When an accident in Sacramento involves a bus, the consequences can be disastrous. The large size and heavy weight of a bus can lead to monumental damage to smaller vehicles and other vulnerable road users.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a city, school, charter, party or private bus accident, the Sacramento accident attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers can help you protect your rights as you seek justice and fair financial compensation for your losses. Contact us to begin your case with a free consultation.
Why Choose Our Sacramento Bus Accident Attorneys?
- Our goal is to maximize our clients’ physical and emotional recoveries, not just their financial ones. Our skilled team will provide you with high-quality legal representation so that you get the most out of your bus accident case.
- We’ve been representing bus accident victims in California since 1972. Our Sacramento bus accident attorneys understand how these accident cases work and have decades of experience taking on government agencies, municipalities and powerful insurance companies.
- We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay your bus accident lawyer anything unless you win your case. If an insurance company denies coverage, we will not collect a fee for our services.
How Can an Experienced Bus Accident Lawyer in Sacramento Help?
A bus accident case in Sacramento can involve many complex legal issues, such as vicarious liability, government liability, commercial vehicle safety laws and multiple injured passengers. Protecting your rights during a bus accident injury claim often requires representation from a skilled personal injury attorney in Sacramento.
An attorney can advocate for you during settlement negotiations with insurance companies to fight for maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. Your lawyer can investigate the bus accident, determine who is liable, preserve evidence, hire experts and take other steps necessary to achieve the best possible results for your case.
What Makes Bus Accident Cases Unique?
Vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian accidents involving a bus in Sacramento can lead to complicated injury claims. Oftentimes, multiple parties are involved, including drivers, private bus companies and the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT). A Sacramento bus accident lawyer from Jacoby & Meyers can use years of experience to successfully navigate the nuances of your specific case.
Liability Laws
Unlike a typical car accident, a bus accident involves more than just another motor vehicle driver when it comes to liability. The party/ies responsible for paying for the crash and the damage it caused may include:
- The bus driver
- The driver of another vehicle
- A bus company
- A government agency, such as SacRT
- A maintenance team
- A bus part or equipment manufacturer
Multiple defendants may be named in a bus accident claim, leading to greater coverage available to injured passengers or victims outside of the bus. However, there are often powerful adversaries in these cases, making it important for victims to seek legal representation.
Evidence
Bus accident investigations often turn up unique types of evidence that may be used to support a victim’s claim. Examples include the bus’s black box, a police report, photos, videos, witness statements, bus maintenance records, driver medical and driving histories, federal compliance reports, and expert testimony.
Federal Safety Laws
As commercial vehicles, buses in Sacramento must abide by certain federal laws under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This includes hours-of-service restrictions for bus drivers, drug and alcohol testing requirements, driver hiring and training procedures, licensing requirements, and special speed limits. If a bus driver or employer violates any federal laws, this can serve as evidence of liability for a bus accident claim.
Multiple Injured Parties
A bus accident can result in multiple injured passengers as well as motor vehicle occupants, cyclists and pedestrians. This can make it more difficult for each injured victim to receive fair compensation for their losses due to the limited insurance coverage available.
When multiple people are injured in a Sacramento bus accident, you may encounter disputes over payout allocations that a lawyer can help you resolve. Hiring an bus accident attorney in Sacramento can ensure the protection of your rights as you fight for a fair portion of compensation.
Injured in a Bus Crash?
Our Sacramento Bus Accident Lawyers Are Here To Help
What Is the Statute of Limitations on a Sacramento Bus Accident Claim?
In California, there’s a law that limits the amount of time you have to file a bus accident claim. California Code of Civil Procedures § 335.1, the statute of limitations, imposes a deadline of two years from the date of most traffic accidents to bring a legal cause of action.
However, if your claim is against SacRT or another government entity, the California Tort Claims Act gives you just six months to file a notice. Since waiting too long can lead to the loss of the right to pursue compensation, contact an attorney early on – before missing your deadline and before important evidence is lost.
Compensation Available to Bus Accident Victims in Sacramento, CA
As a victim of a bus accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation from one or more parties for a variety of your damages – both economic and non-economic. This includes:
- Present and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and future capacity to earn
- Property damage
- Pain, suffering and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages, in rare cases
It is critical to consult with an attorney about your case to determine its value before you accept a quick settlement from an insurance company. Insurers may try to take advantage of you, but a Sacramento bus accident attorney will protect your best interests in the fight for fair compensation.
What to Do After a Bus Accident in Sacramento, CA
If you get involved in a harmful bus accident in Sacramento, gather information at the scene, including photographs, witness statements and the bus driver’s details. When the police arrive, give them your statement. If you were driving another vehicle, do not admit fault for the accident.
Get medical care immediately for your injuries. Contact the owner of the bus to file your injury claim. Before accepting a settlement, however, you should always consult with an attorney to learn your rights.
Contact Our Sacramento Bus Accident Lawyers Today
At Jacoby & Meyers, we believe no bus accident victim should have to shoulder the burden of their physical, financial and emotional injuries alone. We are here to help you navigate a claim with the highest-quality legal services to achieve the results you deserve.
Contact our Sacramento bus accident lawyers for your free consultation to explore your rights and options. We will review the details of your case to help you move past a harmful bus accident with your rights intact. Call (916) 269-8918 today.