When you step onto a bus in San Jose, you probably don’t think it will get into an accident. As a passenger, you assume the bus driver will do everything in his or her power to avoid a collision, and that the company has inspected and maintained the vehicle before letting it on the roadway. These are reasonable assumptions based on the bus company’s duties of care to you as a passenger. Unfortunately, buses do get in negligence-related accidents. If you suffered injuries in a San Jose public, school, or private bus accident, call the dedicated bus accident lawyers at Henshaw Law Office.
Many bus accidents aren’t “accidents” at all. They are incidents that arise because of someone’s negligence. A distracted bus driver, a company cutting corners on safety protocols, another driver running a red light… In almost all bus crashes, there are one or more parties who caused the crash due to negligence, recklessness, or an unlawful act. In these cases, accident victims have the right to sue the responsible party for compensation.
The injury attorneys at Henshaw & Henry have represented victims of bus accidents in San Jose and San Francisco. We know that most of the time, bus crashes and resultant injuries and deaths are avoidable with due care. We can go up against private bus companies as well as the city government for a school or public bus crash, fighting for your right to fair compensation for personal injuries, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Suing the City of San Jose for a bus accident is possible. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is in charge of public bus services in San Jose. It operates 70 regular bus routes, including a rapid bus line along the Line 22 route. The VTA owes great responsibilities to passengers, such as properly maintaining buses, and hiring competent drivers. Any breach of duty or act of negligence that results in a bus accident can result in VTA liability for damages.
Suing a government agency involves special rules and requirements compared to other personal injury claims. You typically have six months from the date of the crash to file your complaint with the government agency you believe is responsible. If you miss this deadline, you may lose the opportunity to file. If you’ve been in a bus crash on a city-run bus, or if your child has been in a school bus accident, retain an attorney. These cases can be difficult to pursue, but well worth the effort with the right attorney.
After any traffic accident, there are things you can do to protect your rights and improve your chances of fair compensation. First, obtain prompt medical care. Do not delay seeing your doctor or visiting the hospital after a bus accident. Get an examination even if you don’t feel injured. Keep copies of all medical records. Try to preserve evidence from the scene of the accident, such as photographs or police reports. Record important facts such as the number of the bus you were on and the name of the driver. Then, take all of your information to Henshaw Law Office’s San Jose law office. We are available for free consultations. Contact us today.
