Dana Point Bus Accident Lawyer

Bus Accident Lawyer Helping Injured Get Compensation

Large buses are very difficult to drive and maneuver, and when involved in a crash, their size and weight can result in major damage to passengers, other motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and property. Victims of bus accidents may suffer serious injuries that leave them facing painful hospitalizations and surgeries. At such times, consulting a pedestrian accident lawyer can be crucial in navigating the legal aftermath. Those injured might also have to deal with the financial costs of medical at a time they cannot work. Some injuries may even lead to death.

If you or a loved one has been injured or someone has died in a bus accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses through insurance or by consulting with a bus accident lawyer for a personal injury lawsuit. While no amount of money can fully compensate for what you are going through, a successful claim can help alleviate your financial problems and allow you to concentrate on getting well.

Unfortunately, winning fair compensation is difficult, as bus accident claims are extremely complicated and may involve municipalities or large corporations. Private insurance companies usually handle regular bus accidents.

Still, California municipal bus companies are self-insured and have bureaucrats who decide whether your claim is valid or whether they can find rules and loopholes to throw it out. Since both bus companies and insurance providers want to pay out as little as possible and have attorneys and investigators working to deny liability, it is especially important to get legal assistance to fight for the settlement you deserve.

The Dana Point bus accident lawyers at Neale & Fhima, APC have the experience needed to investigate the accident, determine who is liable, and stand up to large bus companies and their insurers. We provide a free consultation to help you understand your rights and determine the best way to handle your case, so call us today to get started.

Why Choose Our Dana Point Bus Accident Attorneys?

Bus accident cases are more complex than other motor vehicle crash cases, such as those handled by a motorcycle accident lawyer, so it is important to find an attorney who has the knowledge, skills, and resources to deal with the myriad of local, state and federal laws, the possible government entities and the multiple companies and insurance companies that may be involved. Here are some reasons why we feel you should choose Neale & Fhima to represent you:

• We are experienced. Our attorneys have over 40 years of combined litigation experience. Attorney Aaron Fhima has earned a reputation as a tough personal injury negotiator and litigator and has recovered millions for his clients.
• With a 99% success rate, we get results for our clients and have recovered more than $50,000,000 for our clients’ injuries and losses. You can read Testimonials from those we have helped.
• Our achievements have earned us numerous firm and individual credentials, including The Top 40 Under 40, Super Lawyer, Rising Star, Best Attorneys of America, and Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the most prestigious group of trial lawyers in the United States.
• We put our clients’ needs above all else, and law firm owner, Aaron Fhima, is personally involved in every single claim.
• We deal and negotiate with insurance companies, so you won’t have to.
• We offer free initial, no-obligation consultations to get you started.
• We are accessible, with offices in Dana Point, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or San Diego CA, and available 24/7 for client emergencies.

How Our Bus Accident Attorneys Work for You

Bus companies may try to destroy evidence that can be used against them, so it is essential to perform a detailed inspection of the damage to the bus before it is repaired and to investigate as soon as possible while evidence and witnesses can be found. When you have our Neale & Fhima legal team on your side, we will start working on your case immediately. We will:

• Meet with you to discuss how the accident happened and who the at-fault parties may be
• Evaluate your damages and estimate what your case may be worth
• Investigate the accident scene to gather and preserve evidence, such as from damage to the bus, traffic videos and photographs, police, ambulance, and medical records and reports, from bus maintenance and employee hiring and training records, and from interviews with witnesses and first responders
• Hire experts to reconstruct the accident and determine fault, and experts to testify as to the costs and extent of your injuries and the effects on your life into the future
• Deal and negotiate with insurance companies and their attorneys for a fair settlement
• Build your case and take it to court if necessary.

Bus Accident Lawyers Must Prove Negligence

Proving that another party or parties (the defendants in the case) were negligent and at fault for causing the accident that resulted in your injuries is essential to winning your bus accident case.

The following are the elements of negligence that must be presented in a personal injury claim:

• Duty: The defendant owed you a duty of care not to cause harm.
• Breach: The defendant breached this duty by actions or failure to act.
• Cause: This breach resulted in the accident that caused your injuries.
• Damage: You suffered actual damages as a result.

Depending on the individual circumstances of the accident, there may be multiple parties who were negligent, contributed to, and can be held liable for bus accidents. Some potentially liable parties may include:

• The bus driver, who might have driven while exhausted or intoxicated, or who failed to follow safety regulations or the rules of the road
• The company that owned the bus, which is responsible for the proper maintenance and upkeep of vehicles and seeing that drivers are properly trained and working within the mandated maximums for driving hours and mileage
• The manufacturer of the bus or its parts, if these were defective or failed
• Third-party contractors or other drivers that may have been involved in the crash
• Maintenance crews who failed to repair the bus properly
• Government entities responsible for public buses.

Our Dana Point bus accident lawyers will investigate thoroughly to identify all parties who may have contributed to the accident and name them as defendants in the case, as they all may have assets and insurance that can go toward a settlement.

Damages Our Dana Point Bus Accident Lawyers May Recover

In a successful bus accident case, you may recover an award called damages to compensate for your economic or monetary losses and expenses from the accident. Economic damages may include medical and rehabilitation costs, property damage, and loss of income from being unable to work.

You may also receive an award for your non-economic damages, which don’t have a specific monetary value, but negatively impact your life, such as:

• physical pain and suffering
• emotional distress, anguish, or depression
• loss of companionship or consortium
• disability
• loss of enjoyment of life.

California does not limit the amount of compensatory economic or non-economic damages that you can recover in most personal injury cases.

Punitive damages. In some rare cases, when it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant has been guilty of oppression, fraud, or malice, you may also be awarded punitive damages, also called exemplary damages in California (section 3294).

Dana Point Bus Accident Attorneys Answer Frequently Asked Questions

After a serious bus accident, you are bound to have questions and concerns. These are best answered at your free consultation, but to get started, here are some answers to common questions our bus accident attorneys often are asked:

What damage award amount will I receive?

Damage award amounts for bus accidents vary widely and may range from thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the individual circumstances of your case. In general, settlements will be higher in situations where injuries are severe, permanent, or require expensive treatment and continuing care or if a wrongful death was involved.

Are there deadlines for filing a case?

Yes, and deadlines depend on the type of bus involved. If filing a personal injury case, such as against the bus driver or a private or tour bus, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of your accident. If the accident occurred on a public or municipal bus, you only have six months from the date of your injury to file your claim against a government entity. If the bus accident victim was a minor, these time limits don’t start until they reach the age of 18.

What government organizations regulate buses?

The passenger carrier industry is heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) which sets rules to promote safety and keep passengers and the public safe. Different rules apply to different types of buses – public buses, charter buses, school buses, etc.); your attorney should examine your individual situation to determine if any regulatory violations may have caused or contributed to your crash.

What if a loved one died in a bus accident?

If a loved one died in a fatal bus accident, California’s wrongful death laws (section 377.60) allow surviving family members to file claims to receive compensation if someone’s negligent actions result in the death of their loved one. Damages may include:

• Medical bills for the care of the deceased right before death
• Funeral, and burial expenses.
• Loss of companionship, love, emotional support, sexual relations, and guidance
• Lost financial support the deceased would have provided.

When you retain Neale & Fhima, we will be there to answer your questions and address your concerns throughout the entire legal process.

Call Our Dana Point Bus Accident Lawyers for Help

At Neale & Fhima P.C., our skilled bus accident attorneys are here to help guide you through the maze of multiple insurance companies and deal with the intersection of local, state and federal laws that apply to most bus companies and regional transportation authorities in the state.

We can determine the parties responsible for the accident, gather evidence supporting your claim, and negotiate a just settlement or litigate your case in court if necessary. Let us take the burden off you and handle all necessary legal hurdles and requirements, so you can focus on your recovery.

Call us now to evaluate your case and determine the best way to recover the compensation you need to help rebuild your life.

Get Help Now 888-407-2955