Altadena Bus Accident Attorneys

From the daily commute to trips into town, taking the bus is a stress-free option that will get you from point A to B on a budget. However, when these massive vehicles crash, the consequences can be fatal. Those who survive often suffer serious injuries such as brain trauma, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones. If you were hurt while making use of public transport, turn to our Altadena bus accident attorneys for help.  From day one, our goal is not only to help you and your family achieve a successful outcome in your case, but also to ensure that proceedings are as straightforward as possible. Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS to find out more about our “no win, no-fee” representation.

Common Types of Damages in a Bus Accident Claim

A bus wreck can have long-ranging effects on your life, putting immense strain on your financial, physical, and emotional well-being. If another party was at fault for the accident, filing a personal injury claim can help you recover what you’ve lost—whether it’s your medical bills, repair costs, or the compensation for the psychological impact of the accident. You may be aware that you can seek compensation for your medical bills, however, these costs are often just the tip of the iceberg. Were you unable to work after the accident? Do your injuries limit you in any way? Do you expect to undergo additional medical procedures in the future? Before filing a claim, you need to have a clear idea of the losses you’ve incurred. At HPIL, our attorneys can assess your case, conduct a thorough investigation, and identify the damages that may be available in your situation. Here are the categories of damages claimants can pursue:

• Economic Damages: These are costs you incurred because of the accident and your injuries. Often referred to as tangible losses, economic damages can encompass a broad range of expenses including anything from your medical bills and repair costs to lost earnings and home modifications.

• Non-Economic Damages: Not all your damages will be accompanied with receipts. Some of the effects of your injuries—such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life—may be invisible but can have a detrimental effect on your quality of life. While non-economic damages can be difficult to quantify, a skilled personal injury attorney will know how to prove such losses. For instance, your lawyer may ask you to start a personal injury journal to track your pain levels to help demonstrate the suffering you’ve endured since the bus accident.

• Punitive Damages: While economic and non-economic damages are meant to reimburse the plaintiff for what they’ve lost due to the accident, punitive damages exist as a punishment to deter others from engaging in the same reckless or malicious behavior as the defendant.

Do I Have a Strong Personal Injury Case?

While it may be clear that the other party is at fault, there are many elements that are necessary to build a convincing case. Not only will you need strong evidence to prove liability, causation, and damages, but you will also have to avoid mistakes, errors, and oversights that could lead to disputes. At HPIL, we can assess your claim as part of your free initial consultation. We can answer your questions, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your claim, and run through some of the strategies we may use to help you recover a fair settlement. Here are a few common signs that you might have a strong case: 

• You Visited the Doctor Immediately After the Accident: Even if your injuries appear minor, you should always attend a comprehensive medical evaluation after a bus wreck. This will ensure that a potentially life-threatening condition doesn’t go undiagnosed. Additionally, taking this step can help tie your injuries to the accident and avoid disputes down the line. For instance, if you delayed your diagnosis by several weeks, the insurer might insist that your condition cannot be as serious as your attorney claims as you didn’t require urgent care. As such, you should seek treatment as soon as possible after leaving the accident scene.

• You Followed Your Doctor’s Treatment Plan: A prompt diagnosis is just one part of fulfilling your duty to take sufficient steps to mitigate damages. Once you’ve visited the doctor, you should make sure to follow their orders carefully to avoid doing anything that may cause your recovery to stall or your condition to deteriorate. For instance, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication, instruct you to take time off work to let your injuries heal, or avoid physical activity until your condition improves. Deviating from your treatment plan could cause your injuries to worsen leading to additional medical expenses and putting you at risk of facing disputes. For example, an opposing party may argue that you are liable for some of your accident-related expenses as your negligence led to further damages.

• You Gathered Evidence at the Accident Scene: Strong evidence will help lay the foundation for a convincing case. Without adequate proof, you could be leaving the door open for opposing parties to dispute aspects of your case. As such, if you can, you should begin gathering evidence as soon as possible after the accident. Useful evidence can include eyewitness statements, photographs of your injuries, the names and badge numbers of responding officers, notes on the locations of any nearby surveillance cameras, and the insurance information and contact details of the other parties involved. Your attorney will likely want to see this evidence during your initial consultation.

Speak to an Altadena Bus Accident Attorney Today

If you were hurt in a bus accident and believe the driver is to blame, turn to the legal team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers. Contact us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or head over to our contact page HERE to schedule a free case assessment.