Bus companies often provide those living or traveling through spots like Goleta, California and the surrounding areas with a convenient alternative to using their own vehicles when they need to get around this part of the state. Unfortunately, sometimes bus companies, bus drivers, or even government agencies are negligent in a way that allows bus accidents to happen.
Being involved in an accident with a large and heavy vehicle like a bus can have a devastating impact on a victim’s life if they survive the collision. Buses and other such large vehicles have the potential to cause major harm. The injuries a person sustains as a result of being involved in a bus accident will likely require costly medical treatment. They can also permanently limit a victim’s mobility, cognition, and other factors related to their quality of life.
When victims are hurt in bus accidents resulting from negligence, California law allows them to seek financial compensation for their losses. They may do so by filing claims or lawsuits to collect from the insurance of the negligent party.
Filing a claim does not tend to immediately result in a victim receiving the compensation they deserve based on the extent of their losses and injuries. Insurance companies often attempt to convince victims that they should settle for less than they are genuinely owed.
If you’re seeking compensation from a negligent party after a bus accident, strongly consider hiring a Goleta bus accident attorney to represent you. Our team at the Law Offices of John B. Richards will negotiate with insurers and liable parties on your behalf. Having proper representation from a legal expert significantly boosts your chances of recovering the full amount of compensation for which you may be eligible.
It’s not uncommon for bus accidents to happen in Goleta and other parts of California because a bus driver and/or their employer has been careless in some capacity. Naturally, if a bus driver is disobeying the rules of the road or otherwise driving in an unsafe manner, the chances of nearby motorists being harmed in a collision will be greater than usual.
Bus accidents can also happen when negligent bus companies fail to properly train drivers, fail to thoroughly confirm the drivers they hire are qualified for their jobs or fail to maintain their fleets.
Government agencies might even put drivers and pedestrians in harm’s way if they are negligent. For example, a bus accident’s direct cause might be a hazardous road condition that prevents a bus driver from controlling their vehicle. The government agency responsible for identifying these types of conditions and taking steps to mitigate them could be liable for providing victims with compensation in these circumstances.
Correctly identifying any and all liable parties is just one of many ways a Goleta, CA bus accident lawyer can help you secure compensation. To learn more about how we at the Law Offices of John B. Richards can help, contact us online or call us at 805-683-2736 to schedule your free case evaluation.