Bus Accident Attorneys in Campbell

No Matter How Complex Your Case, Our Lawyers Can Help You File a Claim

Bus accidents may be rare, but when they happen, they can result in serious injury to many. Buses, like large trucks, can cause extreme amounts of damage because they are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles. Because pedestrians and buses are often in the same spaces, a careless driver can injure people who are on foot. Additionally, most buses do not require passengers to stay belted in—and some do not even provide seatbelts—meaning high-force crashes can cause collisions with hard surfaces.

Filing an injury claim after a bus accident is more complex than doing the same after a typical car crash. However, you deserve justice and support—and you are not alone. Our attorneys at Caputo and Van Der Walde – Injury & Accident Attorneys have over 85 years of combined experience fighting for accident victims like you. We want to help protect your right to compensation for your injuries.

Get your claim started with a free consultation by calling (800) 900-0863. Our bus accident attorneys serve clients in and around Campbell.

Causes and Fault in Bus Accidents

Driver error is a perennial cause of all sorts of collisions, but not all bus accidents are straightforward. Determining fault is the first step in bringing your claim.

Driver Negligence and Error

Sometimes the at-fault driver is a third party—someone in another vehicle whose actions caused the collision. In this case, anyone who was injured would bring a claim against this individual’s insurance. While this process is more similar to a typical car accident claim, you may be among multiple people looking for relief from one insurance policy with modest limits.

When the at-fault driver is the bus driver, the process is different. Bus drivers are employees, either of a private company or the state, meaning they are not individually responsible for most accidents they cause. Therefore, if a bus driver is to blame, you will need to make a claim against the entity that employs them.

Commercial bus organizations may be able to launch stronger legal defenses than you would see in a typical car accident. Individuals who attempt to fight these claims on their own may find themselves outclassed and outmaneuvered, unable to recover the compensation they need. In this position, you need a strong legal firm on your side—a firm like Caputo and Van Der Walde – Injury & Accident Attorneys. We are not afraid to take on big corporations when your future is at stake.

In cases of collisions involving school buses or public transit, you may find yourself bringing a claim against the state. This means dealing with extra rules and red tape you make your complaint. Our attorneys can help you navigate the legal system and ensure your claim is made on time and to specifications. However, the timeline for such claims is tight, so do not wait to speak with an attorney if you were in an accident caused by a government employee.

Mechanical Errors

Buses put on miles quickly and, therefore, need frequent maintenance. If a part breaks unexpectedly or a bus is sent on its route despite the potential for a failure, a driver may not be able to do anything to keep others safe. Common mechanical failures in buses include:

• Engine
• Tires
• Steering
• Brakes

Depending on the cause of the failure, your case may not be against the organization that operates the bus, but one of the other companies responsible for it:

• The bus manufacturer
• The manufacturer of the specific part that failed
• The company that owns the bus
• The company responsible for maintaining the bus

A failure that causes an accident may be easier to identify than the party responsible for it. Our attorneys can help investigate the accident to find evidence of fault, so you know who to bring a claim against.

Poor Roadway Design

Specialists are hired to ensure roads are safe, from issues of visibility to the sharpness of curves to expected traffic patterns. Failure to plan for issues like heavy traffic or bad weather can make a roadway unsafe for vehicles.

Arguing poor road design was responsible for an accident is not easy. Aside from the challenges of bringing a suit against the government, as we discussed above, you will need to partner with experts to show how the accident could have been prevented if the road designer had made different choices. Our lawyers can put together a strong investigative team to help make your case in this scenario.

Who Can Sue After a Bus Accident?

Because bus accidents often involve multiple parties, some victims may wonder if they can file a claim. Anyone who was injured in a bus accident because of another party’s negligence is likely eligible to file for compensation. This applies to:

• Drivers and passengers of other vehicles
• Pedestrians
• Bikers
• Motorcyclists
• Bus passengers
• Bus drivers
• Parents of minors who were injured

If you think you may have a claim but are not sure, we invite you to reach out to our team for a free consultation. Our attorneys can review your case and explain your rights.

We Can Help You File a Bus Accident Claim

Bus accident victims may sustain serious, life-changing injuries. We are here to help those who have been hurt in a bad bus crash file for damages including:

• Medical bills
• Future medical needs
• Rehabilitation
• Lost wages
• Decreased earning capacity
• Pain and suffering

The damages you are eligible for will depend both on the circumstances of your accident and the severity of your injuries. We want to help you maximize your recovery, so you have the resources to care for yourself and your loved ones.

We are prepared to take on all manner of complex cases. Reach out to us today if you are considering a bus accident claim.

Our Campbell bus accident attorneys offer free consultations. Call us at (800) 900-0863 to schedule yours.