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Nov 2, 2021
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) bus fleet can be a convenient and economical way to travel from Point A to Point B. But bus accidents leading to serious injuries and even fatalities are not uncommon. When a bus accident injury occurs and you’re left with mounting medical bills and lost wages, filing a civil lawsuit can be a means of recovering critical damages to ensure a full recovery.
Below we will take a look at some recent Los Angeles-area bus accidents, review what damages are commonly recovered in personal injury lawsuits, and discuss how to hire a bus accident lawyer from Dordulian Law Group who will fight to recover maximum financial compensation for your claim.
Los Angeles MTA bus accidents occur more frequently than you might think. Some recent examples of bus accidents in Los Angeles County include:
– Metro G Van Nuys Bus Crash: Just last month, a Metro G Orange Line Bus collided with a sedan in Van Nuys. The bus accident caused five people to sustain minor injuries.
– South L.A. Bus Crash: In December 2019, a multi-vehicle collision involving a South L.A. bus occurred on Broadway right before West Gage Avenue in the Florence area. At least four people were reportedly injured with one individual being trapped inside the bus.
– Willowbrook MTA Bus Crash: In September 2019, 10 people were injured and one man killed when a MTA bus struck a group of cars in Willowbrook. The early-morning bus crash, occurring at around 2:10 a.m., happened on Alameda Street and actually caused a chain reaction collision. One of the vehicles impacted by the bus, a Ford F-150, was propelled onto the sidewalk where it struck 32-year-old Jose Hernandez of Lynwood who was standing near a food stand.
– Mid-Wilshire Bus Strikes Passenger: In February 2019, a woman attempting to flag down an eastbound bus along Wilshire Boulevard and Rossmore Avenue was struck and killed. The Metro bus collided with the female pedestrian as she stepped off the sidewalk, according to local news reports.
– Elysian Park Charter Bus Crash: In February 2020, a charter bus carrying a group of children crashed into a power pole near Elysian Park. The force of the crash caused electrical wires to fall on the vehicle. Four girls onboard – all approximately 12 years of age – were injured and taken to a local hospital.
In terms of public safety, studies have shown that public transportation is 10 times safer than other options. However, in the unfortunate event of a public transit bus accident leading to an injury (or a tragic fatality), it’s important to know how to properly file a lawsuit seeking to recover financial compensation for various losses. By hiring a bus accident lawyer, you can pursue a maximum damages award from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
However, a bus injury lawsuit against the MTA involves a different process than suing an at-fault automobile driver or even a private or charter bus company. The Los Angeles County MTA is a public entity, and the statute of limitations for filing a bus accident injury claim is therefore much shorter than a typical personal injury civil lawsuit.
Under the California Tort Claims Act, specific steps and rules must be followed in order to successfully file a bus accident injury claim. In almost all cases involving a public entity, you will need to file your claim within six months from the date of the incident. Accordingly, it is highly recommended that you speak with a skilled and experienced bus accident attorney from Dordulian Law Group (DLG) immediately after your incident to ensure all deadlines are met and your claim is filed properly. Failing to meet all deadlines and adhere to all guidelines will likely result in your claim – whether for a bus accident injury or wrongful death – against the Los Angeles MTA being denied or barred.
Damages can vary on a case-by-case basis and depend on the specific circumstances of your bus accident injury. Some common damages recoverable after a bus accident injury include:
In the tragic event of a fatality occurring due to a bus accident, the surviving family members may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim seeking to recover various types of damages. Some common wrongful death damages that may be recoverable after a tragic bus accident include:
California wrongful death lawsuits typically do not include punitive damages, as state law stipulates they only be considered when serious or malicious wrongdoing has taken place. However, punitive damages are not capped in the state of California. DLG pursues punitive damages in all applicable bus accident cases.
Filing a bus accident injury (or wrongful death) lawsuit against a public entity like the MTA can be a challenging endeavor. However, the experienced bus accident lawyers at DLG are here to fight on your behalf, working tirelessly to help you recover the maximum financial compensation you deserve.
DLG is California’s leading personal injury firm, with decades of experience helping victims like you recover maximum damages awards totaling over $100,000,000. Contact us today online or by phone at 866-GO-SEE-SAM for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help you after an unfortunate Los Angeles MTA bus accident.
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