A bus accident can cause severe injuries and leave an injured person facing expensive medical care and months away from work. Our Fresno personal injury attorneys can investigate the crash and help you pursue compensation. Call (559) 447-9000 or message Freedman Law online to schedule a free consultation with a Fresno bus accident lawyer.
Why Injured Passengers Choose Our Legal Team
Personal attention throughout the claim. An attorney stays involved, answers questions, and explains each major decision instead of leaving the client uncertain about the case.
A strategy supported by evidence. We investigate the operator, vehicle, route, maintenance history, and other factors that contributed to the accident before demanding compensation.
No attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency-fee basis, allowing an injured person to pursue a claim without paying legal fees upfront.
What Types of Fresno Bus Accidents Can Lead to a Claim?
Bus injury claims include more than collisions with other vehicles. Passengers can suffer harm when a driver brakes abruptly, accelerates before they find a seat, closes a door on them, mishandles an accessibility ramp, or uses an unsafe boarding location.
Claims may involve Fresno Area Express buses, Handy Ride paratransit vehicles, school buses, charter coaches, intercity carriers, tour buses, hotel or airport shuttles, casino buses, and employer transportation. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and occupants of other vehicles can also pursue compensation when a bus driver or operator causes a collision. Our Fresno pedestrian accident attorneys can help when a bus strikes someone walking or crossing near a bus stop.
How Do Bus Accidents Happen in Fresno?
Professional drivers must account for a bus’s size, wide turns, blind spots, stopping distance, and standing passengers. Common causes include:
Bus Driver Negligence
Driver distraction.
Speeding.
Unsafe lane changes.
Fatigue.
Inadequate training.
Failure to check mirrors before turning.
Mechanical Problems
Brake failure
Tire blowouts
Steering loss
Fires
Defective doors
Third Party Liability
A negligent motorist
Road construction
A broken traffic signal
A hazardous bus stop
An in-depth investigation must be completed to consider all contributing factors rather than relying solely on the initial incident report.
Who Is Liable After a Bus Accident in Fresno?
Responsibility depends on who controlled the driver, owned the bus, maintained the vehicle, and created the danger. Potentially liable parties include:
The Driver
A driver may bear responsibility for speeding, distraction, unsafe turns, or failure to protect boarding passengers.
The Operator or Employer
A public agency or private company may answer for an employee’s negligence, inadequate training, unsafe schedules, or poor maintenance.
A Maintenance Provider or Manufacturer
Faulty repairs or a defective component may place responsibility on a contractor or manufacturer.
Another Road User
A driver may cause a crash by violating the right of way or making an unsafe maneuver near the bus.
Each responsible party may have separate insurance coverage, so identifying everyone who contributed allows the injured person to pursue compensation from every available source.
What Compensation Can an Injured Person Recover After a Fresno Bus Accident?
A bus accident claim may include compensation for losses the injured person has already experienced and those expected in the future. Recoverable damages may include:
Medical care: Compensation may cover emergency treatment, surgery, medication, rehabilitation, assistive equipment, and reasonably necessary future care.
Lost income and reduced earning ability: A claim can include wages already lost and the value of future income the injury prevents the person from earning.
Pain and loss of normal life: Noneconomic damages address pain, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, and reduced enjoyment of daily activities.
Related expenses: A claimant may seek reimbursement for damaged property, transportation costs, home assistance, and other accident-related expenses.
Wrongful death losses: Eligible family members may pursue funeral expenses, lost support, and loss of the deceased person’s companionship and guidance.
The value of your claim will depend on the evidence, your injury severity, prognosis, the available insurance coverage, and each party’s share of fault.
California Bus Accident Laws
Common Carriers Must Exercise the Utmost Care
Many buses that transport passengers for compensation qualify as common carriers. California Civil Code § 2100 requires “the utmost care and diligence” for passengers’ safe transportation. This heightened duty can apply to driving, vehicle condition, boarding, and exiting.
Ordinary Negligence Rules Can Also Apply
California Civil Code § 1714 generally holds people responsible when their failure to use reasonable care causes an injury. California allows you to recover compensation even if you share some responsibility for the accident. However, your percentage of fault reduces the amount you receive. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you are 20 percent responsible, you could recover $80,000.
Different Deadlines Apply to Public and Private Operators
Claims involving a government-operated bus require faster action. The City of Fresno operates Fresno Area Express as a public service. Under California Government Code § 911.2, a claim for personal injury or death against a public entity generally must be presented within six months after it accrues. If the agency issues a written rejection that complies with the statute, Government Code § 945.6 generally allows six months from the rejection notice to file a lawsuit.
Why Hiring a Fresno Bus Accident Lawyer Is Important
After a bus accident, a Fresno personal injury attorney can protect your rights and prevent you from decisions that unintentionally harm your claim. They can work on your behalf to preserve critical evidence, investigate responsibility, and identify available insurance coverage. They will keep you informed, explain each step clearly, answer your questions, and provide honest advice about your case.
A lawyer will handle all government filing requirements involved, document your losses, and negotiate for fair compensation. If the responsible party refuses to resolve the claim fairly, a trustworthy attorney will be prepared to take the case to trial. This support strengthens your opportunity to recover the compensation you deserve while allowing you to focus on your health.
Speak With a Fresno Bus Accident Attorney
If a Fresno bus accident injured you or took the life of a family member, contact our legal team today to discuss your legal options. Call (559) 447-9000 or send Freedman Law a message online for a free consultation.
