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Irvine Bus Accident Lawyer
Although accidents involving buses occur less commonly in California than typical car accidents, when they do happen, they can be deadly. When a bus collides with a pedestrian, bicyclist, or another vehicle, serious damages often result, and the passengers on the bus often also suffer injuries.
If a person was injured in a bus accident and believes that the bus driver may have been at fault, they may be entitled to recover substantial sums for their injuries. An experienced Irvine bus accident lawyer will help the person determine their legal rights and will assist them in obtaining the remedy they deserve. To learn more or discuss your case, consult with an seasoned personal injury attorney today.
What Are the Elements of a Bus Accident Claim?
In order to collect for their injuries, a person will need to prove in a court of law that the bus driver owed a duty of careĀ and that they breached that duty of care. Buses are common carriers, and these cases involve a subset of the law called common carrier law.
Since passengers on a bus have little control over whether or not they will be involved in an accident, common carrier drivers are held to a heightened standard of care when operating their vehicles.
Whether someone was a passenger on a bus that was involved in an accidentĀ or a person was hit by a bus while on foot or in another vehicle, they must prove that their injuries were the direct result of the bus driverās breach of their duty of care in order to recover.
Many different elements of theĀ state, local, and even federal laws can affect the courtās determination of these issues. A person must ensure that they have the assistance of someone who understands all the applicable laws affecting their case in order to successfully bring a personal injury claim against the party responsible.
There are also important deadlines they must meet to ensure they do not miss out on the chance to recover for injuries. A bus accident lawyer in Irvine can help ensure that they meet all the legal requirements to allow them to obtain the legal remedy they deserve.
Bus Laws in California
Common carrier laws in Irvine affect all cases that are brought against individuals and businesses that transport people from one place to another for a fee. Common carrier services are those that are offered to the general publicĀ and are licensed and regulated by some governing body.
Both private companies and public government entities can be common carriers, and therefore the specific laws that will apply to a person’s case will depend on the type of bus that was involved in the accident. The assistance of a bus accident attorney in Irvine with experience in this specialized area of law will be invaluable in bringing a claim against the transportation agency responsible for the person’s injuries.
What Is the Standard of Care for Bus Drivers?
Because they transport the general public, bus drivers are held to a higher standard of care than ordinary drivers. Common carriers must ensure that their drivers maintain the highest degree of care and attention regarding the safety of their passengers. Proving negligence by a bus driver is thus a different process than is proving negligence in a typical car accident case. If someone can prove that the bus driver was acting negligently when the accident occurred, the injured person will likely be able to collect from the company that employed the driver.
An attorney who understands these laws regulating common carriers will be able to assist in collecting the necessary evidence to prove all the required elements of a personal injury claim.
Statute of Limitations
California law limits the amount of time in which a person must bring a claim for damages against the party responsible for your injury. Californiaās statute of limitations may be found in the California Code of Civil Procedure, Section 335.1.
Understanding and abiding by the statute of limitations is extremely important in an Irvine bus accident case, and if a person fails to file their lawsuit within the deadlines contained in the statute of limitations, they will lose your chance to collect for your injuries.
California law generally requires that a person brings any personal injury claim within two years from the date of the accident. Shorter deadlines may apply, however, if a person is bringing their claim against a local government agency.
If a person was injured in Irvine as the result of a public bus driverās negligence, they will likely need to bring their claim against the local transportation authority – i.e., against the Orange County Transit Authority. An Irvine bus accident lawyer will be able to assist in ensuring the person meets all deadlines applicable to their case.
Contact an Irvine Bus Accident Attorney
Bus accidents can result in serious, sometimes devastating injuries. Filing a lawsuit while a person is trying to recover from their physical injuries may seem overwhelming, but it is important to understand what laws and deadlines may apply to their case.
If someone believes their injuries were the result of someone elseās negligent action, they should move quickly to pursue the legal relief they are entitled to. An Irvine bus accident lawyer can help discuss all the legal options available and get started on filing the claim.