Bus Accidents in California and Your Rights
In October 2008, a bus accident occurred in Williams, California that killed eight people and wounded 35. Among the dead was the owner of the bus company, and among the wounded was the driver. The accident took place north of Sacramento and was on its way to a casino when it flipped over and rolled into a ditch along side a two-lane highway.
The driver of the vehicle was hospitalized and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. According to the California Highway Patrol, he had a valid commercial driver’s license, but was not certified to drive passengers in a chartered bus.
He had also been previously ticketed for speeding and other infractions and had lost his license for nearly two years.
When he recovered, do you think he turned to a lawyer? And what about the 35 other people wounded in the accident? What about their medical bills? And the victims, what legal avenues can their families pursue?
State and Federal law does not necessitate anyone to retain a lawyer. However, handling an accident claim like this one demands a very experienced individual with legal skills if it is to be done correctly. Attorneys that are knowledgeable in analyzing the legal technicalities of liability, understanding the loopholes of insurance policies, and settling claims should be consulted to obtain compensation from such a horrific accident. You should hire someone or some firm that deals with personal injury cases.
Most bus accident cases have a statute of limitation of two years. That means you can bring a case against the other party for up to two years after the fact. There are exceptions to this rule which you should inquire with an attorney.