Whether your accident was caused by the bus driver’s negligence, mechanical failure, or by other drivers on the road, the Hulburt Law Firm is dedicated to providing expert legal representation for bus accident victims.
Our attorneys have extensive experience handling bus accident cases and an in-depth understanding of California’s regulations related to public and private transportation. Our top-rated attorneys will guide you through the legal process to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
California had the fourth highest rate of fatal bus accidents in 2022.*
Throughout the process, we keep you informed, answer any questions you may have, and provide ongoing support. We limit the number of cases we take on so that we can dedicate the time and attention needed for each case.
With the Hulburt Law Firm by your side, you can focus on your recovery while knowing that your legal claims are being taken care of. If you or a loved one has been involved in a bus accident, contact us today for a free case review.
Our attorneys have a proven track record of achieving extraordinary results.
A sudden tire failure caused an SUV to fishtail and crash, killing a beloved husband and father.
An improperly installed gate fell on a construction worker, killing him.
A concrete block wall fell on a construction worker, killing him.
A tour bus struck a man while he was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk.
A tour bus struck a woman while she was lawfully using the crosswalk.
A woman was struck by a public bus while she was crossing the street.
During your free case review, we listen to your story, collect preliminary information, and provide an honest evaluation of your case’s strengths and potential challenges.
Once the scope of work is signed, our team gets to work conducting a thorough investigation to build a strong foundation for your case including accident scene examinations, reviewing police reports, bus company records, medical documents, and interviewing witnesses.
To strengthen your case, our firm collaborates with experts, including accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, and economists in order to recreate the accident scenario, provide detailed assessments of your injuries and necessary treatments, and calculate the full extent of your financial losses.
Based on our investigation and expert collaboration, we develop a tailored legal strategy involving identifying all liable parties, determining claims, and calculating damages.
We are skilled negotiators committed to securing a fair settlement. During negotiations with insurance companies and opposing parties, we present a strong, evidence-backed case, counter attempts to undervalue your claim, and advocate for the compensation you deserve.
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we take your case to court. Our trial attorneys have extensive courtroom experience and are skilled at telling your story, presenting evidence and expert testimony, cross-examining witnesses, and making compelling arguments to the judge and jury.
If you’re involved in a bus accident in California, it’s important to understand the basic legal principles that govern these cases. See several key points below to help you navigate the aftermath of a bus accident.
California operates under a fault-based system, meaning the person or entity responsible for causing the accident is liable for the damages. This requires determining who was negligent and caused the accident.
Bus drivers and companies must comply with federal and state regulations, including hours of service (HOS) rules, vehicle maintenance standards, and driver qualifications. Violations of these regulations can be critical evidence in a bus accident case.
Public and private buses are required to carry higher liability insurance limits than passenger vehicles due to the potential for severe damage and injury. Minimum coverage amounts can range from $750,000 to $5 million, depending on the type of bus and bus operator.
You may be eligible for various types of compensation, including:
The Hulburt Law Firm is here to provide expert legal representation and guide you through every step of the process. Contact us for a free consultation.
Forget surface-level research and mediocre inquiries. We dive deep to conduct extensive investigations and gather evidence in order to build your strongest case.
We use technology to your advantage. By using video and photography, scene recreations, and graphics, we tell your story in a visually-compelling way that other law firms cannot match.
Defense attorneys and insurance companies know us and respect us. We assess the full extent of your damages and pursue all responsible parties in order to maximize the compensation you deserve.
Catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases are rarely simple. We have taken on the largest corporations, insurance companies, and defense firms in the country and won.
We understand how important it is to have a compassionate and considerate lawyer. From providing regular case updates to ensuring clients are adequately prepared for each step of the case, we continually demonstrate our care for all of our clients.
You may have a valid case if:
An attorney can help evaluate the specifics of your situation and determine the viability of your case.
Potentially liable parties can include:
You may be eligible for various types of compensation, including:
Key evidence includes:
Common causes of bus accidents include:
The duration varies based on the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries, and whether a settlement is reached or the case goes to trial. It can take several months to a few years.
While it’s possible to file a claim without an attorney, having an experienced personal injury lawyer is highly recommended. An attorney can help:
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront fees and no legal fees unless we win your case. This arrangement ensures that you can access high-quality legal representation without financial strain.
Yes, California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, you can still recover 80% of your damages.
Most bus accident cases are settled out of court through negotiations. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney may advise taking the case to trial to secure the compensation you deserve.
If a loved one is involved in a fatal bus accident in California, the family members can pursue wrongful death and survival claims against the responsible parties.
Wrongful Death Claim
A wrongful death claim is filed by the family members of someone who died because of the negligence or wrongdoing of another party. Wrongful death claims allow family members to seek compensation for the death of their loved one.
Wrongful death damages include compensation for the loss of love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, and moral support. They also include compensation for the loss of financial support, household services, and funeral expenses.
Survival Claim
A survival claim allows family members to pursue damages on behalf of the deceased person’s estate. A survival claim focuses on damages suffered by the deceased person before they died. For example, a survival claim may seek damage for the deceased person’s pre-death pain and suffering, and punitive damages for egregious negligence or recklessness.
The Hulburt Law Firm specializes in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. Our attorneys have helped spouses, parents, children, and siblings recover maximum compensation for the loss of their loved ones. Contact us for a free consultation.
California common carriers owe a heightened duty of care to their passengers. A common carrier offers transportation services for a fee, such as buses, trains, taxis, and airlines. The duty of a common carrier to passengers includes:
Highest Duty of Care
Common carriers are held to the highest standard of care for the safety of their passengers. “Common carriers must use the highest care and the vigilance of a very cautious person. They must do all that human care, vigilance, and foresight reasonably can do under the circumstances to avoid harm to passengers.” (CACI No. 902.)
Safe Transportation
Common carriers must provide safe transportation for passengers from the point of embarkation to the point of destination. This includes ensuring that vehicles are properly maintained and equipped for safe operation.
Training and Supervision
Common carriers are required to adequately train and supervise their employees, including drivers and other personnel, to ensure they are competent and capable of safely performing their duties.
Accommodation of Passengers
Common carriers must accommodate passengers to the extent reasonable and feasible, including providing assistance to passengers with disabilities, ensuring seating availability, and addressing the needs of elderly or infirm passengers.
Prompt and Safe Delivery
Common carriers are obligated to transport passengers to their destinations in a timely and safe manner, taking reasonable precautions to avoid delays, accidents, or other incidents that may jeopardize passenger safety.
Liability for Negligence
Common carriers can be held liable for injuries or damages suffered by passengers as a result of their negligence or failure to exercise reasonable care in fulfilling their duties.
In California, there are minimum insurance requirements for buses operated by public entities, private companies, and individuals:
Public Transit Buses
Public transit agencies are required to carry liability insurance coverage with minimum limits set by state law:
Charter Buses and Passenger Carriers
Private charter bus companies and other passenger carriers are required to carry liability insurance coverage.
The minimum liability insurance requirements set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for buses operating in interstate commerce are:
For for buses operating solely within California or intrastate, the minimum liability insurance limits are:
School Buses
California law mandates that school buses operated by public school districts or contractors providing transportation services to public schools must carry liability insurance coverage with minimum limits:
Additional Coverage
In addition to liability insurance, buses may also be required to carry other types of insurance coverage, such as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, medical payments coverage, and physical damage coverage.
Health insurance liens arise when your health insurance provider has covered medical expenses related to your injuries caused by another’s negligence. Health insurers seek reimbursement from your lawsuit recovery for the medical expenses they paid.
Medical Treatment Coverage
Health insurance (whether private, Medi-Cal, or Medicare) usually covers medical expenses related to treatment for injuries suffered in a bus accident. This coverage may include hospital bills, doctor’s visits, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and other services.
Reimbursement Rights
Health insurance companies include clauses in their policies that grant them reimbursement rights. In bus accident cases, this includes reimbursement from any settlement or judgment received by the injured person.
Notification
Once the health insurance company learns that your injuries were caused by a third party’s negligence, they assert their reimbursement rights with a notice of lien letter. This notice informs you that the health insurance company has a claim on your settlement or judgment for the medical expenses they covered.
Negotiation
Your bus accident attorney negotiates with the health insurance company to reduce the amount of the lien. There are a number of negotiation techniques for achieving a significant lien reduction.
Lien Satisfaction
Once a settlement or judgment is reached in the bus accident case, the injured person’s attorney must ensure that the health insurance lien is paid.
Common injuries sustained in bus accidents include:
Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
Bus accidents can cause damage to the vertebrae, spinal discs, or spinal cord, leading to back pain, herniated discs, paralysis, or other neurological impairments. Damage to the spinal cord can cause partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and impaired motor function below the injury site.
Head Injuries
When the head strikes an object or when the brain experiences rapid acceleration or deceleration within the skull, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can occur. TBIs range from concussions to more severe injuries like contusions, hematomas, and skull fractures.
Fractures and Broken Bones
Impact forces during a bus accident can cause fractures or breaks in bones throughout the body, such as the arms, legs, ribs, pelvis, and skull.
Cuts and Lacerations
Broken glass, sharp metal, and other debris in a collision can cause cuts, lacerations, and puncture wounds, which may require stitches or other medical interventions.
Amputations
In severe accidents, traumatic amputations of limbs or digits can occur because of crushing injuries or severe lacerations.
Internal Injuries
Blunt force trauma from a bus accident can lead to internal injuries, including damage to organs such as the liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs, or heart. Internal bleeding and organ damage can be life-threatening if not promptly treated.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Sprains, strains, and tears to muscles, tendons, and ligaments can occur in bus accidents. The neck, back, and shoulders are particularly vulnerable.
Chest Injuries
Impact with the steering wheel, dashboard, or seatbelt can cause chest injuries such as rib fractures, lung contusions, and cardiac trauma.
Seatbelt and Airbag Injuries
While seatbelts and airbags save lives, they can also cause injuries, including abrasions, bruising, fractures (known as seat belt syndrome), and injuries to the face, chest, and abdomen.
Emotional Trauma
Bus accidents can have a significant psychological impact, leading to emotional distress, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health issues.
Simply fill out the form or call 619.821.0500 to receive a free case review. We’ll evaluate what happened, your injuries, and potential defendants to determine how we can best help you.