Ventura Bus Accident Attorney

Injured in a Bus Accident in Ventura? Our Trusted Law Firm Can Help

Bus accidents occur at an alarming frequency and may be disasters that leave many individuals suffering long-term consequences. If you or someone you love has sustained injuries in a bus crash in Ventura, reach out to Skinner Law Corp at once to ensure your rights and interests are protected by an attorney you can trust.

Types of Bus Accidents

Buses are common in Ventura, using the streets and freeways to transport passengers. The many types of bus accidents occurring in the area include:

Public Transit Bus Accidents

City buses operated by municipal transit agencies are involved in accidents due to factors like driver negligence, mechanical failure, or hazardous road conditions. Passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists may suffer injuries, leading to claims against the transit authority.

School Bus Accidents

School buses transport children and are expected to follow strict safety protocols. Accidents may result from driver negligence, poor bus maintenance, or dangerous road conditions, putting children at serious risk. Liability can extend to the driver, school district, or bus manufacturer.

Charter and Tour Bus Accidents

Private companies operate tour and charter buses for long-distance travel. Driver fatigue, inadequate training, and mechanical defects are common causes of accidents. These cases often involve multiple injured parties and complex liability issues.

Intercity and Commercial Bus Accidents

Commercial or intercity buses operated by VCTC (Ventura County Transportation Commission) carry passengers locally or travel longer distances on freeways and city streets. Speeding, distracted driving, and driver fatigue contribute to bus crashes that result in severe injuries or fatalities. Liability may involve the driver bus or company or third-party maintenance providers.

Pedestrian and Cyclist Collisions

Due to their large size and limited visibility, buses pose a significant risk to pedestrians and cyclists, especially in urban areas. Poor driver awareness, failure to yield, or reckless driving can lead to devastating accidents.

Bus Rollover Accidents

Buses have a high center of gravity, making them prone to rollovers, particularly when navigating sharp turns or when swerving to avoid obstacles. These crashes can result in catastrophic injuries for passengers and others on the road.

Bus Stop and Boarding Accidents

Passengers are vulnerable when busy boarding or exiting buses. Accidents can occur due to sudden motions by bus drivers, at crossings, or violations of state laws regarding stopped school buses and children.

Bus and Truck Collisions

When a bus collides with a large truck, the impact can be devastating due to the size, weight, and force involved. These accidents often lead to multi-vehicle pileups, severe injuries, and complex legal claims.

Weather-Related Bus Accidents

Rain and fog can make roadways unsafe and reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a bus accident. While weather is a factor, negligence still plays a role if the driver fails to adjust their speed or driving behavior accordingly.

Each type of bus accident requires a thorough investigation to determine fault and secure fair compensation for victims. At Skinner Law Corp, we specialize in handling complex bus accident claims, ensuring victims receive the justice they deserve.

Bus Accident Injuries: Serious, Catastrophic, and Fatal Injuries

A bus accident can be a disaster, with many injured passengers who have sustained injuries when a bus collides with another vehicle, rolls over, or leaves the road. The most common types of injuries sustained in these accidents include the following:

Whiplash and Severe Neck Injuries

Occurs when a sudden stop or impact causes the head to jerk forward and backward rapidly. These injuries are common in rear-end collisions or cases where the bus must suddenly stop.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Concussions

These serious injuries occur when a passenger’s head strikes a hard surface like a window, seat, or floor when a bus collides with another vehicle, leaves the road, or rolls over.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

The spinal cord can be damaged when a passenger is thrown from their seat, or the body is violently twisted during impact. Severe cases may lead to temporary or permanent paralysis. These injuries are more likely in high-speed crashes, rollovers, or collisions with large vehicles.

Fractures

Broken bones can occur when excessive force or pressure is on the body in a collision. These injuries are common in side collisions, ejections, or when passengers try to brace for impact, causing damage to legs, feet, knees, hips, and other skeletal structures. An impact on the facial structure can lead to facial damage requiring reconstructive surgery.

Lacerations, Soft Tissue Damage

These injuries can be sustained due to shattered glass, metal debris, contact with the cabin’s hard surfaces, or being tossed violently into windows or seats. Deep lacerations may lead to permanent scars and infections, which are difficult to resolve.

Internal Organ Damage or Internal Bleeding

Internal organ damage can occur due to blunt force trauma to the torso, often in high-impact collisions. These injuries may not be immediately visible, and prompt medical attention may be necessary.

Burns and Smoke Inhalation

It occurs when a fire ignites after a crash or when a bus catches fire. Passengers may suffer from severe burns or lung damage from breathing toxic fumes.

Psychological Trauma and PTSD

Emotional issues can arise after experiencing a violent crash, particularly when the incident leads to severe injuries or passengers die. Symptoms include anxiety, nightmares, or fears.

Crush Injuries

A passenger pinned between seats, doors, or other parts of the bus in a rollover or multi-vehicle pileup can suffer severe tissue damage, amputations, or internal organ damage.

Fatal InjurieS

High-speed crashes, rollovers, or bus-versus-truck accidents can result in fatal injuries that no medical treatment can resolve. These cases may allow for wrongful death claims on behalf of surviving family members.

Bus accidents often lead to serious, life-altering injuries due to the nature of these vehicles and their lack of safety restraints. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a bus accident, Skinner Law Corp is here to fight for your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Bus Accident FAQ

Who can be held liable for a bus accident?

Liability in a bus accident can involve multiple parties, including the bus driver, the bus company, a governmental agency (for public transit buses), third-party maintenance providers, or other negligent drivers. An investigation will determine the party responsible for the crash.

What should I do if I am injured in a bus accident?

If you are injured in a bus accident, seek medical attention immediately, document the scene with photos if possible, gather eyewitness contact information, and above all, call 911 to alert emergency services. Contact an experienced bus accident attorney to protect your right to full compensation.

Can I file a lawsuit if I was a passenger on the bus?

Yes. If you were a passenger injured in a bus accident, you may have a claim against the bus company, driver, or other liable parties. Passengers are rarely at fault, so they are often entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The time frame for filing a claim is limited, particularly if the bus company is operated by any governmental agency, city, county, or state.

What do I do if I am injured as a pedestrian or cyclist in a bus accident?

Pedestrians and cyclists hit by buses can suffer very serious or life-altering injuries. If a bus driver was negligent—such as failing to yield, speeding, or driving distracted—you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the bus company or other responsible parties.

What types of damages can I recover after a bus accident?

Victims of bus accidents may recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, rehabilitation costs, and, in cases of severe injury, long-term disability, or wrongful death damages.

Can bus companies be held accountable for driver negligence?

Yes, in most cases. Bus companies are responsible for ensuring their drivers are properly trained and follow all required safety regulations. If a driver was reckless, fatigued, or impaired, the company may be held liable under vicarious liability or negligent hiring and supervision claims.

How long do I have to file a bus accident claim?

The statute of limitations varies by state, but most personal injury claims must be filed within two to three years from the date of the accident. However, if a government entity operates the bus, you may have a much shorter deadline—sometimes just six months to file a claim. It’s best to consult a lawyer as soon as possible.

Why Choose Us?

At Skinner Law Corp, we thoroughly investigate bus accidents, determine liability, and aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve. We handle negotiations with insurance companies and litigate when necessary to ensure justice for our clients. If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, contact us today at 310-356-0074 for a law firm you can trust to go the distance for you.