financially after an accident that was not your fault. The San Diego bus accident attorneys at Berman & Riedel, LLP, are committed to fighting for the full compensation you deserve for the serious injuries you have suffered.

• Amputation
• Back and neck injuries
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injuries
• Burns
• Fractures or broken bones
• Nerve damage
• Organ damage
• Soft tissue injuries
• Vision loss
• Wrongful death

We are ready to pursue maximum financial compensation on your behalf and hold the responsible parties accountable. Call our law office to schedule a free case evaluation with a San Diego bus accident attorney prepared to give you the tireless legal representation you deserve. to pursue maximum financial compensation on your behalf and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Bus Crash in San Diego?

Public transport injury claims are notoriously difficult. A crash involving a San Diego public bus or mass transit company may involve multiple at-fault parties who share liability. An experienced San Diego bus accident attorney must carefully investigate how the accident occurred by evaluating police reports, witness statements, photos of the scene, and other evidence to determine who is at fault.

Parties who may share liability for your injuries depend on how the crash happened and whether it involved a charter bus, a private transportation company, or a city bus.

These cases often involve claims against government entities under the California Tort Claims Act (CTCA), which requires special procedures to be followed and shortened deadlines to pursue compensation. If you have a claim against the City of San Diego, San Diego County, or another government entity, you have just six months to file your claim. This deadline is much shorter than the typical two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases.

After filing your claim, the government agency has 45 days to respond. If your claim is rejected, you can file a personal injury lawsuit. Your San Diego bus accident attorney will guide you through this process and ensure your claim is filed correctly.

Below are parties who may be held liable for your damages after a bus crash.

Bus Driver

When a bus driver fails to exercise reasonable caution and causes a crash through negligence, they may be held liable. If the driver caused your accident, other parties may still be liable.

City of San Diego

The city or local government may be responsible for accidents caused by poor maintenance of local roads. They can also be liable for crashes involving city-owned buses.

Transportation or Bus Company

Bus companies or the driver's employer may be liable for improper training, negligent hiring practices, poor maintenance, and other forms of negligence.

School District

The school district may be liable for a school bus accident if they were negligent in hiring, training, or bus maintenance.

Other Negligent Drivers

Sometimes, the drivers of other vehicles involved in a crash with a bus are at fault for a crash, usually due to reckless or careless driving behavior like speeding or distracted driving.

Bus Manufacturer

The manufacturer may be liable if the accident was caused by a malfunctioning or defective part.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a San Diego Bus Accident Attorney at Berman & Riedel, LLP

At Berman & Riedel, LLP, our mass transit injury attorneys have extensive experience handling public transit accident claims, including complicated bus accident litigation. We understand federal and state rules governing the bus industry and know what evidence to look for in determining fault and proving liability. A San Diego bus accident attorney at our firm can help you pursue maximum financial recovery to move forward with your life.

If you or someone close to you has been involved in a bus accident in San Diego, we are here to help you. Contact our law office today to schedule a free case evaluation with a bus accident attorney in San Diego to tell us your story and explore your legal options.