Bus accidents are often among the most devastating personal injury accidents in large part due to the number of people involved and potentially injured as a result. Recently, a horrific tour bus crash killed 13 and injured 7 in the San Luis Obispo area of California. The crash made national news due to the significance of the crash and the number of people killed and injured.
This past weekend, a bus accident occurred in Las Vegas, NV near the Strip as a car crashed directly into a bus carrying multiple passengers. Although no deaths have been reported, there have been various injuries reported.
Who is liable in a bus accident?
When someone hurt or killed in a bus accident, it is imperative that the passengers understand their legal rights for recovering compensation. The attorneys at The Injury Firm have over a decade of experience in personal injury law, including bus accidents, as well as the skill required to conduct a thorough investigation and analysis into the legal issues of the case.
If the bus driver is not at fault
If a bus has been struck by another vehicle who failed to obey the rules of the road, liability would be placed on the negligent driver. The at-fault driver’s insurance company would be responsible for paying out any damages related to the accident. So, to file an injury claim, your attorney would negotiate a settlement directly with the negligent driver’s insurance company.
If the bus driver is at fault
In the vast majority of bus accidents where the bus driver is at fault, the owner of the bus is considered the liable party. Usually, the driver is only an employee of a bus company, which would deem the bus company liable pursuant to the legal doctrine of respondent superior, which basically means that a company or entity is responsible for the negligent actions of its agents or employees. In other words, if a bus driver is responsible for an accident, the bus company would be liable for the injuries of its passengers and any other drivers involved in the crash.
Contact a bus accident attorney to discover your options for recovery
If you or a loved one have been injured in a bus crash and have questions regarding the personal injury claims process, please do not hesitate to contact Attorney, Brian Boyer of The Injury Firm for a free and confidential case review. Call (702) 800-0988. He is available 24/7 to take your call!
