Have you been injured in a bus accident in Porterville, California? Call Matadores Accident & Injury Lawyers at (559) 524-8944 today for a free consultation. Taking on a bus service or insurance company doesn’t have to be hard when you have our experienced Porterville bus accident lawyers in your corner.
We’re trusted California trial attorneys with over 25 years of litigation experience and a proven ability to win high-stakes cases for our clients. Our case results include over $100 million in settlements and jury awards. We’re ready to help you fight for compensation.
Why Choose Matadores Accident & Injury Lawyers After a Bus Accident in Porterville, CA
Hiring a Porterville personal injury lawyer to handle your bus accident case levels the playing field against a powerful bus company or insurance carrier. Choosing Matadores Accident & Injury Lawyers gives you the edge you need to win your case and maximize your recovery.
Led by a former defense attorney turned plaintiffs’ attorney, our team offers unique insight and experiences that set the stage for exceptional legal representation. We anticipate the defense’s tactics, work quickly to preserve valuable evidence, and build powerful claims that force the kind of case results that change lives.
You should not have to face the aftermath of a serious accident on your own. Our Porterville bus accident attorneys provide personalized guidance, responsive communication, and determined legal representation every step of the way. Contact us today for a free consultation.
How Much Is My Bus Accident Claim Worth?
Many factors are used to calculate what your bus accident claim might be worth.
- What types of injuries did you suffer?
- How has your day-to-day life been disrupted by the accident?
- Did you need to be hospitalized for your bus accident injuries?
- Will you need long-term medical treatment or assistance?
- How long will it take for you to reach maximum medical improvement?
- Has the bus accident impaired your ability to work?
- Are you being blamed, even in small part, for the bus accident?
- What insurance coverage is available?
More serious injuries tend to lead to greater damages. However, insurance policy limits, shared fault, and a failure to mitigate damages can all potentially limit how much money you’re ultimately awarded after a bus accident in Porterville.
Our law firm will carefully evaluate your case, determine liability, identify all potential insurance policies and options for financial relief, and work closely with experts to ensure that you’re able to make the most of your fight for compensation.
What Compensation Can Be Awarded to Porterville Bus Accident Victims?
Whether you were a passenger on the bus during the accident, crossing the street, or in another car, you can pursue compensatory damages for your bus accident injuries.
Compensatory damages cover two categories of losses: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages help to compensate for the monetary consequences of your bus accident, which could include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Disability
- Property damage
- Nursing care
- Rehabilitation
Non-economic damages acknowledge the subjective suffering and trauma you experience because you’ve been involved in a bus accident, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Chronic physical pain
Punitive damages can be awarded in certain cases, but only at trial when a jury finds by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant’s actions were malicious, oppressive, or fraudulent.
What Causes Most Bus Accidents?
Many bus accidents happen because of preventable negligence by drivers, bus companies, or other parties.
Common causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued or drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Running stop signs or red lights
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improper or wide turns
- Abrupt braking or stopping
- Improper passenger loading or unloading
An experienced bus accident lawyer can investigate the crash and build the strongest possible claim on your behalf.
Who’s Liable for My Bus Accident Injuries?
Determining liability after a bus accident is often more complex than in a typical car accident. Depending on how the crash occurred, multiple individuals, companies, or government entities may share responsibility. Identifying every liable party is essential to maximizing your financial recovery.
Potentially liable parties may include:
- The bus driver
- A private bus company
- A public transit agency or school district
- The bus owner
- The manufacturer of a defective bus or bus component
- A maintenance or repair company
- A government agency responsible for designing or maintaining the roadway
- The driver of another vehicle involved in the collision
- Another negligent road user, such as a bicyclist or pedestrian
In many cases, a bus company or public agency may also be responsible for the actions of its employees under the legal doctrine of vicarious liability. These entities may also be directly liable if they failed to properly hire, train, supervise, inspect, or maintain their buses or otherwise failed to meet applicable safety standards.
An experienced bus accident lawyer can investigate your case, identify every responsible party, and pursue the full compensation available under the law.
Common Bus Accident Injuries
Bus accidents often result in serious injuries because passengers typically have limited protection during a crash.
Our law firm represents clients who have suffered injuries such as:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries and other head injuries
- Spinal cord, back, and neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Burns and crush injuries
- Nerve and soft tissue damage
- Leg and knee injuries
- Amputations
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death
After a bus accident, report the crash, seek medical attention as soon as possible, and speak with an experienced attorney. Prompt action can protect both your health and your right to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Partly to Blame for a California Bus Crash?
You can recover compensation as long as you’re not entirely at fault for the bus accident. However, under California’s pure comparative negligence rule, any damages you are awarded will be reduced proportionately to fault. If you’re 20 percent responsible for the bus accident in Porterville, your financial recovery will be reduced by 20 percent of its value.
If you were in another vehicle during the bus accident, or if you were involved in a bus accident shortly after you got out of the vehicle, don’t be surprised when the insurance company tries to pin some (or all) of the blame on you. These tactics can be harmful, especially when you’re not anticipating them and don’t have arguments in place to fight back. That’s where an experienced lawyer can help.
How Much Does It Cost to Work With a Bus Accident Attorney?
Our bus accident attorneys in Porterville represent clients on a contingency fee basis. There is no upfront cost to hire our personal injury law firm, and you will not owe attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for your case.
If there is no recovery, there is no fee. If we successfully recover compensation through a settlement or verdict, our fee is a percentage of your financial award. This arrangement allows you to focus on your recovery without worrying about paying legal fees out of pocket.
Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Bus Accident Claim in California?
California law limits the amount of time you have to pursue compensation after a bus accident. In most cases involving a private bus company or other non-government defendant, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
However, claims against a government entity—such as a city bus system or public school district—are subject to much shorter deadlines. In many cases, you must file a government claim within six months of the accident before you can pursue a lawsuit.
Because these deadlines are strictly enforced, it is important to speak with an experienced bus accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Porterville Bus Accident Lawyer
A bus accident can leave you facing serious injuries, mounting medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty about the future. If someone else’s negligence caused the crash, you may be entitled to compensation. Matadores Accident & Injury Lawyers is here to protect your rights and fight for the financial recovery you deserve.
With 25 years of combined experience and more than $100 million recovered for injured clients, our legal team has the knowledge and resources to handle complex bus accident claims. Contact our Porterville bus accident attorneys for a free consultation and learn how we can help.
