Bus accidents can be serious or even fatal. There are many different factors that contribute to bus accidents, and most of them involve negligence.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, thousands of people are injured or killed in bus accidents in Washington and throughout the country each year.
Bus driver or bus company negligence
Bus drivers have a duty to drive their buses in a safe manner. As with any other drivers, bus drivers can engage in behavior that increases the chance of an accident, such as distracted driving, drowsy driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding or failing to obey other traffic laws.
Another common cause of bus accidents involves the bus itself. Bus companies are required to keep buses properly maintained and fix any known problems. Since driving a bus requires driving skills above and beyond those of a regular driver, they must also provide bus drivers with proper training and reasonable working hours, to reduce fatigue.
Bus designer or manufacturer negligence
Bus defects are another typical factor in many bus accidents. Defective parts can increase the chance of an accident, and the company that designed or manufactured the bus could be at fault.
When you are injured in a bus accident, you can file a personal injury claim for negligence, but it is important to know who to bring the claim against.
Your claim could be against the bus driver, the bus company or the bus designer or manufacturer. You won’t know who the responsible party is without all the facts.
Establishing negligence
Bus accident injuries are often major, due to the large size and heavy weight of the bus. Successfully proving negligence can help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
A personal injury attorney can evaluate your situation and help you gather evidence. From there, they can bring a claim against the appropriate party and help you build your case for negligence.