Because buses have no seatbelts and lots of passengers, a crash involving these vehicles can be disastrous. Michael D. Waks is a bus accident lawyer in Long Beach who knows how horrific these wrecks can be. He is proud to help victims and their loved ones fight for fair compensation in personal injury and wrongful death cases.
The Law Office of Michael D. Waks relies on a vast network of resources, including medical and accident reconstruction experts, to build the strongest possible claims. If you were hurt in a bus accident and want to seek monetary damages, call (888) 394-1174 for a free consultation.
Why Bus Accidents Are Particularly Serious
Long Beach bus injury attorney Michael D. Waks has seen just how life-changing these wrecks can be. When larger, heavier buses collide with smaller, lighter passenger cars, bicycles, or pedestrians, the results are often tragic.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, two-thirds of all bus accidents involve a collision with another vehicle, while one-third involves pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents.
Bus drivers, and the companies they work for, have a duty to operate their vehicles in a safe and responsible manner. Yet unsafe driving, fatigue and poor bus maintenance inexcusably contribute to serious bus accidents.
What to Do After the Wreck
You should always contact the police after any motor-vehicle accident. An officer can create a traffic crash report (TCR), which documents important details about the wreck.
Your next two priorities are to seek medical care and to contact a lawyer. Delaying either of these could hurt your chances of obtaining fair compensation. For example, if you don’t visit a doctor promptly, the insurer might say that you have failed to mitigate your damages, which could reduce your financial recovery. If you put off your free consultation with an attorney, you might end up making an inadvertent mistake that jeopardizes your claim, such as giving a statement to the insurance company.
How to Mitigate Damages After an Auto Wreck
There are all sorts of steps you can take to put yourself in a better position to recover compensation. As your bus accident attorney in Long Beach, Michael D. Waks can explain exactly what you should and should not do over the course of the proceedings.
There are some steps that you should take from day one. These include mitigating your damages, or taking reasonable measures to minimize the costs you incur as a result of the accident.
Here are a few steps you can take to mitigate damages:
- Visit a doctor without delay
- Don’t do anything that might worsen your injury
- Fill all prescriptions on time
- Attend all physical therapy sessions, if applicable
- Don’t return to work too early against your doctor’s orders
How a Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help
Essential evidence to support your claim could be quickly lost, and witnesses might forget vital details. If you or a loved one was injured in a bus crash on the streets of Long Beach or another city in Southern California, contact attorney Michael D. Waks today to protect your rights.
Most buses are owned or operated by a governmental entity. Specific rules, regulations, and time frames for filing a lawsuit apply when dealing with such entities. If you were injured in a bus accident as a passenger, driver or passenger in another vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian, it is essential to get a copy of the incident report confirming the circumstances surrounding the accident, and that you were injured. Then, seek medical attention and contact a skilled personal injury lawyer.
Michael D. Waks has been representing and winning million-dollar awards for personal injury victims for over 30 years. Call (888) 394-1174 for a free consultation.
Contact a Bus Accident Attorney in Long Beach, CA for a Free Consultation
Michael D. Waks is an accomplished bus accident attorney who has dedicated his career to helping the injured fight for the compensation they need to get their lives back on track. He can leverage his extensive knowledge of personal injury case law, statutes, and procedures to help you fight for a fair settlement or trial verdict.
Do not hesitate to contact our office to schedule a free case assessment. During the consultation, bus accident lawyer Michael D. Waks can assess the merits of your case, discuss potential outcomes, and explain your role during proceedings. If you hire Michael D. Waks to handle your claim, you won’t owe any fees unless he achieves a successful outcome.
With more than three decades of experience representing personal injury victims, Michael D. Waks has the in-depth knowledge and resources needed to prevail during negotiations or trial. Contact us today at (888) 394-1174 to get started.