Bus Accident Attorney in Hanford

Any car accident is a scary and traumatizing event, but the size and weight of the vehicle is a significant factor in the level of injury that can be inflicted. That’s why bus accidents are extremely dangerous, whether you are talking about a school bus or a bus that’s owned and operated by Kings Area Regional Transit (KART).

If you or your family member suffered injuries in a bus accident in Hanford, you may be entitled to monetary compensation, such as medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. However, you must first determine who it at fault for the accident, which may be the driver of the bus, the transit company, or another party altogether.

Bus accident investigations are extremely complicated, and most of these cases involve government regulations that that average person in unaware of. The lawyers of Normandie are here to answer all your questions and help you navigate the legal process from start to finish. Please contact a Hanford bus accident lawyer and receive a free, private consultation at a time that’s convenient for you.

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Causes of Bus Accidents in Hanford, CA

Hanford is a charming, relatively small town within close proximity to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park. The city provides public transportation through KART, or Kings Area Regional Transit. People also have the option to use busses from private companies that operate throughout Kings County.

Accidents can happen for all sorts of reasons, and there is no way to guarantee total and complete safety on a bus. Below are just some of the circumstances that may be involved when there is a bus accident in the city of Hanford:

• Failure by the bus driver to follow traffic rules

• Bus coming into contact with another vehicle

• Failure to make repairs or maintain the bus (company negligence)

• Bus traveling too fast and putting passengers at risk, even when they are holding on to a strap or grab bar

• Slip and fall or trip and fall hazards on the bus

• Bus driver being ill or fatigued

• Bus driver is under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol

• Lack of seatbelts or broken seatbelts

• Fires due to wiring issues and other mechanical defects

Injuries Caused by Bus Accidents

Bus accidents have the potential to cause severe injuries to many people, and immediate medical attention is essential to your recovery. Please note that failure to obtain medical care in a timely manner can result in death or permanent complications, like vision loss and loss of function in the limbs. Examples of injuries to victims of a bus accident include:

• Broken bones

• Damage to the spinal cord

• Skull fracture, concussion and other traumatic brain injuries

• Deep cuts that cause infection and permanent disfigurement

• Joint dislocation

• Internal injuries, like ruptured spleen

• Disc herniation and other back injuries

• Tearing of ligaments and tendons

• Permanent nerve damage leading to paralysis or chronic pain

• Coma

• Death

Your Eligibility to Sue for a Bus Accident

Bus companies and the people they hire have a duty to provide a certain level of care to the passengers they serve. Of course, accidents can and do happen, but there are measures that have to be taken for the sake of preventing as many incidents as possible. This is why there are regulations on safe driving practices and maintenance / repairs, which are specific to large, commercial vehicles. Failure to exercise reasonable care is likely to cause harm to pedestrians, as well as the people on board.

Keep in mind, however, that the bus company or government agency may not be liable if the injured party engaged in dangerous conduct, like standing and not holding on to a handrail or grab handle while the bus is in motion. If the bus has to stop suddenly and you fall down as a result, the bus driver can’t be blamed for your failure to use safety measures that were in plain sight.

Bus companies and transit authorities will do everything in their power to minimize their liability and put the blame on the victim. With that in mind, it’s important to contact a bus accident injury attorney as soon as possible. You should also obtain medical care within 24 hours to document the harm you suffered. That, along with other evidence we can collect on your behalf can form the basis of a personal injury lawsuit.

Statute of Limitations to Sue for a Bus Accident

Aside from building a solid case of negligence against the defendant, you must also ensure that a lawsuit is filed within the statute of limitations. Those who are injured in a bus accident must file a claim for damages within 2 years of the event. For those who are seeking wrongful death payments (your loved one died in a bus accident), the deadline to file a lawsuit is 2 years from when the decedent passed away.

Filing an Accident Claim against the Government

For injuries caused by a public transportation vehicle, the statute of limitations is only 6 months from when the accident occurred. So, if you got hurt in a bus that’s operated by KART, you would file a claim with the city of Hanford. As you have only have 6 months to gather the necessary evidence and complete the required paperwork, help from a lawyer specializing in public transpiration accidents is strongly recommended.

How We can Help

If you experienced bodily harm and property damage from a bus accident that resulted from negligence by one or more parties, it’s essential to speak with a personal injury lawyer. You may be eligible for multiple forms of compensation, but fighting for payment you are rightfully owed is very challenging, especially if you are seeking damages from a government entity.

At no point will you be asked to pay for the cost of legal services. Legal fees are paid by the party at fault as long as we succeed in settling your case. On top of that, we have a Zero Fee Guarantee policy, so you as the client owe us $0 if we do not resolve the case in your favor.

Since there is nothing to lose, please reach out to us and talk about your situation with a bus accident lawsuit attorney.

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