Los Angeles Bus Accident Attorney

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Joshua W. Glotzer, Esq

Managing Partner

Los Angeles bus accident attorney

You probably don’t expect to be involved in an accident when you step onto a Los Angeles bus. Sadly, bus crashes can happen anytime, and bus accident injuries can be dire. You need an experienced bus accident lawyer, and Glotzer & Leib can fight for your rights.

Recovering compensation following a bus accident is much more complex than recovering compensation in a “normal” two-car accident. Bus accident cases can involve the bus driver, city or private bus company, and multiple other third parties.

If you have been injured in a bus accident, call Los Angeles bus accident attorney Joshua W. Glotzer today. We offer a free consultation and only get paid if we win.

Contact us online or call (747) 241-8288 to get started. Let our bus accident lawyers fight for you.

Our Los Angeles Bus Accident Attorney Knows The Dangers of Local Buses

Our Los Angeles bus accident attorney knows the dangers of local buses

While buses are one of the safer ways to travel, you could still find yourself on a Los Angeles bus that is involved in an accident, leaving you with significant injuries, particularly since bus travel is the primary method of travel for many Los Angeles commuters.

Buses are considered common carriers, i.e., they transport people for money. Therefore, bus drivers are charged with using the utmost diligence and care for their passengers’ safety. More specifically, California Civil Code Section 2100 requires that bus carriers exercise reasonable skill and provide everything needed to care for passengers.

A lack of safety measures might have caused your injuries. In other cases, negligence may have been involved on the driver’s part, the company that owns the bus, or even the manufacturer of the bus or bus parts. Bus accidents occur for all types of reasons. If you have suffered a serious bus accident, contact us today.

Types of Bus Accidents

Most bus accident victims fall into one of two groups. The first includes those in smaller vehicles who have the misfortune of colliding with a bus. Sadly, these victims often don’t survive or are left with a catastrophic injury, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury (SCI), as a result of the wreck.

However, just as tragically, members of the second group of victims, those riding in buses involved in crashes, are similarly at risk of suffering injury or being killed in a bus accident. Riding in a large vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer truck or bus, can sometimes give us this false sense of safety.

However, the fact is that anytime you are in a traffic accident, no matter what size vehicle you’re in, you are in danger of suffering an injury, including losing your life.

Glotzer & Leib, LLP, has seen many accidents as a law firm specializing in personal injury cases related to bus accidents. Here are some of the different types of bus accidents that their attorneys have handled:

  • Rear-end collisions occur when a bus crashes into the back of another vehicle. This can happen if the driver is distracted, following too closely, or unable to stop in time.
  • Head-on collisions: In a head-on collision, a bus crashes into another vehicle or object while traveling in the opposite direction. The force of a collision can make these accidents especially dangerous.
  • Side-impact collisions: Also known as T-bone collisions, these accidents occur when a bus crashes into the side of another vehicle. This can happen at intersections or when one vehicle fails to yield the right of way.
  • Rollover accidents: Rollover accidents can happen if a bus takes a turn too quickly, hits a curb, or is involved in a collision that causes it to tip over. These accidents can be particularly dangerous, as passengers may be thrown inside the bus.
  • Pedestrian accidents: If a bus strikes a pedestrian, the injuries can be catastrophic or fatal. Pedestrian accidents can happen if the driver is not paying attention, fails to yield the right of way, or is driving recklessly.

No matter what type of bus accident you have been involved in, it is important to seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney. We even address school bus accident cases.

The attorneys at Glotzer & Leib, LLP, have the knowledge and expertise to help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries and other damages.

When Your Bus Accident Occurs on a Los Angeles City Bus

When your bus accident occurs on a Los Angeles City bus

There are much stricter guidelines for those filing lawsuits against a California governmental entity, including much shorter statutes of limitations.

Government-run buses, such as the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, require those injured in a bus accident to file a claim within six months from the date of the accident.

The U.S. Government has enacted the Federal Tort Claims Act, which waives a governmental entity’s immunity and allows an injured person to file a claim based on acts or omissions.

Further requirements of the Federal Tort Claims Act include:

  • The facts supporting your claim of injury must be specific enough to allow the governmental entity to conduct a proper investigation.
  • The facts supporting your claim must include a specific amount for your damages, such as your medical bills.
  • The government has six months to rule on your claim.
  • If the governmental entity admits fault, you will be compensated for your injury. The amount of compensation may be what you claimed as damages or it could be only a portion of that amount.
  • If your claim is denied, you may file a lawsuit for your injuries, but that lawsuit must be filed within two years of the denial.

A governmental entity could also be responsible for your bus accident if they were directly responsible for a hazardous highway or road condition that led to the accident.

This could include roadside hazards, line-of-sight obstructions, improperly marked construction zones, unreasonably dangerous railway crossings, or sharp pavement edge drops.

If your injuries did not occur on a city bus, the California statute of limitations allows you two years from the date of your accident in which to file a claim.

What Should I Do If I’m in a Bus Accident?

If you get caught in a bus accident, you should first call 911 and check to see if you or anyone else is hurt. You should seek immediate medical attention if you or anyone else is injured.

After your injuries have been treated, and only if you’re physically able, try to collect as much evidence as you can, including:

  • Witness information
  • Police and medical reports
  • Pictures of the accident scene and your injuries
  • Your written notes about the incident

In addition to gathering evidence, you should speak with a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles as soon as possible because if you pursue litigation in a bus accident case, you must act quickly due to notice requirements and statutes of limitation that can be more complicated if the bus or vehicle is owned or operated by a government entity, including a city or county.

A personal injury attorney can explain your rights following a bus crash and help you determine if you have a case and whether or not a bus accident lawsuit is the best option for you to pursue.

Who Can Sue After a Bus Accident?

Who can sue after a bus accident

Buses (including public transit, shuttle, tour, charter, and school buses) are what are known as common carriers, which refer to any vehicle licensed to transport passengers for a fee. Additional examples of common carriers include:

 

  • Taxis
  • Uber Vehicle
  • Subways
  • Planes
  • Ferries
  • Trains
  • Limousines
  • Trolleys

In many cases, the regulation of common carriers falls under state and federal law, which enforces a duty of care that buses and other common carriers must follow, such as:

  • Staying updated on and repairing vehicle defects;
  • Employing qualified vehicle operators and making sure they are trained correctly;
  • Keeping vehicles properly maintained;
  • If required, having security in place in vehicles and facilities to keep passengers safe;
  • Ensuring passenger vehicle areas are safe, such as keeping entryways and exits well-lit and clear of obstructions.

Those injured in a bus accident may be able to hold those at fault accountable by filing a claim or a lawsuit.

Injury victims in these types of cases can include bus passengers, pedestrians, drivers and passengers in other vehicles, bus drivers, or the family of anyone killed in a bus accident due to another’s negligence.

In addition, even if a traffic crash wasn’t involved, such as a slip and fall accident onboard a bus, injury victims may still be eligible to recover compensation for their injuries.

What Can a Bus Accident Lawyer Do to Help Victims?

What can a bus accident lawyer do to help victims

Often, bus accident victims are left with severe and, in some cases, debilitating and permanent injuries, including. A few examples of common bus accident injuries include:

 

 

  • SCIs;
  • Paralysis;
  • Burns;
  • TBIs;
  • Bullet and stab wounds;
  • Broken and fractured bones;
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning;
  • Whiplash;
  • Severed extremities, such as arms, hands, or legs.

Some of these types of injuries can lead to victims requiring a lifetime of care, suffering a drastically reduced quality of life, and being unable to continue to work. In addition, if victims can no longer work and/or require long-term care, their finances can quickly become unmanageable.

A bus accident attorney can give people injured in bus crashes and their families someone on their side who negotiates with insurance companies, faces off against bus companies, and investigates accidents daily. Ways in which personal injury lawyers can help include:

  • Ensure that people have someone representing them who helps bus accident victims and families daily and defends their rights against transportation companies and their insurers.
  • Taking care of the legal aspects of the aftermath of bus accidents for victims and their families so that they can concentrate on their own health and well-being.
  • Helping bus crash victims and their families recover the compensation that the law allows for hospital bills, rehabilitation expenses, and, in the case of fatal injuries, funeral costs.
  • Ensure those responsible for a bus accident are held accountable and deterred from hurting others in the future.

Los Angeles Bus Accident Statistics

According to data from the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 115 bus accidents in Los Angeles County in 2019. These accidents resulted in 26 injuries and one fatality.

Additionally, data from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) shows 243 collisions involving LADOT buses in 2019. Of these, 51 were classified as preventable, and 192 were classified as non-preventable.

It’s worth noting that these statistics only include accidents that were reported to the authorities. Due to the possibility of unreported accidents or accidents handled by private parties without involving the police, there may be more bus accidents in Los Angeles.

If you have been involved in a bus accident in Los Angeles, it is important to seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney. Glotzer & Leib, LLP, can help you be aware of your legal options and work to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries and other damages.

Los Angeles Bus Accident FAQs

What should I do if I’ve been involved in a bus accident in Los Angeles?

If you’ve been involved in a bus accident in Los Angeles, the first step is to seek medical attention for any injuries. After that, it’s important to document the details of the accident and contact an experienced personal injury attorney like Glotzer & Leib, LLP, to discuss your legal options.

How much does it cost to hire a bus accident attorney in Los Angeles?

Glotzer & Leib, LLP, offers a free consultation to prospective clients. If you decide to hire the firm, they will work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t owe any fees unless they win your case.

How long does a bus accident case take to be resolved?

The length of a bus accident case can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the accident and the legal process. Some cases can be resolved quickly through negotiations with insurance companies, while others may require a trial and can take several years to resolve.

What kind of compensation can I receive for my injuries in a bus accident case?

If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, you may be able to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you recognize the full range of compensation you may be entitled to.

Can I still file a bus accident claim if I was partially at fault for the accident?

California follows a comparative negligence system, which means that you can still file a claim even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, the amount of compensation you receive may be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you.

What sets Glotzer & Leib, LLP apart from other personal injury law firms in Los Angeles?

Glotzer & Leib, LLP has more than 50 years of combined experience handling personal injury cases, including those related to bus accidents.

The firm is committed to providing personalized attention to each client and has a track record of success in securing millions of dollars in compensation for their clients. They also offer a free consultation to prospective clients so you can better know your legal options at no cost to you.

Glotzer & Leib, LLP Los Angeles Bus Accident Attorney

Why Choose Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer Josh Glotzer?

Attorney Josh Glotzer of Glotzer & Leib, LLP, founded his firm to ensure that victims and families who might otherwise be denied justice have someone to turn to who is dedicated to obtaining justice for his clients, including holding those who did them harm accountable.

Our Los Angeles personal injury attorney always puts his clients first, as he works tirelessly to ensure the security of their future and the necessary closure that they deserve.

If you’ve been involved in a bus accident in Los Angeles, you may be wondering who to turn to for help. Glotzer & Leib, LLP is a law firm that specializes in personal injury cases, including those related to bus accidents. Here are four reasons why you should trust Glotzer & Leib with your bus accident case:

Unparalleled Experience Handling Bus Accident Claims

First and foremost, Glotzer & Leib has a wealth of experience in handling personal injury cases. Their attorneys have been practicing law for more than 50 years combined and have handled thousands of cases over that time. They are familiar with the intricacies of personal injury law and can help you navigate the legal system to get the compensation you deserve.

Personalized Attention For Each Client

Second, Glotzer & Leib is committed to providing personalized attention to each client. They are aware that every case is unique and requires a tailored approach. When you work with Glotzer & Leib, you can expect individualized attention and a customized legal strategy to meet your specific needs.

A Long Track Record of Success

Third, Glotzer & Leib has a track record of success in personal injury cases related to bus accidents. They have secured millions of dollars in compensation for their clients over the years and are committed to fighting for the rights of accident victims.

A Risk-Free, No-Obligation, Free Case Consultation

Finally, Glotzer & Leib offers a free consultation to prospective clients. This means that you can speak with an experienced attorney at no cost and better recognize your legal options. During the consultation, the attorney will review the details of your case and provide an honest assessment of its strengths and weaknesses.

Contact Our Los Angeles Bus Accident Attorney To Schedule a Free Case Consultation

Contact our Los Angeles bus accident attorney to schedule a free case consultation

If you’ve been involved in a bus accident in Los Angeles, Glotzer & Leib, LLP is a law firm you can trust to handle your case. With our Los Angeles bus accident attorney’s experience, personalized attention, track record of success, and commitment to providing free consultation, you can feel confident that your case is in good hands.

To learn more about Glotzer & Leib, LLP and how we may be able to help you, visit our case results page. You can also call us directly or fill out our online contact form to set up a free consultation.

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      “Mr. Glotzer represented me after I was involved in a car accident. I was badly injured,but the insurance company refused to offer me a reasonable settlement. I decided to find an attorney and decided to hire Josh.

      His law firm did a great job on my case. They were very responsive to all my questions and obtained a great resolution for me. I received way more money than was originally offered. I would recommend their firm to friends and family.”

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      “Mr. Josh Glotzer is a great attorney. Over the last 15 years he has helped me on a number of cases with professionalism, and more importantly a positive outcome in my favor. I have referred him to a number of friends and colleagues, all of which have been equally as happy with his legal representation. I trust him and confident in legal ability. I highly recommend his law firm.”

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      “Don’t try to deal with insurance companies on your own. They strung me along for almost two years before I gave the case to Glotzer & Leib. Josh and his team quickly obtained a settlement that netted me many times what the insurance company was offering. Thank You!”

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      “My wife was in a car accident last year and Josh did an amazing job representing her. It’s very refreshing to see someone in his profession that actually cares and puts his clients first. He’s the best in the business and I feel so fortunate that I was referred to him. Keep up the great work and thanks for everything you did for my family!”

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      “I was in a rear end car accident last year and hired Mr. Glotzer’s office. It wasn’t a big case but their office helped me with my property damage claim and did a good job resolving the injury portion of the case as well.”

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    Our Location

    Los Angeles Office

    Glotzer & Leib, LLP
    714 West Olympic Blvd., Suite 632
    Los Angeles, California 90015 (213) 309-3050

    Our Los Angeles office is conveniently located at the junction of the 110 and 10 freeways and in the heart of the downtown entertainment district.