Whether you are riding on a privately owned commercial bus or publicly operated transit vehicle, being involved in a traffic accident can present you with complicated physical, financial, and legal challenges. In addition to having to deal with unexpected bills, losses, and potentially serious injuries, you may discover that the process of filing civil suit over this type of incident differs from those for other kinds of motor vehicle accidents.
In a situation like this, it is especially important to have support from a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who has experience handling bus injury claims successfully. If you were hurt through the negligence of a bus driver or bus operating company, speaking with a Santa Clarita bus accident lawyer from Swift Justice should be among your top priorities.
Government entities have legal immunity from civil liability for damages, meaning it is not possible to sue them in civil court even if they are entirely at fault for the losses the prospective plaintiff suffered. However, the California Tort Claims Act includes traffic accidents involving government-owned or operated vehicles as an exception to this immunity, so it is possible to file a lawsuit against a public transit employee or agency whose negligence directly leads to a passenger or passerby being injured in a preventable accident.
It is essential to note that there are specific rules and restrictions applicable to these types of claims, most notably a six-month filing deadline for notifying a prospective defendant of intent to file suit. Fortunately, unlike many states, California does not cap recoverable damages in these claims, so a Santa Clarita bus crash attorney could help an injured plaintiff seek recovery for the full value of damages—such as medical bills, lost work income, and physical pain and suffering—that occurred due to a government employee’s misconduct.
Plaintiffs may pursue the same categories of damages in a claim against a government entity over a public transit accident as in a lawsuit against a private bus operating company over a crash involving one of their vehicles. Similarly, courts may hold bus companies liable for the negligence of their drivers, just as they may hold public transit agencies liable when their employees cause injuries.
However, the effective filing deadline for a lawsuit over a private bus wreck is two years from the date of the initial accident, or occasionally from the date on which the prospective plaintiff discovered they were harmed through negligence. A qualified Santa Clarita lawyer could further explain these and other procedural aspects of bus accident claims during a confidential consultation.
Due to the large size of these vehicles and their lack of standard safety features, such as seatbelts and airbags, bus crashes can have uniquely severe consequences compared to typical motor vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, attempting to pursue compensation for bus accident injuries without legal representation can be incredibly challenging.
Working with a Santa Clarita bus accident lawyer from Swift Justice could significantly affect how your claim proceeds and what resolution it ultimately has for you. Call us today to learn more.
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