Every year in the state of California, hundreds of people are injured in public transportation accidents while using services which are in business of transporting passengers. These “common carriers” that operate in San Francisco includes buses.

The city of San Francisco is frequently visited by out-of-towners who come here to enjoy the fine weather, wonderful beaches, world-famous landmarks and breath-taking landscape. Many visitors choose to use the bus services on offer as traveling by bus is convenient and affordable. A great many local residents also use buses to commute to and from work and when traveling to locations near and far. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people ride buses in the Bay Area for a wide variety of reasons.

Bus Accident Causes

Bus accident victims are often more seriously injured than car crash victims. This is due in part to the immense size of buses. When a bus crashes, the passengers are violently tossed around wherein they oftentimes suffer from severe, permanent injuries. It is common for passengers on buses not to wear seatbelts. When a crash takes place, the passengers can strike their heads on the seats, walls or windows of the bus and be thrown into each other.

There are a number of things that can cause a bus accident. Neglect on the part of bus drivers to operate their buses with care is a leading cause of bus accidents. Some bus drivers fall asleep behind the wheel when driving for long periods of time. When that happens, a bus can easily leave the roadway wherein it either collides with other vehicles on the road or careens off the roadway into a tree or ditch. Some bus accidents are caused by mechanical failures such as faulty steering mechanisms or brakes. Of course, other drivers on the roadway who are acting negligently can cause bus accidents such as drivers who operate their vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs or drivers who exceed the speed limit.

Bus Accident Injuries

Some of the most common injuries sustained in bus accidents are contusions, lacerations, broken bones, compound fractures, head & neck injuries, traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. Emotional pain and suffering is also common following a bus accident and especially so if the accident was very severe wherein it claimed lives. There is nothing as horrifying as being trapped inside a crashed bus that is burning. These types of accident victims often develop anxiety disorders and/or depression that can be crippling. An anxiety or depression sufferer may not be able to work for an extended period of time as they are simply not able to cope with a workplace environment.

Some victims of bus accidents develop panic attacks following the accidents that stop then dead in their tracks. When someone suffers from panic attacks, they often describe a feeling of intense anxiety because they believe they are having a heart attack. These are a few examples that demonstrate why bus accident victims can sometimes file legal claims for emotional pain and suffering they experience due to the accidents they were involved in.

Expert Legal Assistance After a Bus Accident

A bus accident can cause catastrophic injuries that may affect you for the rest of your life. A tragic bus accident can even cause you to lose a loved one. Filing a legal claim for compensation is very important as doing so can help you obtain the funds necessary to pay for medical care, lost wages and future healthcare costs. Once you have obtained the medical treatment you need following your accident, you should get in touch with an attorney that specializes in personal injury cases right away.

The attorneys working at Hogan Injury can help you as we have the experience and know-how needed to assist you in winning your case. We will carefully go over what has happened to you so that we fully understand what occurred, why it happened and who or what is to blame. If we determine that you have valid claim, we will get to work right away so that you win your case as quickly as possible.

We have the legal skills needed to obtain a positive outcome so that you do get the financial compensation you need so you can begin putting the pieces of your life back together again. While you may be tempted to settle with an insurance company, we never recommend that as doing so could jeopardize your entire future.

While you may not be aware of it just now, it could be that you require long-term medical treatment and/or rehabilitation services due to the severity of your injuries. You also may find out at a later date that you cannot work due to your injuries. This is why you should seek the assistance of our personal injury attorneys who will fight hard for your rights.

What is Expected of Bus Companies

Because bus companies are common carriers that are in the business of transporting passengers, there are strict laws in effect which are designed to protect passengers who use buses. By law, bus companies must:

• Ensure that there is a seat available for every passenger (with the exception of municipal buses)
• Ensure that their vehicles are not driven erratically
• Ensure that equipment is in good working order and well-maintained
• Ensure that vehicles and equipment are free of debris
• Ensure that passengers are let off in safe areas
• Ensure that vehicles are not driven erratically
• Ensure that regular schedules are followed

Whether your injuries were sustained while commuting, sight-seeing, touring or traveling to a casino, our San Francisco public transportation attorneys can help you. We know how a single serious injury can turn your world upside down. We are caring, compassionate Bay Area personal injury attorneys that work hard to help our clients get the compensation they are eligible to receive.