No one expects to get into a serious wreck when they board one of California’s many buses. However, every year, hundreds of people are injured or killed in bus accidents across the country. If you were hurt on the road, turn to our Artesia bus accidents attorneys to discuss your options for seeking compensation. 

At HPIL, we have decades of collective experience handling personal injury claims in the state. Our legal team can help investigate the accident, gather the necessary evidence to prove liability and damages, and provide tenacious representation at every stage of proceedings. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS to request a free initial consultation. 

What Kinds of Expert Witnesses Might Help Strengthen My Bus Accident Claim? 

Proving a bus wreck claim isn’t always a straightforward undertaking. If the insurer or other parties question the severity of your injuries, dispute liability, or attempt to discredit your telling of events, expert witness testimony could help tip the scales back in your favor.  

At HPIL, we can assess your bus accident case to determine whether your claim will benefit from the input of an expert witness. Let’s take a look at a few of the different kinds of expert witnesses that may play a role in your case: 

• Economists: If your injuries will prevent you returning to the same field of work, or you will not be able to work again, your lawyer may consult with an economist. Such experts can help map out your expected career trajectory had the accident not occurred, and approximate fair compensation for future lost income and reduced earning capacity. 

• Medical Experts: Your attorney may call on a medical expert to provide deposition on a specific medical matter. For instance, a medical expert can provide an opinion on the long-lasting health impacts of your injuries, what may have caused your injuries, and the applicable standards of care. Medical experts might also be able to assist with estimating the value of both your past and future medical bills. 

• Mental Health Experts: If you are pursuing compensation for intangible losses such as emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life, a mental health expert such as a psychotherapist may be able to help shed light on how the accident and your injuries have affected your mental health. 

• Accident Reconstruction Experts: Using evidence from the scene—such as dashcam footage, photographs, street signs, and road markings—an accident reconstruction expert may be able to piece together the moments leading up to the crash. Using this information, such experts can help determine what caused the accident and who might be liable. 

• Engineering Experts: If the accident was due to a faulty part or poor road conditions, your attorney may need to bring in an engineer to provide deposition regarding how a particular road’s defects or flawed design might have played a role in causing the wreck.  

What Types of Evidence Could Help Prove My Claim? 

If you were seriously injured in a bus wreck, you might be entitled to compensation for the damages stemming from the collision. However, in order to receive a financial award, you will have to provide sufficient proof of liability. While the types of evidence you’ll need can vary from one case to the next, here are a few examples of evidence that might help strengthen your claim: 

• Photographs of the Scene: Pictures taken at the scene could help your attorney and/or an accident reconstruction expert determine what happened and identify the liable parties. As such, if you are physically able to do so, you should take photographs of the wreckage, your injuries, road markings, street signs, weather conditions, and any other elements of the accident scene that could prove liability, causation, and damages. Try to take pictures from multiple different angles and distances.  

• Video Footage: Whether it’s dashcam or surveillance camera footage, videos of the accident taking place could play a crucial role in proving your claim.  

• The Accident Report: If officers responded to the scene, it’s likely they compiled an official report on the accident. In addition to noting basic facts such as the time, date, and location of the collision, police officers may also include their own observations of what may have happened which could help guide your attorney’s investigation. For instance, they might have noted that the at-fault motorist appeared to be drowsy or distracted. Such information could help you prove that he or she was liable. 

• Eyewitness Deposition: Anyone else who saw the accident take place—such as the other passengers, a pedestrian, or another motorist—could help corroborate your version of events. As such, you should take down the names and contact details of any eyewitnesses. 

Discuss Your Claim With a Bus Accident Attorney in Artesia 

If you were injured in a bus accident—either as a passenger, motorist, or pedestrian—turn to the attorneys at HPIL. As part of your free consultation, we can assess your situation, answer your questions, and discuss how best to proceed with your case. Reach out to us at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or send us a message HERE to lock in a free case review.