Westminster Bus Accident Attorneys

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there are more than 200 major bus accidents in California each year. Victims often suffer serious injuries that can have long-ranging impacts, not only straddling the injured with thousands of dollars in medical bills but also inhibiting their ability to earn a living and return to their normal routines.  If you were seriously hurt on the road, our Westminster bus accident attorneys have the knowledge, resources, and experience to assist you with your claim. Dial 1-800-GO-HARRIS to connect with a member of our legal team.

What Evidence Could Help Prove My Bus Accident Claim?

While every claim is unique, they share one common requirement: To achieve a successful outcome, you will need to provide strong evidence to prove liability, causation, and damages. When you hire one of our attorneys, he or she will know which evidence needs to be gathered to support your claim and can take the necessary steps to obtain this proof. Here are a few types of evidence that might play a role in your case:

• Eyewitness Accounts: Whether it was another passenger or a bystander, eyewitness accounts can help corroborate important aspects of your case. For instance, if a passenger noticed that the bus driver was texting on their phone in the moments before the accident, their testimony could help show that the driver was distracted and that this may have led to the wreck.

• Official Accident Report: If you or anyone else contacted authorities after the accident, it’s likely police officers arrived at the scene to investigate what happened. Typically, officers will compile an official report wherein they may share their analysis of who or what caused the accident. This report may also discuss injuries, deaths, and property damage stemming from the collision.

• Expert Witness Deposition: Expert witnesses are individuals with specific qualifications that can help provide insight into certain aspects of your bus accident case. For example, if the insurer disputes liability, your personal injury lawyer may depose an accident reconstruction expert who will investigate the wreck to determine who was at fault. Alternatively, your attorney may consult with a vocational expert to find out whether your injuries will affect your earning capacity in the future.

• Medical Records: To obtain a settlement or verdict in a bus accident case, you will need to show evidence of the damages you suffered. Typically, your medical records will include information about the extent of your injuries, prescribed medication, necessary procedures, and other important details about your treatment. Your lawyer will likely use these records to estimate fair compensation for your injuries.

What to Bring to Your Free Consultation at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers

One of our primary roles as your legal representative is to collect the necessary evidence to prove your case. As such, you won’t have to spend hours compiling evidence before the initial consultation. In fact, it may be in your best interests to schedule your consultation as soon as possible because some evidence might be time-sensitive. However, if you took pictures at the accident scene, have obtained certain documents, or gathered any other evidence, be sure to bring these items to your first meeting with a Westminster bus accident attorney. Such evidence can include: 

• Contact Information Collected at the Scene: Your attorney will likely want to reach out to the other parties involved in the accident and onlookers who saw the collision occur.

• Police Officer Names and Badge Numbers: If police officers responded to the accident, it’s likely that they compiled an official report documenting details such as the names of those involved, deaths, injuries, eyewitness statements, and their findings on who or what may have caused the collision. Your attorney may want to see a copy of this report and reach out to the responding officers to clarify any information that is ambiguous or incomplete.

• Photos and Video Footage: An increasing number of motorists are kitting out their cars with advanced dashcams in the event of the worst. As such, it’s possible the bus accident was recorded by one of these cameras or a surveillance camera nearby. This footage could help your attorney prove important aspects of your case such as determining who was responsible for causing the accident.

• A Written Account of the Accident: The trauma of the accident may still be burned into your mind, but even these visceral memories fade over time. As such, it’s a good idea to write down everything you can remember about the moments before, during, and after the accident so that you don’t overlook important details during your consultation.

• Correspondence with the Insurer: Did the bus company’s insurer reach out to you after the accident? Your attorney will likely want to review any correspondence you received in addition to texts or emails you sent. It’s possible you may have said something that could lead to disputes and your lawyer will need to prepare strategies to mitigate or counter such defenses. Once you’ve hired an attorney, you should direct all correspondence from the insurance company to your lawyer. 

Speak to a Westminster Bus Accident Attorney Today

We are ready to take your call—whether it’s during the week, after hours, or on weekends. Contact us on our 24/7 phone line at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or hop over to our Contact Form to schedule a free case review.