In Southern California, particularly in and around the Los Angeles area, people love their cars. However, there is an ever growing population who uses public transportation, including buses. How does the law protect those who get injured in bus accidents? What information does an injured passenger need to know?
A common carrier is a designation given to an individual, a company, or a public utility (such as municipal and city buses) who is in the regular business of transporting people. Examples of common carriers include buses, trains, taxis, and airplanes. In Southern California alone, one can name numerous entities that can be labeled as common carriers, including, but not limited to:
• Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LAMTA);
• Metrolink;
• Dash buses;
• (City of) Santa Clarita Transit;
• Greyhound;
• Antelope Valley School Transportation Agency;
• Laidlaw;
• Glendale Bee Line;
• Santa Monica’ Big Blue Bus;
• San Gabriel Transit;
• Pasadena Area Rapid Transit System (ARTS);
• Riverside Transit Agency;
• Culver City Bus; and
• Amtrak.
Under California law, common carriers such as buses have to use the utmost care and diligence of a very cautious person when transporting passengers. Often times, common carriers such as bus companies hire an outside company to their buses. Hence, the bus company may own the bus, but the bus is operated by another party such as First Transit, MV Transportation, or Veolia Transportation.
Accidents and injuries involving common carriers, particularly resulting from bus accidents, are very common. Sometimes, a bus takes off or stops abruptly and unexpectedly, causing a passenger to fall. The bus may get into an accident with another vehicle or swerve to avoid an accident with another vehicles. Additionally, passengers sometimes get injured when the bus driver closes the bus doors on an entering or exiting passenger.
Injuries from a bus accident can be very serious. A passenger may suffer whiplash, neck pain, back pain, broken bones, and cuts and bruises. An injured passenger also has to be cognizant of the fact that a claim form may have to be submitted within six months from the date of the accident.
If you are involved in a bus accident, it is very important to get the name of the bus driver (write down his/her description), badge number, and route number. Further, write down the exact location, date and time of the accident. Further, look for witnesses and get their information. Finally, check to see if the bus has cameras inside the bus that could have captured the incident.
Following the accident, you need to obtain a claim form (if applicable) and submit it within six months from the date of the accident. However, be aware that if you fail to submit the required claim form within six months, it may not necessarily mean that you have no other options. Needless to say, you should always consult with a professional regarding your claim.
