Burbank Bus Accident Lawyer

Whether you hop on the city’s BurbankBus Pink Route, your child rides a Burbank Unified School District bus, or you are taking the Greyhound north, bus travel is economical and often safer than some transportation modes. However, accidents do still occur, and if you are in one, the injuries and losses you sustain could affect every aspect of your life.

Fortunately, you could be eligible to collect compensation for your medical care and lost income during recovery. Consult with a Burbank bus accident lawyer to review your case. Our skilled personal injury attorneys at Block LLP have experience in claims involving common carriers and could help you get the compensation you deserve.

Bus Accidents and Negligence

Special licenses apply to bus and truck drivers. The commercial driver’s license (CDL) requires training and testing beyond a standard driver’s license, ensuring that the person handling the larger vehicle can perform the job. If the driver is negligent and a passenger, pedestrian, or other motorist is injured, there may be grounds for a lawsuit, and the driver’s employer could also be held vicariously liable.

The onus of proof falls on the injured person who must present evidence of negligence. The elements of negligence include a duty to act as any reasonable person would act, failing to maintain that standard, causing an accident due to this breach, and the accident causing injuries and losses. The bus driver may not be the only possible defendant if there is a wreck. Others can include:

• The bus’s manufacturer if defective parts contribute to a crash
• A motorist who ignores or breaks traffic regulations such as yielding to the right of way
• The City of Burbank if one in the fleet of BurbankBus vehicles is improperly maintained and malfunctions, causing an accident
• A private carrier such as Greyhound, by vicarious liability, if the bus driver is not properly credentialed or the company fails to conduct a background check

A Burbank bus accident attorney could examine the evidence to determine if more than one defendant should be held responsible.

Federal Laws for Minimum Insurance

Buses that transport more than 15 people must carry at least $5 million in liability insurance, according to The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Smaller buses, such as shuttles and those used for sightseeing that carry fewer than 15 passengers, must carry a minimum of $1.5 million in liability insurance.

Government Defendants: City and School Buses

The government has sovereign immunity against many claims, but when a city, county, or school district bus driver is responsible for an accident with injuries, it can be held liable. Sovereign immunity may sound unfair, but the government is not providing transportation services for profit and it could not maintain the low cost for residents if it had to answer to a lot of lawsuits.

However, the government does recognize that some claims, such as transportation accidents, are fair and necessary when a resident faces significant medical bills and a long recovery. The process for suing the government is unique, with additional notices and restrictions on recovery. A bus accident attorney in Burbank understands this process and could help an injured person protect their rights.

Let a Burbank Bus Accident Attorney Work for You

Bus accidents have the potential to be overwhelmingly catastrophic whether you are a pedestrian hit by one or a passenger traveling in one. You will want to know who is responsible and if you can hold them accountable for your injuries.

One of our experienced attorneys could help you be compensated for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, emotional trauma, and other losses. We understand how the system works and what you will need to pay your bills and adjust to your new way of life as you recover. Contact a Burbank bus accident lawyer to discuss your case today.