The most common cause of MTA bus accidents in Los Angeles is bus driver error. Negligence on the part of the MTA in regard to bus maintenance or overloading is another major factor in these accidents. When filing a personal injury lawsuit after a bus accident, it is critical that the cause of the accident and the parties responsible are identified.
The sheer size of an MTA bus means that a collision with a smaller vehicle or a person is likely to involve serious injury or death.
A Los Angeles personal injury attorney at Salamati Law will fight hard to help you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Bus Driver Error
As the most common cause of MTA bus accidents, “bus driver error” encompasses a range of negligent behaviors. These include:
- Driving under the influence
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Fatigue
- Poor training
When the bus driver is responsible for the accident, a personal injury lawsuit is filed naming not only the driver but also the bus company as the defendant.
Maintenance Issues
The MTA is supposed to ensure that all vehicles are well-maintained. By law, they are required to perform regular inspections. However, inspections may not take place or are done hastily, and the mechanic fails to spot a potential problem.
Left Turns
Many bus accidents occur when the driver attempts to make a left-hand turn. The bus driver will have blind spots behind their mirror and the left bus pillar. Proper training teaches bus drivers to lean backwards or forward for blind spot elimination.
There are drivers who were not trained correctly or who have weight or height issues that do not allow them to move to avoid blind spots. Assigning such a driver to a bus is an act of negligence on the part of the MTA.
Other Drivers
Another vehicle may have caused your bus accident. As with any other type of crash, driver error or vehicle malfunction may have resulted in the collision. A person filing a personal injury lawsuit will also name that driver as a defendant.
Bus Fires
Bus fires generally arise in either the engine or the tires and wheel wells. It does not take much for a dirty engine to catch fire. Most engine fires are preventable with basic maintenance. Underinflation of tires boosts heat buildup, which can result in fires.
People trying to escape a bus fire may panic and hurt other passengers. It is especially difficult for those at the back of the bus to get out during a fire. Smoke inhalation is another danger.
Overloading
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which regulates buses, sets strict weight standards. If the bus company ignores these standards and allows buses to become overloaded, they are putting all passengers at risk. An overloaded bus is out of balance, and it could cause the driver to lose control.
Poor Road Conditions
As with any vehicle crashes, bus accidents can happen due to poor road conditions. If this is the cause of the accident, the jurisdiction in charge of the road in question may become a defendant.
Statute of Limitations
Keep in mind that while the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury in California is two years from the date of the accident, when a public agency such as the MTA is involved the statute of limitations is much shorter. By obtaining a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the accident, you can ensure that your claim is filed within the six-month statute of limitations for government agencies.
Contact a Los Angeles Bus Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one was seriously injured by an MTA bus, you need the services of an experienced Los Angeles bus accident attorney at Salamati Law. Arrange a complimentary consultation by completing our online form or calling or texting us 24/7.
After reviewing your claim, we will discuss your options. There is never a fee unless we win your case since we work on a contingency basis.
