Any accident involving a motor vehicle is traumatizing to your body and mind. However, the potential for injury is that much worse when you are traveling on a commercial vehicle. Buses, in particular, have a high rate of accidents that result in severe injuries, property damage, and death to passengers and bystanders.
If you or someone in your family was injured from a bus accident in the city of Porterville, our lawyers would like the opportunity to speak with you. Based on the circumstances of the accident, you may have cause to file a claim for compensation, such as medical expenses, emotional distress, and income lost from your job. The key is to figure out exactly how the accident occurred and who is responsible for your physical and mental suffering.
Bus accidents are much more complicated that the average car accident claim. To ensure a fair and timely resolution to your case, it’s important to work with a law firm that specializes in public transportation vehicle accidents. The legal team of Normandie is standing by to help with all your questions and concerns. If you are in need of legal advice from a Porterville bus accident attorney, contact us today for a free consultation.
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Why Bus Accidents Happen in Porterville, CA
Porterville is a bustling city that serves as the economic hub of Tulare County and the Southern Sierra region. The city has its own shuttle service, but residents and visitors can also take advantage of public transportation bus service through TCaT, officially known as the Tulare County Area Transit
Accidents involving a public or private transportation bus can happen for many different reasons. And it’s important to acknowledge that 100% safety is not guaranteed when you are on board a motor vehicle. But these incidents should not occur as a result of neglect or misconduct, which include but are not limited to:
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Failure to obey traffic rules by the driver
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Distracted / careless driving
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Bus company’s failure to make repairs / schedule maintenance
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Speeding, tailgating, and other reckless behavior that put people’s lives at risk
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Operating the bus while fatigued or drowsy from medication
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Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
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Defective or missing seatbelts
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Engine fires, slip and fall hazards, and other dangerous conditions inside the bus
Injuries from a Bus Accident
A bus accident can harm multiple people in just seconds, and those who are affected must seek medical attention immediately. Otherwise, they can end up with permanent complications, including brain damage, blindness, and paralysis. Below are just some of the injuries you can sustain from a bus accident:
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Head trauma resulting in brain injury
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Broken bones
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Dislocated joints
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Spinal cord or neck injury
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Deep lacerations that cause scarring and infections
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Rupturing of the spleen and other injuries to internal organs
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Soft tissue injuries (damage to ligaments and tendons)
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Herniated disc
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Permanent nerve damage
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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
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Death
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Coma
Can I Sue for a Bus Accident?
Both private and public bus companies have a duty to protect passengers from harm, along with pedestrians and other drivers on the road. Accidents are inevitable to some degree, but many incidents where someone is injured could have been prevented by reasonable, common sense measures. Following established protocols and paying attention while driving is critical to people’s safety on a bus. Bus companies must also keep up with maintenance and repairs on all their vehicles.
On the other hand, you also have accidents where the bus driver and/or company are not at fault. A common example involves people who are standing in the bus and not holding onto a handrail or strap. Or, they may be engaging in other conduct that puts them at risk of falling down or getting hurt in some other way if the bus comes to a sudden stop.
With many of the claims we handle, bus companies will do whatever they can to put the blame on the victim, rather than accept that they failed in their duty of care. A bus accident attorney can investigate what happened, gather evidence of negligence by the bus company, and fight for the financial restitution you deserve.
How Much Time Do I have to File a Lawsuit?
The general statute of limitations for a bus accident is 2 years, and this window of time normally begins on the date of the accident. The deadline is different if are suing for wrongful death, meaning you lost a loved one to a bus accident. With very few exceptions, the statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death, so either way, there is a finite amount of time in which to seek monetary damages.
Filing a Government Claim for a Bus Accident
If you are suing for a public transportation accident, you may need to file a claim with a government entity, like Tulare County Area Transit (TCaT). In these instances, a claim must be filed within 6 months from the date of the event. This is a much shorter amount of time that the normal statute of limitations for a personal injury case. With that in mind, reach out to us immediately and seek help from a lawyer with experience in bus accident injuries.
Our Law Firm is Ready to Help
Those who suffered bodily harm and emotional trauma from another party’s negligence need advice regarding their rights and legal options. That’s why Normandie is here for you 24/7 if you or your loved one was harmed in a bus accident.
Our commitment to accident victims includes the Zero Fee Guarantee, which allows you to obtain legal services for $0 upfront. We operate on contingency, meaning it’s the other party that pays for the costs associated with your case. So, if we succeed in recovering your payment, legal fees are paid as a part of your settlement. If we fail to win your case, you owe us absolutely nothing.
We hope this policy will give you the needed reassurance to reach out and talk to a bus accident attorney in Porterville.
Our Law Firm is Ready to Help
Those who suffered bodily harm and emotional trauma from another party’s negligence need advice regarding their rights and legal options. That’s why Normandie is here for you 24/7 if you or your loved one was harmed in a bus accident.
Our commitment to accident victims includes the Zero Fee Guarantee, which allows you to obtain legal services for $0 upfront. We operate on contingency, meaning it’s the other party that pays for the costs associated with your case. So, if we succeed in recovering your payment, legal fees are paid as a part of your settlement. If we fail to win your case, you owe us absolutely nothing.
We hope this policy will give you the needed reassurance to reach out and talk to a bus accident attorney in Porterville.
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