Accidents involving a bus are inherently complicated cases due to the number of people typically involved and the different legal standards that may apply depending upon the type of bus involved in the collision.Hence,someone injured in a bus accident needs to understand their legal rights and ensure they have top-notch legal representation to help guide them through the injury claims process. At Los Angeles City Law, we specialize in personal injury and our seasoned lawyers utilize their extensive experience to represent their clients for the best possible outcome. Our attorneys’ skills and knowledge are vital to conducting a thorough analysis to ensure you are in the best position to pursue financial restitution for your harms and losses.
The Common California Carrier Rule
The common carrier rule is a California law stating that we should expect bus drivers to use a higher duty of care when providing transportation for citizens. Common carriers must exercise the highest care and vigilance to reasonably avoid harm to passengers.
All drivers are responsible for a duty of care to passengers, but they only have to exercise reasonable care. Hence, the common carrier rule differs from the duty of care owed in the average personal injury claim.
If you are unsure whether the bus driver in question acted within their duty of care, then it is in your best interest to consult with a Los Angeles bus accident attorney as soon as possible.
Public Bus vs Private Bus Legalities
One of the most important pieces of information that needs to be confirmed when assessing your legal options in the wake of a bus accident is whether the bus was a public vehicle (e.g., city bus, county bus, etc.) or a private bus (e.g., tour bus). If, for example, you were involved in an accident with a private bus, you will need to file a personal injury claim against the private company that owns the bus.
If, on the other hand, you were injured in an accident with a public bus, you will need to file a lawsuit against a government agency. Why? Because public buses are generally owned by the local government. Personal injury claims filed against public accidents are claims against the government.
The private versus public issue needs to be addressed because of the different statute of limitations that may apply. For example, a personal injury lawsuit against a private bus company must be filed within two years of the date of the collision.
On the other hands, the statute of limitations that applies to claims against government agencies is only six months. Yes, you read that correctly. If you were injured in a collision with a public bus, you need to take legal action within six months.
Don’t Let Insurance Companies Belittle Your Accident Claim. Work with the Best, Los Angeles City Law
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a bus accident, it is extremely important to have a well-respected and experienced personal injury lawyer in your corner.At Los Angeles City Law, we are committed to skillfully employing our wealth of experience in pursuit of your claim’s optimal outcome. There is no financial risk to you. For further information or to schedule an appointment please contact LA City Law at 866-522-4895 or visit www.LACityLaw.com to learn more.