Garden Grove Bus Accident Attorneys

For Garden Grove locals, taking the bus can help avoid the area’s parking hassles and inevitable traffic congestion. It can also be a convenient and relaxing way to travel to California’s other metros. However, while bus accidents are less common than other road wrecks, collisions do happen on occasion with the victims suffering serious injuries. Our Garden Grove bus accident attorneys are dedicated to helping victims fight for a fair settlement. We have decades of experience defending the rights of clients seeking damages from bus companies and their insurers. With a track record of success both in and out of court, you can rest assured that we have the knowledge and resources needed to provide tenacious representation at every stage of proceedings. If you were seriously injured in a bus accident, call 1-800-GO-HARRIS to discuss your circumstances with a lawyer.

Types of Damages in a Personal Injury Claim

Bus accidents often involve extreme crash forces which can cause a passenger’s head to smash into the seatback or whip around violently. This blunt force trauma can result in whiplash, spinal cord injuries, and brain injuries. Some victims may never recover, left to face a lifetime of pain, limitations, and sky-high medical expenses. However, losses in a bus accident claim are not just limited to your medical bills. Claimants can pursue a range of damages such as lost wages, repair bills, and many others. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. we can help investigate the accident to determine which damages might be available to you and your family. Below are the three main categories of losses typically available to claimants in a bus accident case:

• Economic Damages: These damages represent the costs you have incurred as a direct result of the accident. Typically, economic damages will include medical bills, repair costs, and lost wages but can also encompass home modifications, alternative transportation, childcare, and future necessary healthcare interventions.
• Non-Economic Damages: Not all damages can be seen with the naked eye. Some, such as emotional distress or humiliation, are invisible wounds that can still have a serious negative impact on your quality of life. As such, plaintiffs are entitled to seek damages for intangible losses including loss of consortium, mental anguish, and pain and suffering. For example, if your injuries caused you to experience high levels of pain throughout your recovery, your attorney may be able to build a convincing claim for non-economic damages. They may rely on your personal injury journal, psychiatric reports, and other evidence to prove such losses.
• Punitive Damages: Unlike the losses listed above, punitive damages are not designed to reimburse the accident victim for their accident-related expenses. Instead, punitive damages exist as a punishment to dissuade others from engaging in the same behavior as the defendant. To obtain compensation for such, your attorney will have to prove that the defendant acted with oppression, malice, or fraud.

How Much Is My Claim Worth?

Between the medical bills, repairs, and lost wages, a sudden accident can put serious strain on your finances. Unsurprisingly, most victims are eager to find out how much their claims may be worth. After all, a favorable settlement is often the only buffer standing between paying the bills and filing for bankruptcy. In an ideal world, we could tell you exactly how much you stand to gain when you file your claim. However, there is no magic crystal ball, so it’s impossible to guarantee a specific outcome in your case. Our legal team will first need to investigate your claim, consult with expert witnesses, and compile all available evidence before we can estimate the potential recovery in your case. That said, here are a few factors that could impact your financial award:

• Did Your Injuries Prevent You from Working? Whether you were stuck in hospital recovering or were unable to work due to pain or limitations stemming from your injuries, these lost wages could form part of your potential recovery. The value of such losses will likely depend on your salary before the accident, the number of days you were unable to work, and whether your injuries will impact your income-earning capacity in the long run.

• Did You Have to Pay for Any Repairs? If any personal property—such as your clothing, laptop, or smartphone, was damaged in the accident—you may be able to seek compensation for the cost of repairing or replacing these items. Compile any related receipts to share with your attorney during your case review.

• Did You Seek Medical Treatment? Even if you feel fine after an accident, you should still schedule a doctor’s appointment. A prompt diagnosis will ensure that any serious injuries are not left untreated thus reducing the risk of your condition worsening. Additionally, seeking immediate medical treatment can help you avoid disputes down the line. If an opposing party discovers that you delayed a diagnosis—or skipped this step entirely—you could face disputes over failure to mitigate damages.

Contact Us Today to Speak to a Garden Grove Bus Accident Attorney

If you were injured in a bus accident, it may be in your best interests to sit down with a personal injury attorney. At Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, your initial consultation is free. Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS or shoot us a message by using our Contact Form to schedule a case review.