VINE Transit Bus Accident Attorney

VINE Transit buses provide residents and visitors with public transportation throughout Napa County, as well as Solano County, Sonoma County, and Contra Costa County. They are an affordable and efficient mode of transport, and VINE Transit’s grey buses are a familiar site for many Californians. While these vehicles are generally safe, a driver’s reckless actions can lead to life-altering injuries for passengers and motorists. Pedestrians and bicyclists are vulnerable as well, which is why drivers are held to the highest standard of safety while they’re working for VINE Transit. Along with the bus driver, Transdev – the company that operates VINE Transit – may be responsible in a lawsuit for injuries under the laws of vicarious liability.

If you’ve been involved in a VINE Transit bus accident, you may be able to sue Transdev for monetary damages. However you must take action right away to protect your right to compensation and ensure that you are fully covered for your losses. Knowing your legal rights is particularly important with bus accidents, as the claims process is different for government entity versus private company lawsuits. For more information on the legal process for bus injury compensation, contact our office and speak to a VINE Transit Bus Accident Attorney.

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Injuries and Damages from a VINE Transit Bus Accident

• Passenger Injuries

Passengers in a bus crash can suffer from a wide variety of injuries, including whiplash, broken bones, bruising and lacerations, hand and ankle sprains, damage to the internal organs, and third-degree burns.

• Injuries to Pedestrians

Due to the size and weight of a bus, the damage to a pedestrian is much more substantial that what you would expect in a regular car accident. Death is not uncommon in these cases, along with other severe injuries, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord damage, multiple broken bones and fractures, and internal organ damage.

• Injuries to bicyclists

Bicyclists suffer many of the same injuries as a pedestrian when they’re struck by a bus. The severity of damage is often associated with the cyclist being thrown off the bike and hitting the ground, curb, or another vehicle. A VINE transit bus can also roll over the cyclist, causing death or other serious injuries.

• Property damage to bikes and other vehicles

Any one of the above accidents can result in significant property damage to bikes and other vehicles. Owners have the right to sue for these damages and receive compensation from the responsible parties.

Compensation from a VINE Transit Accident Lawsuit

The types of compensation you can receive from a VINE Transit accident depends on numerous factors, like the number and severity of your injuries, and the losses you have incurred as a result of those injuries. Here are some of the damages that may be available to you:

• Surgery, hospitalization, and medication costs right after your accident.
• On-going medical costs, like physical therapy and doctor’s visits after your accident.
• Therapy to help you with PTSD, anxiety, and other forms of emotional trauma.
• Lost income if you needed time off from work.
• Lost earning capacity if you have to give up your job or can’t work anymore.
• Punitive damages if the negligence by Transdev that caused your accident was especially outrageous.

These damages relate to personal injury claims, but what if you’ve lost a family member or loved one to a Vine Transit bus accident? In that case, you may be eligible for a wrongful death compensation claim. Compensation for wrongful death includes:

• Funeral expenses.
• Medical bills associated with your loved one’s accident.
• Loss of wages as a result of the decedent’s passing.
• Lost inheritance.
• Lost benefits (medical insurance, pension, etc.).
• Loss of consortium.

There may be other damages available to you, which you can discuss with one of our attorneys. Contact Normandie Law Firm and schedule a free consultation.

Do I have to File a Government Claim?

No, you do not have to file a government claim if you were injured in Vine Transit bus accident. We get this question a lot, because Vine buses are considered a form of public transportation. While this is true, VINE Transit is actually owned by Transdev, which is a non-government company. If Transdev was a government entity like LA Metro, you would have to file an injury claim with the state within 6 months of your bus accident. Since Transdev is a private company, you can contact them directly regarding a claim for injuries. If your claim is rejected or you’re not getting anywhere with negotiating a settlement, a personal injury lawyer can help you file a lawsuit for damages.

To protect your interests right from the start, we recommend speaking to an attorney as soon as you can. Many victims initiate an insurance claim on their own, thinking that it will be a straight-forward process. But the more extensive your injuries and the more complex your accident, the more resistance you are likely to receive from Transdev’s insurers. A knowledgeable bus accident lawyer can fight for your rights and take the necessary actions to settle your claim.

Statute of Limitations for a VINE Transit lawsuit

As a non-government entity, the statute of limitations for a VINE Transit lawsuit it two years from the date of your accident. With wrongful death claims, loved ones have two years from the date of death to file a lawsuit.

If you don’t file your lawsuit within the 2-year period, you will lose your right to monetary damages from Transdev. An exception may be granted in certain cases, for example, if you were out of the state between your accident date and the expiration of the statute of limitations. It’s possible the court may grant an extension based on the time you were not in California. While extensions are not guaranteed, we will be happy to look into any possible exceptions that may apply to you. To find out more about filing extensions for a bus accident lawsuit, please contact our office.

What is the Value of a VINE Transit Accident Case?

It’s difficult to give an average value of a bus injury case with VINE Transit, since each accident has its own set of circumstances. Quite a number of our cases were valued at $100,000 or more, depending on the degree of injury and their long-term effects on the client’s life. If gross negligence was involved, meaning the driver and/or Transdev was particularly reckless in their actions, $250,000 or more is possible. In cases of permanent injuries like paralysis, we’ve recovered $1 million or more, though it all depends on the client’s losses.

For example, a particularly traumatic bus crash that resulted in permanent paralysis will probably make it impossible for the victim to return to work. They may not be able to work at all, in fact, and will likely have trouble with basic tasks and taking care of their family. Additionally, they will need lifetime treatment for their physical injuries and emotional trauma. Depending on the victim’s age, a fair settlement amount could be over $1 million.

Then again, many bus accident injuries are not as severe as the above example. That probably means you can go back to work and resume many of the activities you enjoyed prior to your accident. Such injury claims are typically in the five-figure range as they’re largely based on your medical needs. Frankly, it’s not the exact numbers that matter. The focus should be to recover a fair and adequate settlement that meets the victim’s needs. That’s why we take aggressive action right from the start and do everything we can to resolve the case as soon as possible. However, we are fully prepared to argue your case in court if the other side is acting in bad faith.

How Long Does it Take to Settle a VINE Transit Injury Case?

We mentioned our efforts to settle your claim as soon as possible, but “soon” is a relative term, especially with personal injury cases. If all things go as planned and Transdev offers a reasonable amount of compensation, your case may be settled within 6 months. However, the timeline noticeably increases once you proceed with a lawsuit. At that point, private negotiations are no longer possible and you are prepared to take your case to court, if necessary. That can extend the amount of time to over 2 years before your case is settled.

However, most cases do not go to trial and are settled via mediation, which is a settlement conference ordered by the courts. But it could take a year or more from your accident date to be scheduled for mediation. The takeaway is, there’s no shortcut to the finish line once you’re at the lawsuit stage.

A lot of clients figure this out and feel pressured to settle early in the case. But agreeing to an insufficient award can hurt you in the long run. If you need further medical treatments or therapy session in the future, you may not be able to pay for them without adequate compensation. You may also face financial hardship depending on how long you are out of work, or if you end up not being able to work at all. Our VINE Transit bus accident lawyers take all this into account when they calculate a settlement for damages. Having said that, the decision to take any legal action is always yours. We are here to advise you on the pros and cons and help you achieve the results that are in your best interest.

Can I Switch Lawyers if I Have an Open Lawsuit?

Yes, you can change lawyers even if you have an open lawsuit for bus injury or wrongful death compensation. But switching lawyers is not something you should do without consulting an experienced personal injury attorney. There are consequences to ending your attorney-client relationship, which will be explained in your contract. We can go over these terms with you to ensure there are no misunderstandings.

If you’re dissatisfied with your current law firm, please schedule a free second opinion with one of our attorneys. You may have suspicions that your case is not being handled correctly, or that the settlement calculated by your attorney is too low. These are legitimate reasons to change counsel, but you should discuss the pros and cons of finding a new lawyer before making your decision.

The Bus Accident Lawyers of Normandie

Have you been injured by a VINE Transit bus and need to find out about your rights and legal options? Are you in the middle of an injury lawsuit against Transdev, but no longer have faith in your attorney’s abilities? If either of these situations applies to you, contact the bus accident lawyers of Normandie without delay.

During an initial consultation or second opinion, we will answer all your questions and advise you on the legal options you can take against the responsible parties. Both consultations are free, along with all of our services until we win your case. And if we lose your case, there’s absolutely no cost to you since we only get paid if you get paid. That’s a promise under our Zero fee guarantee, so don’t hesitate to give us a call regarding a VINE Transit bus accident.

Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
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Ventura County School Bus Roll Over Accident – Bus Injury Lawyers
How Long does it take to Settle a Bus Accident Lawsuit?