A bus accident can happen to anyone. There are different kinds of buses on the road, which means there is the potential for danger at every turn. Whether you are a passenger, motorist, or pedestrian, you have the right to obtain compensation for your injuries.
Evidence is fleeting, and you cannot get it back once it is gone. It is essential to speak with an Olive Branch bus accident lawyer from Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi PLC to file a truck accident claim as quickly as possible.
Common Carrier Laws
A particular set of laws apply to buses in Olive Branch. Any vehicle that the general public uses for a fee falls under common carrier laws. These vehicles’ owners and operators will need special licensing to operate in the state.
The common carrier law also holds bus drivers to a higher standard of care than other drivers on the road. While every driver on the road owes others a duty of care, bus drivers must go above this presumed duty of care to ensure the safety of those on their bus and the road. Since they have a higher responsibility when acting negligently, they must be held liable for the devastation they have caused.
A bus accident lawyer in Olive Branch will work to hold them accountable for their actions.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accidents lawyer serving Olive Branch, call (901) 526-2126
Buses Have Unique Challenges
Buses differ from other motor vehicles on the road; some of these differences are good and others not. Some unique challenges buses have are:
- They take longer to start and stop.
- They have the potential to roll over in a collision
- Buses are much larger than other vehicles, which leads to catastrophe in accidents
- Multiple parties own and operate buses making liability complex.
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Causes of Bus Accidents
There are many ways a bus accident can happen, whether it be the driver or the city responsible for the damage. Contributing factors to bus accidents include:
Drugs and Alcohol
Drugs and alcohol will impair a driver. While motor vehicle accidents involve serious injuries when a driver is under the influence, it is amplified when it is a bus. These vehicles are much larger, and the slightest impairment leads to a mass casualty event.
Traveling at Excessive Speeds
It is dangerous for any vehicle to go at an excessive speed, but when it is a large vehicle like a bus, the dangers are much worse. Speeding can cause a bus to roll over, especially when making a turn. Larger vehicles need additional time and space to stop.
Driver Fatigue
There are restrictions regarding how long a bus driver can be on the road. They cannot drive more than the designated hours and must have rest breaks and a specific period in between shifts. Bus drivers and their employers do not always follow these regulations, which leads to driver fatigue.
They may even alter log books to make it seem as though they are following these rules when they are not.
Lack of Maintenance
All vehicles must keep up with regular maintenance, which extends to buses. The tires must be full, rotated, or replaced when necessary so that a tire blowout does not happen. They have industrial braking systems that trucking companies must adequately maintain to avoid accidents.
Abrupt or Improper Lane Changes
A bus will have many more blind spots than smaller vehicles. When a bus is going to change lanes, it is perilous. If they change lanes or merge while a car or pedestrian is in their blind spot, an accident will happen.
The accident will likely lead to a fatality.
Door Closures
When a bus driver is distracted or on a tight schedule, they can close the door on a person getting onto the bus. Their legs will become trapped and dragged until the bus driver stops the bus again and opens the door. This scenario is not far-fetched and is the direct cause of negligence.
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Common Injuries from Olive Branch Bus Accidents
Since buses are relatively more prominent than other vehicles on the road and sit up much higher off the ground, the passengers will likely not sustain serious injury. The potential for harm is there even if you are a passenger on a bus. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for other victims of bus accidents who will suffer catastrophic injuries.
Some common bus accident injuries include:
- Compound leg and arm fractures
- Whiplash
- Smoke inhalation
- Brain death
- Dislocated bones
- Paralysis
- Diffuse Axonal Injury
- Road rash
- Contusions
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Possible Liable Parties in a Bus Crash
Liability can become very convoluted depending on who owns and drives the bus. Who you were in relation to the bus will also play a role in determining liability. Since there are different kinds of buses ranging from school buses, tourist buses, and commercial company buses, liability can fall on various parties.
Some parties who can be responsible for your accident are:
- Bus drivers
- Bus driver’s employer
- The bus owner
- Parts manufacturer
Other parties can cause an accident, from an unruly passenger to another driver. There are also secondary incidents that can cause you to suffer injury. Since bus accidents involve different parties, your lawyer must move quickly to collect evidence and hold them responsible.
There are also policy provisions and limits to consider regarding compensation.
Government-Run Buses
Some buses are government-owned and operated, which means the government municipality in charge of the bus is the party who must be held liable for your accident. Government entities will have sovereign immunity, which makes matters very complex. Under this immunity clause, victims cannot file a claim unless the government entity allows them to.
These claims are particularly challenging but not impossible. The deadlines to file a claim are shorter, and you will need an attorney by your side through every step of the process for a successful claim.
Call an Olive Branch Bus Accident Attorney Immediately
You need to act quickly when you are involved in a bus accident. You should enlist the help of a bus accident attorney in Olive Branch to discuss your case and legal options. Use our online form to schedule an initial consultation.
Call or text (901) 526-2126 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form