Many people throughout California use buses daily to commute to work, while parents rely on school buses to transport their children. Although buses are generally considered safe, accidents can and do happen. If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, special laws may apply to your case. Read on to learn more, and then contact Law Offices of Michael A. Kahn at (310) 209-1600 for a free legal consultation.
Can You Sue the Government if You Were Injured in a Bus Accident?
In many instances, the government owns the buses involved in accidents. Whether the bus is owned by the city, state, or another government agency, you may wonder if you can sue them if you’ve been injured. The short answer is yes, you can sue the government if their negligence or that of their employees led to your accident.
Contact an Experienced Bus Accident Attorney as Soon as Possible
After any accident, it’s crucial to contact a personal injury attorney promptly. This urgency is even more critical when suing a government agency. The timeframe for filing a claim against a government entity is significantly shorter than against a private individual. Special laws and deadlines govern these cases, so working with an attorney experienced in bus accident claims is essential.
Special Laws Affecting Buses
To pursue a claim in a bus accident, you must prove that either the bus driver or the bus owner was negligent or at fault. This negligence can take many forms, such as speeding, distracted driving, or failing to maintain the bus properly.
Public transportation companies are subject to common carrier laws, which impose a higher duty of care on them due to their responsibility for many passengers. This means that actions or failures that may not be considered negligent for a private vehicle driver could be grounds for a lawsuit against a bus driver or bus company.
What to Expect When Suing a Government Agency
If the bus involved in your accident is owned or operated by the government, you will be filing a claim against a government agency. In California, you have six months from the date of the accident to file this claim. If the claim is denied, you still have time to file a lawsuit, but the timeframe for these cases is much tighter than typical personal injury cases, which can be filed up to two years after the accident.
The Importance of Acting Quickly
Given the shortened timeframe and the complexity of laws governing bus accidents and claims against government entities, it’s crucial to act quickly. An experienced bus accident attorney can guide you through the process, ensuring that you meet all deadlines and that your case is as strong as possible.
Bus accidents can be complex, especially when they involve government-owned vehicles. If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, it’s essential to understand the special laws that may affect your case and to act quickly to protect your rights. Contact Law Offices of Michael A. Kahn at (310) 209-1600 for a free legal consultation and to get the expert assistance you need to navigate your claim.
