Bus Accidents
Across the U.S., many individuals utilize public bus transportation on a daily basis to get around. Tourists also use tour buses and commercial vehicles to travel while on vacation. Even though public and private buses are considered some of the safest vehicles, it’s inevitable for some accidents to occur. In fact, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shared that in 2015, there were about 67,000 bus accidents.
At Live Oak Injury Law Group, we are dedicated to helping you resolve your personal injury claim with a maximum recovery at a reasonable cost. If you or a loved one has suffered major injuries as the result of a bus accident, speak with a skilled personal injury attorney today. To learn more, read below, and schedule a free consultation.
What Common Injuries Occur as the Result of a Bus Accident?
Because buses are so large, the injuries you can sustain as a result of a bus accident can be severe. These injuries are often life-long and can be fatal. Unfortunately, winning a bus accident personal injury claim can be difficult because of the complex legal factors at play. Often there are multiple parties at fault for a bus accident (and government entities are often involved), so determining negligence for all these parties is sometimes confusing. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common injuries people suffer from bus accidents:
- Severe spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Loss of a limb
- Paralysis
- Death
Injuries from bus accidents should not be taken lightly. The at fault party or parties for your injuries should be held accountable. Injuries can be costly on hospital with major injuries, and you should not have to suffer alone.
How Do I Prove My Bus Accident Injury Claim?
In order to prove your personal injury claim, you must be able to prove that any at fault party was negligent. This can look different based on the circumstances of your bus accident, but in general, there are several factors you must consider:
- Generally, a person’s obligation to take care of another is called Duty of Care. This means that you must prove that the other involved party had a legal obligation to you to act in a way that would not cause harm to you or your property.
- Under the law in California buses are called “common carriers” and they have a higher Duty of Care. CACI 902 states in part, “Common carriers must use the highest care and the vigilance of a very cautious person. They must do all that human care, vigilance, and foresight reasonably can do under the circumstances to avoid harm to passengers. While a common carrier does not guarantee the safety of its passengers it must use reasonable skill to provide everything necessary for safe transportation, in view of the transportation used and the practical operation of the business.”
- A breach of duty is the type of negligence that occurs when a person or entity fails to take reasonable measures to preserve a standard of care. This means that the other party had a Duty of Care, and they breached this duty by failing to act in a way that preserved your safety.
- Causation is critical to linking the breach of duty to your injury and the negligent conduct of the other party. In California, a plaintiff must show that the negligent party caused or was a substantial factor in causing the injury.
- Finally, the amount of damages that can be claimed by an injured person depends on the nature of the accident and its effects on the victim. You must be able to prove that your damages were a result or consequence of the other party failing to act.
In terms of a bus accident, negligence can come in the form of traffic violations, unsafe driving, driving while tired, poor vehicle maintenance, etc.
If You’ve Been Injured in a Bus Accident, Speak With a Personal Injury Attorney Today.
Bus accidents can cause severe injuries in many cases, and you should not be responsible for the consequences of an accident that was not your fault. At Live Oak Injury Law Group, we know how stressful and scary it can be to sustain a personal injury. We are committed to getting you the maximum recovery you are entitled to under the law. If you have suffered an injury as the result of a bus accident, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with a skilled personal injury attorney from Live Oak Injury Law Group.
