San Francisco Bus Accident Attorneys
Injured in a Bus Accident? Call The Matiasic Firm for Help.
At The Matiasic Firm, we have over 25 years of experience and have recovered over $12 million for our clients over the past few years, including what is thought to be the largest personal injury/wrongful death verdict in the history of Madera County. If you have been injured in a bus accident, we recommend talking with a San Francisco bus accident attorney at our firm before making any decisions or taking a settlement.
We handle all types of bus accidents, including:
- Greyhound buses
- Military buses
- Metro (MUNI) buses
- School buses
- Tour buses
- Private buses
You don't have to face this alone. Contact our bus accident lawyers in San Francisco to get started on your case with a FREE initial consultation.
Maintenance Issues & Defective Products
Failure to properly maintain buses, and parts that are defectively designed or manufactured, are common causes of bus accidents. At times, those who design or manufacture parts for buses try to cut corners or make mistakes. Safety tests that are not conducted or are carried out in an incorrect manner, substandard parts that are less costly, or other measures to reduce expenses can all be reasons why your accident occurred.
When cutting costs results in brake problems, worn out tires, a shaky steering column or other maintenance faults, it places all passengers in danger. Those responsible are required to compensate injured victims. Additionally, bringing their negligence to light can prevent further pain and suffering in the future.
Bus Accidents Caused by Hazardous Road Conditions
Based on the amount of traffic on California roads, the chances of a bus accident on our city streets, highways, and freeways are great. If this is compounded by negligence in the design or maintenance of our public roads, otherwise safe buses can suddenly run into danger. Bus size, weight, inability to stop quickly or maneuver away from objects, pedestrians, and other vehicles can make a hazardous situation even worse.
The California Department of Transportation and other governmental entities are responsible for keeping our roadways safe. Failure to uphold this duty can result in catastrophic consequences, like serious injuries and wrongful death. Unfortunately, there are instances where bus driver negligence or error is cited by law enforcement as the sole cause of an accident when the road conditions were actually to blame.
When hazardous road conditions are involved, knowing where to look and what questions to ask are crucial to prevailing in a bus accident case.
Some of the areas to be looked into include unsafe construction zones, defects in roads such as poorly resurfaced lanes or potholes, and steep shoulder drop-offs. Dangerous intersections, signs that cannot be easily seen, poor lighting for night time driving, improperly maintained or missing guardrails, dips and curves that do not have signage, and many other conditions can also be the cause of a serious bus accident.
Bus Driver Negligence, Distraction & Error
According to a report from the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Administration, the leading cause of bus accidents is bus driver negligence and error. Driver fatigue, the use of drugs or alcohol, speeding, inattention, texting while driving, poor judgment, and lack of training are all ways in which innocent people get injured.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that distracted driving is the leading cause of accidents on our roadways. One of the biggest distractions that a driver can engage in is texting while driving. Although it is illegal to text and drive in our state, it is still a leading cause of accidents.
Different Factors to Consider When Determining Liability
Determining which party was negligent, and supporting that claim with evidence, is a critical aspect of any claim. However, there are several different factors that make bus accidents particularly complex.
Factors to consider in a bus accident case:
- Federal training regulations: All buses are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The goal of this agency is to reduce the number of collisions and fatal accidents. There are regulations involving the training of bus drivers that carry passengers, and they are required to have a commercial driver's license that includes a "passenger" endorsement.
- Federal health regulations: A bus driver must carry a valid medical certificate that indicates they are healthy enough to operate a vehicle carrying passengers, and they must undergo regular drug and alcohol testing. If a bus company fails to adhere to these regulations and innocent people are injured, legal action may be filed against them on behalf of the injured.
- Regulations on bus maintenance: There are also state and federal regulations involving the maintenance of the vehicle, inspections, and other matters that could come into play when filing a claim. In some cases, one company may be using equipment that is leased from another, and there may have been subcontractors that were responsible for maintaining the vehicle.
Call Now for Your Free Case Review: (415) 858-6692
If you are injured in a bus accident, you should talk to a San Francisco bus accident lawyer at The Matiasic Firm as soon as possible so we can start reviewing all aspects of your claim to determine if you have a case. If you do, we can start developing a plan aimed at recovering maximum compensation. Our legal team is highly skilled in the area of personal injury law and has an in-depth knowledge of bus accident claims.
Contact our San Francisco bus accident attorneys at The Matiasic Firm today at (415) 858-6692 to discuss your options in a free consultation.