Orange County Bus Accident Lawyer
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Like commercial aircraft, buses provide one of the safest forms of transportation. Weighing up to 44,000 pounds when fully loaded, these behemoths offer the protection of size, similar to semi-trailers. It’s a basic fact that riders in larger vehicles tend to suffer fewer and less serious injuries. For example, bus passengers sustain fewer serious injuries when a bus collides with a small vehicle, motorcycle, van, or truck.
This makes buses a safe form of transportation–for those aboard. But what about the other people on the road? Drivers of cars, bikers, cyclists, and pedestrians fare worse in terms of injuries and fatalities when struck by vehicles of larger size. As a result, the most severe bus accident claims usually come from those outside the bus.
But that is not always the case. As with airplanes, catastrophic bus accidents are rare–hence the excellent safety record for passengers. But when a bus accident disaster happens, such as a bus slamming into a bridge or rolling over, casualties among those aboard can be as bad or worse than other types of vehicle wrecks.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does not require bus riders to wear seat belts. The operators decline to offer them as an option on most public and private buses. As a result, when a rare bus accident calamity happens, passengers are thrown from their seats, striking the ceiling, windows, seat backs, and other passengers—the result is a mass casualty disaster.
In addition, passengers standing, such as when waiting for their stop, can be propelled forward into the windshield or other parts of the bus in a sudden impact collision, resulting in serious harm.
You have the right to compensation whether you sustained injuries as a bus passenger, occupant of a vehicle struck by a bus, or as a pedestrian or cyclist. Negligent actions by drivers, transportation companies, and municipalities often lead to bus accident injuries.
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Why Choose Nordean Law For Your Bus Accident Claim In Orange County?
Nordean Law bus accident lawyers provide its clients with a litigation team that builds airtight personal injury cases. Our personal injury lawyer at Orange County has worked on bus accident claims and understands how to build a case against guilty parties, negotiate for large settlements, and win claims before a jury.
We never stop fighting until our clients are made whole.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Bus Accident Claim?
If you have sustained any injury, you need an Orange County bus accident attorney on your side.
Unlike a private passenger vehicle, a company or municipality owns most buses, whether commuter buses, school buses, tour buses, or party buses. These enterprises have legal departments and litigators on retainer. They have been involved in bus accident cases before and have a game plan for their defense before an accident even happens.
Once a bus accident occurs, these companies have employees who race to the scene to document and preserve evidence beneficial to them. They then await a claim from the injured party and put their usual game plan into play: deny, delay, offer low settlements, try to wear out the plaintiff, blame the plaintiff, and force a settlement on their terms.
Nordean Law’s bus accident attorneys in Orange County provide the legal representation you need to counter the bus company’s or municipality’s attempt to minimize your claim. Your bus accident lawyer investigates your claim, builds a case, and convinces the defense that they are fighting a losing battle.
In most cases, once your lawyer has a solid case, the other side becomes motivated to settle. But should they fail to see reason, your bus accident lawyer will take the case to trial and win a significant award based on California’s unlimited general damages.
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Common Type Of Bus Accident Injuries
When a bus collides with a smaller vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist, we see serious injuries and fatalities in some unfortunate cases. Large vehicles do a lot of damage to the human body.
When a bus accident catastrophe occurs, such as a rollover, we see the same types of severe injuries:
- Head trauma
- Traumatic brain injury
- Paralysis
- Broken bones
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Eye injuries
- Facial disfigurement
- Burns
- Death
Common Causes of Bus Accident Injuries
Since buses are a safer form of transportation than cars, many people wonder what causes bus accident injuries. Often, negligent actions on the part of the driver or bus owner are the cause of the accident, including these examples:
Careless Driving
Bus drivers may not pay appropriate attention to traffic while changing lanes or completing other maneuvers. They are then apt to strike other vehicles, injuring their occupants and possibly the bus passengers.
Distracted Driving
Bus driver training includes an emphasis on paying attention at all times. Nonetheless, we see cases where a driver was distracted by eating, talking, or texting, all terrible ideas while operating vehicles that weigh up to 44,000 pounds.
Driver Fatigue
Like many professionals, bus drivers face pressure on the job. In addition to navigating a behemoth of a vehicle through traffic, they may also face a grueling work schedule requiring long shifts and overtime. A tired driver is more likely to make a grave mistake, such as misjudging distance or failing to see another vehicle or pedestrian.
Poor Maintenance
Maintenance for buses is even more critical than for other types of vehicles. For instance, buses take longer to stop than other vehicles, so faulty brakes can easily cause them to slide into another car or pedestrian.
Manufacturing Defects
Bus makers must deliver a safe and reliable product. Sometimes, a “lemon” of a bus gets past quality control and is involved in an accident due to structural, mechanical, safety, or other failures.
Inexperience or Poor Training
Driving a bus requires unique skills, similar to driving a semi-truck. It takes training and practice to be safe–especially when driving in dense urban areas. Inexperienced or poorly trained drivers cause a large proportion of bus accidents.
Aggressive Driving
Some bus drivers take it as their job to force everyone else out of the way, especially in crowded areas. This attitude can lead to deadly consequences.
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Orange County Bus Accidents Statistics
- Over 100,000 buses operate in California.
- Over 990,000 buses operate nationwide.
- Over 63,000 buses are involved in accidents annually nationwide.
- About 13,600 people suffer injuries in school bus accidents annually.
- About 55% of people injured or killed in bus accidents are driving or passengers in other vehicles.
What Are The Most Dangerous Intersection in Orange County, CA?
Knowing which streets are dangerous can help you choose safer routes in the city. It can also make you more alert if you are on a risky street.
According to the study from Aitkenlaw, here are the 10 most dangerous intersections in Orange County, California. Aitkenlaw collaborated with 1Point21 Interactive, a data visualization company that analyzed collision data nationwide, to obtain the information.
Between 2010 and 2019, Orange County intersections saw almost 60,000 traffic collisions. These accidents resulted in 328 fatalities and 55,891 injuries.
Alicia Pkwy & Jeronimo Rd, Mission Viejo: This intersection saw 66 crashes and six severe injuries. It has a Crash Risk Index (CRI) score of 162, indicating a high risk of accidents.
Euclid St & Orangethorpe Av, Fullerton: This intersection experienced 72 crashes. Despite no severe injuries or fatalities, its CRI score is 142.5 due to the high number of crashes.
Chapman Av & Harbor Bl, Fullerton: With 78 crashes and one severe injury, this intersection has a CRI score of 138.75.
Ellis & Newland, Huntington Beach: This intersection saw 42 crashes and two severe injuries, resulting in a CRI score of 124.5.
Commonwealth Av & Harbor Bl, Fullerton: This intersection had 61 crashes and one severe injury, leading to a CRI score of 121.5.
Harbor Bl & Orangethorpe Av, Fullerton: With 55 crashes and two severe injuries, this intersection has a CRI score of 119.25.
Chapman Av & Commonwealth Av, Fullerton: This intersection experienced 53 crashes and one severe injury, resulting in a CRI score of 116.25.
Gothard & Heil, Huntington Beach: This intersection saw 47 crashes and two severe injuries, leading to a CRI score of 110.25.
Magnolia & Yorktown, Huntington Beach: With 33 crashes and one severe injury, this intersection has a CRI score of 108.75.
Acacia Av & Kimberly Av, Fullerton: This intersection experienced 43 crashes, one severe injury, and two fatalities, resulting in a CRI score of 103.5.
These intersections were ranked based on a Crash Risk Index (CRI) that weighs the volume of collisions and severity of injuries. The higher the CRI score, the more dangerous the intersection is considered.
What To Do After A Bus Accident?
If you or others have been injured, tend to the medical issues first. In addition, if you are in another vehicle and an unsafe location, move if possible.
If you are relatively uninjured, follow these steps to protect your legal rights:
- Contact the authorities
- Follow police and EMT instructions.
- Seek medical attention
- Gather evidence, such as pictures and videos of damaged vehicles, road conditions, and your injuries
- Write notes about what happened while memories remain fresh.
- Contact Nordean Law bus accident lawyers in Orange County. Our team will build a strong case to maximize your settlement of an award & also pay you when they win your case.
How Does The Investigation Process Work?
Lawsuits began with discovery, a process where each side has the legal right to subpoena information from third parties and demand evidence held by each other.
After a bus accident, we start by interviewing our client and understanding the claim’s issues. Once the lawsuit is filed, we use our legal powers to gather additional evidence, such as bus company records, dash cam videos, and witness statements.
The process then moves to interrogatories, which consist of written questions each side poses to the opponent’s witnesses. Interrogatories are followed by depositions, where we interview the other side’s witnesses. Finally, interrogatories and depositions are fact-finding tools that help us develop additional evidence and build a solid case.
How Much Is My Bus Accident Worth?
Bus accident claims based on minor injuries may be worth a few thousand dollars in medical bills and inconvenience. However, severe injuries, such as paralysis after a pedestrian was hit by a bus or burns from a bus-car accident, can be worth hundreds of thousands to millions.
It depends on the severity of the damages and the amount of guilt a court assigns to the bus driver or company.
California law allows for three types of damages: economic, non-economic, and punitive.
Economic damages consist of the direct costs the accident placed on the injured party, such as the following:
- Ambulance charges
- Medical bills
- Medications
- Surgeries
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Lost wages
- Lost salary
- Lost benefits
- Business impacts
- Business closure
- Opportunity cost
Non-economic damages consist of intangible but significant impacts on a person’s life, such as the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Inconvenience
Courts usually waive punitive damages because they should be awarded only in cases where the defendants acted outrageously. However, a court may award punitive damages if you were hit by a bus driven by someone under the influence or who drove so recklessly as to disregard human life.
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Contact A Bus Accident Lawyer Near Orange County, CA
Sam Nordean has made a commitment to helping victims get back what was taken away from them. He fights for people that are injured and can’t fight for themselves.
“Going to court or negotiating a settlement is not akin to my client winning a lottery ticket. It’s about balancing the scales; it’s what they’re owed.”
At Nordean Law, we strive to achieve the best possible outcome for each client. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee a specific outcome, but we can guarantee that our legal team gives their all to get you the most money possible for your bus accident claim.
Do not allow the insurance company to convince you that you do not need to hire an Orange County bus accident lawyer. The insurance company only cares about protecting its interests by paying you as little as possible for your bus accident claim.
Before you speak with an insurance adjuster, sign insurance forms, or accept a bus accident settlement offer, call 888-527-1267 to schedule a free case evaluation. We care about what happened to you and your family. Let us get justice for you from the negligent party who caused your bus accident.
Orange County Courthouse
Hiring the right Bus Accident Lawyer will make a significant difference in your challenging and stressful situation. You may spend many hours attempting to figure out what you should do next at Orange County Courthouse. You’ll lose hours of time trying to figure out what you need to do next if you don’t hire an attorney. Even more, you will also receive about 40% less when the settlement finally arrives, which will happen much faster with professional assistance.
Please contact us if you have any queries or would want to know what you could be owed. In California, you have two years from the date of injury to file a claim and sue for compensation. If you want to go it alone in court, the Orange County Courthouse is located at 700 W Civic Center Dr, Santa Ana, CA 9270. If you want to take professional help, our wrongful death lawyer in Orange County will be more than happy to help you.
Get directions to Orange County Courthouse.
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Orange County Bus Accident FAQs
Who Is Liable for Bus Accidents?
Many parties have potential liability when a bus accident occurs, including the following:
- The bus driver
- A private bus company (owner)
- A municipality (owner)
- A municipality (for bad road conditions)
- The bus maintenance company
- The bus manufacturer
- Drivers of other vehicles
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Bus Accident Claim In California?
When going against a municipality, California law requires you to file a claim with that government within six months of the accident and a lawsuit within two years. However, for private parties, a two-year statute of limitations applies.
What Should I Do If An Insurance Company Calls Me?
For your insurer, provide the basic facts of the accident but avoid going into detail. Your personal injury attorney will do that if necessary. If an opposing insurer calls you, answer no questions and refer them to your attorney.
What If the Accident Was Partly My Fault?
California law establishes a pure comparative negligence standard. According to its tenets, you can collect damages even if you are 99% at fault, though the amount would equal just 1% of your damages.
In most cases, one party bears the primary liability. For example, If you are found 20% at fault, the court awards you 80% of your accepted damages.
How Long Will It Take To Resolve My Case?
Nordean Law’s personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee. Under this arrangement, you pay nothing until you collect; the entire fee and expenses come from the settlement or award. This cost structure prevents plaintiffs, who are already struggling with bills from the accident, from having to drain their savings or go into debt to pursue a just settlement.
How Much Does an Orange County Bus Accident Attorney Cost?
Nordean Law’s personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee. Under this arrangement, you pay nothing until you collect; the entire fee and expenses come from the settlement or award. This cost structure prevents plaintiffs, who are already struggling with bills from the accident, from having to drain their savings or go into debt to pursue a just settlement.
About Orange County, CA
Orange County, which lies in Southern California, is a compact yet vibrant region known for its diverse cities, stunning landscapes, and rich history. Home to popular cities like Anaheim, known for Disneyland, and Santa Ana, the county seat, it also boasts coastal cities like Huntington Beach and Newport Beach.
The county is connected by the Interstate 5 (Santa Ana) Freeway and hosts shopping centers like South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. Tourist attractions include Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park and Mission San Juan Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano.
Geographically, it’s adorned with features like the Santa Ana Mountains and the Santa Ana River. With a pleasant average annual temperature of 68 °F (20 °C), Orange County offers an unforgettable experience for all.
From our office in Costa Mesa, we are proud to extend our services to a wide range of cities within Orange County. This includes Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, and Mission Viejo. We also cater to clients in Newport Beach and larger cities such as Los Angeles, Anaheim, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, and Norwalk. We’re committed to serving these communities with dedication and excellence.
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Compelling Results
$8,700,000
$1,250,000
$1,150,000
$1,583,000
$480,000
$2,000,000
$500,000