Injured passengers and the families of passengers who were killed in a charter bus accident are entitled to sue any person or party whose negligence may have contributed to the crash. At-fault parties could include the charter bus driver, the charter bus company, the bus maintenance company, and more. Plaintiffs may pursue compensation for medical bills (past, present, and future), lost wages from missed work, diminished quality of life, and other damages. Proving fault in these cases can be challenging, and insurance companies will often try to downplay the fault of the parties they represent.
For these reasons, we encourage anyone who has been injured in a charter bus accident in southern California to contact an experienced Los Angeles bus accident attorney at Salamati Law for a free case review to discuss your legal options and to start collecting evidence of fault as soon as possible after the accident.
What, exactly, is a charter bus?
The laws of both the United States and the State of California consider charter buses to be “common carriers” that are in the business of transporting people from one place to another in exchange for compensation. Charter buses in California can be anything from large and well-appointed tour buses to small, informal jitneys that operate along regular routes. All common carriers are required to exercise a high degree of care and diligence to protect the safety of their passengers.
What parties might be liable for damages in a charter bus accident?
A knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorney at Salamati Law will conduct a thorough investigation of a charter bus accident to determine which parties might be liable for losses and injuries suffered by passengers and other persons.
The potentially liable parties that an injured passenger can sue include:
- The driver of the charter bus
- The owner or operator of the bus that hired the driver
- The manufacturer of the bus and any after-market companies that installed systems or components in the bus
- The entity that sponsored the charter bus
- Other drivers whose negligent vehicle operation caused the charter bus to crash
- State or municipal governments that are responsible for road maintenance and repair.
No two charter bus accidents are alike, and each accident will present unique facts and circumstances. A personal injury lawyer can best analyze those facts in the immediate aftermath of an accident when memories are still fresh in the minds of witnesses, and physical evidence has not been removed or lost.
Should you accept a quick settlement from a charter bus company rather than filing a lawsuit?
California charter bus companies that operate at least one vehicle that can carry 16 or more passengers must carry liability insurance with aggregate limits of at least $5 million. Charter bus insurers might contact injured passengers immediately after an accident with quick offers to pay current medical bills and to replace any damaged property. Injured charter bus accident victims that accept those early offers, however, will inevitably forfeit their right to collect the full amount of damages that they incur, including all current and future medical bills, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering.
A California charter bus accident lawyer at Salamati Law will identify low-ball offers from the insurance company and use their knowledge and skills to negotiate a fair settlement that truly takes into account all of the damages and losses you have suffered. We prepare every case as if it were going to trial, so in the rare instances where it is necessary, we are ready and able to take the case to trial.
Recover the Damages You Deserve for Charter Bus Accident Injuries
Call Salamati Law as soon as possible after you are injured in a California charter bus accident. We will provide a complimentary review of your case and determine which party or parties are liable for your losses and injuries.
