Any bus accident victim may qualify for a mass transit injury settlement loan. If you or a loved one in Los Angeles has been injured in a city bus crash, legal funding can help you deal with the financial hardship caused by the accident.
Los Angeles has a large mass transit system with nearly 1,900 buses (as of 2023).1 Unfortunately, this means there are numerous injuries to bus passengers, other motor vehicle occupants, and pedestrians every year. These injuries are often severe. They can require years of recovery and often leave victims permanently disabled.
Obtaining large settlements to cover long-term expenses is possible. However, it takes time and patience when you need cash now. To ensure you can afford to pursue fair compensation, a mass transit injury settlement loan can help you get by.
Common Injuries Caused by Bus Accidents
Buses are much larger and heavier than cars. Bus passengers, other vehicle occupants, pedestrians, cyclists, and other victims of accidents involving buses are at risk of injuries such as:
- Cuts and Lacerations: Poles and benches inside a bus, plus items people are carrying with them, can cause cuts and lacerations. Glass from broken windows can harm people inside and outside the bus. Cuts and lacerations range in severity; some heal on their own or require stitches. Others cause tissue damage, severe blood loss, and permanent scarring.
- Broken Bones: Falls inside the bus or impacts to passenger vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists can cause complex, major fractures that require surgeries and time to heal. Severe bone damage can lead to a permanent disability and limited range of motion.
- Internal Organ Damage/Bleeding: Individuals struck by a bus are susceptible to internal injuries such as lung, liver, and kidney damage. Internal hemorrhaging is also common and can lead to a person bleeding to death.
- Head, Neck, and Spinal Cord Injuries: Sudden stops and impacts with objects, people, and other vehicles can cause concussions, broken bones in the neck or back, or paralysis. Traumatic brain injuries can also occur. Such injuries are often fatal or lead to a person requiring lifelong care.
- Emotional/Psychological Injuries: Injuries from bus accidents can also be emotionally traumatic. Psychological harm can take the form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It can be severely debilitating and require years of treatment to help improve the victim’s quality of life.
Causes of Bus Accidents
The amount of public transportation injury funding you receive can be determined by the nature of your injuries. It can also be influenced by the cause of the accident. These are some of the most common causes of bus accidents:
- Speeding: Bus drivers are often under pressure to avoid delays. Driving faster to stay on schedule increases the risk of an accident.
- Distracted Driving: If a driver checks their cell phone while operating the bus, they could fail to see a vehicle or pedestrian ahead. Distractions from unruly passengers can also occur, causing the driver to lose concentration. Distracted driving can be the focus of a case qualifying a victim for school bus accident settlement loans.
- Driving Under the Influence: Taking drugs or drinking alcohol before a work shift can lead to negligent behavior and operator errors. Bus drivers must meet strict guidelines, including taking drug and alcohol tests. Violators can face severe consequences, but these don’t protect those injured when an impaired driver causes an accident.
- Mechanical Defects: If defective brakes, tires, or other components contribute to a bus accident, the bus company or the manufacturer of parts or the bus may be liable to pay damages.
- Road Hazards: Accidents sometimes occur in bad weather. However, broken or uneven pavement, potholes, equipment from road crews, or a failure to place warning signs can cause accidents, in which case a construction company or a city/county/state agency may be to blame. Public bus accident lawsuits often involve claims against the government, which can be challenging.
Why You Need a Settlement Loan When Suing a Public Bus Company?
Some state governments are immune to many types of lawsuits. California has waived sovereign immunity, especially when employee negligence is involved. You can file a claim against a state or local government operating the bus line within two years of the accident. If the claim involves a wrongful death, it must be filed within six months.
The legal system provides the right to pursue claims against mass transit companies. However, navigating an insurance claim can be tough. Bus accident victims often deal with low settlement offers, as companies aim to settle quickly and pay as little as possible. But with patience and determination, you can seek higher compensation for medical bills, loss of income, and other damages.
How Do I Get Legal Funding?
You may be eligible for a mass transit injury settlement loan and not even know it. The criteria for eligibility are rather simple. You must be:
- A bus passenger injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault or,
- A bus driver who was injured but not at fault for the accident or,
- A driver of another vehicle, passenger, or pedestrian harmed by the bus
A non-recourse injury settlement loan can cover your medical bills, rent, legal costs, and daily expenses while your case is pending. Unlike a traditional loan, there are no upfront costs, and you don’t make regular payments. Only the merit of your case (not your credit or employment status) is a factor in accepting your application.
Apply for a Mass Transit Injury Settlement Loan Today
Fund Capital America offers a fast and simple process for applying for bus accident pre-settlement funding. Once we receive your application, we’ll speak to your attorney and make a decision within 24 hours. Repayment plans are term-based and based on the length of your recovery time. Legal funding is risk-free. You won’t owe anything back if your case doesn’t win. To obtain city bus crash legal funding, apply now or call (855) 870-2274.
