Bus accidents pose a unique risk to the public because numerous innocent people on or around the bus are likely to be seriously injured in a crash. When a bus collides with a car or a pedestrian, the result is often catastrophic, if not fatal, injuries. However, determining who is responsible for a bus accident in a metropolitan area like Sacramento or elsewhere in Northern California can be a complex legal task.
At Demas Law Group, our knowledgeable Sacramento bus accident attorneys have more than two decades of experience working with injured victims and their families. Our law firm is well-versed in how public transportation agencies and private enterprise bus lines operate, and we know what the law requires them to do to keep passengers and the public safe.
Clients across Northern California have come to trust Demas Law Group for:
- We have a 99 percent rate of success in obtaining settlements and verdicts for individuals and families harmed in accidents or by other types of negligent acts
- We treat clients like VIPs ─ with compassion, respect, and one-on-one attention
- We pursue justice for the unjustly injured and what we see as our duty to fight for what’s right
- “No Win, No Fee” Guarantee – you will not be charged a cent unless we have recovered compensation for you
After a serious bus accident, you need an experienced legal team with the knowledge and the resources to handle this type of complex claim. Schedule a free consultation with our respected Sacramento bus accident lawyers today. We will review the accident that you were injured in and go over all the legal options available to you. Contact us now.
How Our Law Firm Investigates Passenger Bus Accidents
A thorough investigation of a bus accident is extremely important for determining why a crash occurred and who should be held responsible. Overworked law enforcement and government agencies cannot devote the time and resources required to fully investigate even the worst accidents. When they do investigate, law enforcement agencies focus on potential criminal charges, and government agencies are concerned about public opinion.
Only a personal injury law firm working for you will conduct a thorough, independent investigation of the bus accident you were injured in to determine whether you are owed compensation for your losses.
Our professional accident investigators have the field experience necessary to conduct a proper crash investigation. We also have the know-how to dig through the mountains of regulatory paperwork that bus companies are required to complete and maintain. In addition to police accident reports and other public accounts of the accident, among the evidence we want to obtain are:
- Personnel records of the bus driver’s employment, licensing, driving experience, alcohol testing, performance, etc.
- Dispatch records to identify the bus’s intended route, intended vs. actual departure and arrival times, communications with dispatchers, etc.
- The crashed bus and its event data recorder (EDR). These “black box” devices are found on most commercial buses and record crash data such as speed, engine throttle, brake use, measured changes in forward velocity (Delta-V), steering angle, GPS data, collision warnings, and Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) warnings of problems in bus systems.
- Bus inspection and maintenance records, which may suggest a mechanical problem that was improperly repaired, or neglected work. Maintenance records may also point to a liable third-party service provider.
- Surveillance video from public or private sources, such as stoplight cameras or store security cameras.
- Footage may show the bus prior to the accident or even show the crash.
- The bus driver’s cellphone records, which could show use at the time of the accident, and therefore distracted driving.
- Bus and/or bus component recall notices, which could indicate that a motor coach company or transit agency ignored a known defect and negligently put an unsafe vehicle on the road.
To investigate complex bus accidents, we often work with accident reconstruction specialists who use advanced forensic techniques to determine how a crash occurred. These professionals prepare detailed reports for us that serve as evidence in a claim, and they can testify as expert witnesses in cases that go to trial.
Our law firm will work quickly to identify what caused the crash and which party(s) should be held liable. If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a bus accident, schedule a free consultation today to get started on your claim.
