The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, or MTA, transports over a million people each month. With that volume, it should come as no surprise that accidents can and do happen.
When you or a loved one have been injured in an MTA bus accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your physical, financial, and emotional losses. A Los Angeles bus accident attorney from Salamati Law is here to help you fight for the full compensation that you deserve.
Common MTA bus accident injuries
The size and shape of buses, as well as the physics of a crash, makes certain types of injuries more prevalent than in other types of crashes, and these include:
- Whiplash injuries and other types of neck pain
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries that can lead to paralysis
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue damage to the limbs
- Facial injuries such as lacerations, contusions, broken bones, and dental injuries
Some injuries can resolve quickly and with minimal treatment. More severe injuries can require surgery or ongoing rehabilitation, or even lead to permanent disability or death.
A Los Angeles personal injury attorney will work with experts who can offer educated estimates as to the prognosis and economic impact of long-term injuries and formulate a comprehensive demand for compensation. Once your case is closed, you cannot make additional demands, so it is crucial to get right the first time.
Causes of bus accidents
Bus accidents are caused by the same failures that cause passenger car accidents, as well as some additional problems unique to mass transit vehicles.
Commonly-cited factors include:
- Speeding
- Driver fatigue
- Inattention
- Driving under the influence
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Running a red light
- Improper bus maintenance
- Defective parts
It is important to determine the cause of the accident because it has a direct effect on what parties may be legally liable for the damages. When you choose a Los Angeles MTA bus accident attorney with experience in this, they will use a trained eye to spot possible causes and pursue evidence in support of the theories.
Liability for a Los Angeles Metro bus crash
In general, a person or entity who caused an accident by breaching a legal duty may be liable or legally responsible for the injuries it causes.
Since the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is a public entity, it is under a duty to keep passengers safe. If the MTA, including one of its drivers or mechanics, is found to have violated a safety-related statute and the violation leads to an injury, the Authority’s negligence may be presumed.
If the bus accident was caused by another party, such as the manufacturer or distributor of mechanical equipment, contractual terms between those parties may determine who is held responsible. Skilled lawyers look at potential parties from every angle to determine who should be included in a lawsuit.
Seeking compensation for a Los Angeles busway accident
After an auto accident involving private parties, an injured individual or surviving family member in the case of a wrongful death– usually has two years after the accident to file a lawsuit for related injuries. However, claims for personal injury against government entities have different rules.
Before filing a personal injury lawsuit against an agency like the Los Angeles MTA, a potential plaintiff must first file a notice of claim with the agency within 6 months. The notice must state which agency was responsible and provide other required details. If you are injured and do not comply with the notice of claim requirement, the agency may be able to have any lawsuit you file later dismissed.
Discuss your Los Angeles public transportation accident at Salamati Law
When your Southern California bus accident results in serious injuries, you may be eligible for compensation that covers your medical bills, lost wages, and non-economic losses like pain and suffering. Whether you receive full compensation may come down to whether you hired the right personal injury lawyer.
We are dedicated to helping LA residents hold at-fault parties accountable for the personal injuries they cause. He is here to help you pursue the transportation agency and other liable parties when their carelessness leads to your losses. Call the Salamati Law Firm today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
