Can You Sue a Bus Company for a Driver’s Negligence?
Bus drivers are trusted individuals in our daily lives and are responsible for taking us around town safely. However, this trust can be violated when a bus driver makes a mistake. Bus driver negligence can negatively impact accident victims, leaving them grappling with serious issues that affect their well-being, including emotional distress, physical injuries, and property damage.
If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, you may wonder whether you need a bus accident lawyer and whether you can sue the bus company in pursuit of compensation. Understanding your legal options can help you determine how to hold the appropriate parties accountable.
What Constitutes Bus Driver Negligence?
The usual answer to “Can you sue a bus company for a driver’s negligence?” is yes; however, the process is far from simple. Because bus accidents happen so often, many state agencies and affiliated organizations produce relevant bus crash stats that can help you understand the nuances of these incidents. Who’s really responsible will vary based on the circumstances involved.
If the bus driver was working when the accident happened, the employer may be responsible; however, if the bus driver was not at work and caused the accident, you can sue the driver directly. Remember that if your accident resulted from a vehicle defect or ignored recall, you may also be able to sue the bus manufacturer.
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Examples of Individual Liability
Some common reasons for bus accidents include situations where the driver alone is held responsible. Examples of individual liability include:
- The driver is distracted: The driver may eat, speak to customers, or use a cell phone, which causes them not to pay attention while driving the bus. Distracted driving is a common cause of vehicle accidents.
- The driver is fatigued: The driver might operate a bus without adequate rest. This lack of self-care can create unsafe conditions and may lead to negligence.
- The driver acts erratically: The driver might display erratic behavior and not follow safety guidelines. These acts could include ignoring common traffic rules, such as failing to stop at stop signs, running red lights, and speeding.
- The driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs: Using illicit substances can cause the driver to take dangerous risks, ignoring weather, road conditions, and others sharing the roads.
Instances of Shared Responsibility
Another crucial point to note when proving negligence is the possibility of shared responsibility in an accident claim. Under the following circumstances, the company and the bus driver may be jointly responsible:
- Failing to regulate employee hours, which leads to driver fatigue
- Failing to screen drivers appropriately for drugs in their system and prior traffic violations
- Neglecting vehicle maintenance, resulting in mechanical failures
- Not providing drivers with the required training
It can be difficult to prove these situations without an experienced attorney who has previously handled similar cases.
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Using Traffic Accident Reports To Prove Negligence
No matter the reason for the accident, it’s paramount to know who to hold responsible. Following a bus accident, as the plaintiff in the case, you are required to file a traffic accident report under the following circumstances:
- You were injured.
- A death occurred as a result of the bus accident.
- You experienced property damage over a certain amount, depending on your state.
Your traffic accident report also consists of other information vital to your case, such as the accident details (date, location, and time), eyewitness contact information and statements, information about the bus company, information about the driver, images displaying the scene of the accident, and investigative notes from the claims adjuster.
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Why You Should Seek Compensation After a Bus Accident
Following a bus accident, you may incur expenses related to property damage or physical injury. As a victim, you have the right to pursue compensation for damages such as emotional and physical suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages.
Suing a bus company for negligence can be complex and difficult to manage alone. An advantage of hiring a law firm to help you with your claim is that in addition to properly identifying the responsible party, they will review the evidence holistically and consider every aspect of your case, including any lifelong effects.
Conditions Affecting Compensation
Several factors influence the amount of compensation you can expect to receive after a bus accident:
- If you’ve faced economic losses due to medical bills and time off work, an attorney can seek compensation for current and future lost wages.
- If your overall emotional, mental, and physical health has impacted your ability to live life as you did prior to your accident, you can be compensated.
- If you’ve suffered injuries, remember that the more severe the injury, the more likely you are to receive a substantial compensation amount. This is because medical bills are more expensive in these cases.
In any of the above instances, hiring a personal injury attorney can help you cover every aspect of your case to improve your chances of being fairly compensated. A knowledgeable attorney will help you establish liability by investigating the driver’s record and the company’s practices, ensuring fair compensation.
Take the Appropriate Legal Action Today
It is important to move forward as soon as possible after suffering property damage or personal injury in a bus accident. Remember that dealing with the aftermath of a bus accident due to negligence on the part of the bus driver, the driver’s employer, or the vehicle manufacturer can be complicated. Taking on this task alone is next to impossible.
Hiring appropriate legal representation for bus driver negligence to cover your losses will help you build your case, seek a fair outcome for your damages, and hold all appropriate parties responsible. Accident Hotline’s agents are on standby, waiting to assist you with your case 24/7. We offer free case evaluations and can connect you with an attorney skilled in bus accident cases. Don’t delay! Connect with an agent in under 30 seconds by filling out our online form or giving us a call at (844) 343-9609.
For a free consultation, call (844) 343-9609
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