Costa Mesa Bus Accidents Attorneys

The mere thought of being involved in an accident with a large bus is distressing. If you've actually been injured in such a wreck, you may be facing intense physical pain, mental anguish, and financial uncertainty. Our bus accident attorneys in Costa Mesa understand what you're going through and can help you fight for the settlement you need to move on with life. We will make sure your claim accounts for all the damages you may be owed. We will handle all dialogue with the insurer and provide aggressive representation through every stage of the proceedings. Our seasoned litigators are not afraid to proceed all the way to trial if the opposing party refuses to settle. To speak with a member of our team in a free consultation, call 1-800-GO-HARRIS.

Mistakes That Could Jeopardize Your Bus Accident Case

While it is true that the outcome of your case is somewhat out of your control, there are steps you can take to give your claim the best possible chance of success. One such step is to learn about the mistakes you could make that would lead to a dispute, extend the proceedings, and/or reduce your financial recovery. The list below outlines just a few of the common mistakes made by bus accident victims:

• Not Consulting a Bus Accident Lawyer in Costa Mesa: Personal injury law is incredibly complicated, and there are specific statutes and case law that pertain to personal injuries and wrongful deaths suffered in bus accidents. Developing an in-depth understanding of the relevant laws and procedures takes many years of study and practice. Without the guidance of a seasoned bus accident attorney, you may end up making a costly mistake that extends the proceedings or reduces the amount of compensation you obtain. Simply hiring a lawyer could send a message to the opposing party that you expect fair treatment and have the means to enter litigation if a fair settlement is not reached.

• Speaking Directly to the Claims Adjuster: Have you been contacted by the claims adjuster? If you haven’t received a call yet from someone affiliated with the defendant or insurance company, it is likely that you will receive such a call in the near future. The purpose of this call will be to gather information about what happened and to identify any weaknesses in your case that could be leveraged by the defense. That means your very own statements could end up harming your case. Even if you are careful not to admit fault, you might still say something that brings liability, causation, or damages into question, or that opens the door to some other kind of dispute.

• Leaving Certain Damages out of the Settlement Calculations: Do you know how to calculate pain and suffering damages, or the circumstances when such damages are recoverable? What about loss of enjoyment in life, emotional distress, and punitive damages? Many bus accident victims are entitled to these damages but don’t find out until they’ve already accepted a settlement offer. Accounting for all recoverable damages may greatly increase the final settlement or verdict. This is especially true in cases involving severe injury.

• Missing Doctors’ Appointments: When recovering from serious injuries, some patients postpone their medical visits or simply choose to skip them without giving notice. Unfortunately, missing doctor’s appointments could cause the insurance company to assert that you have failed to mitigate your damages or that the injuries aren’t that serious. You could face a similar dispute if you return to work or physical activities too early, or deviate from your doctor’s instructions in some other way.

• Using Social Media: While it is certainly tempting to post photos of the crash scene, pictures of you in the hospital, and perhaps a written description of what happened, it is important to remember that your social media content will likely be admissible in court. In fact, the social media content of your friends and family may even be used to dispute your claim. You should be very careful about what you publish online while your case is pending. Consider disabling your social networking accounts until your case is resolved.

Will I Have to Go to Trial?

Most bus accident cases do not end up in trial. Even if a settlement is not reached in the early negotiations, a settlement may eventually be reached through discovery or alternative dispute resolution such as mediation. The vast majority of personal injury and wrongful death cases do not go all the way to trial. Depending on the circumstances, however, proceeding to trial might be the smartest decision. For this reason, you should hire a skilled trial lawyer so you are prepared for all eventualities. The attorneys at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers have extensive trial experience and a track record of success in court.

Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS to Set up a Free Consultation with a Bus Accident Lawyer in Costa Mesa

You can reach us at 1-800-GO-HARRIS 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also send us a message on our Contact Page. The consultation is free, and all personal injury and wrongful death cases are handled on a contingency fee basis.