Bus Accident Law
Bus Accident Law falls under common carrier law, because buses offer transportation services to people as part of a business. A common carrier is an individual or business that transports people, goods, or services for a fee, and offers its services to the general public under license or authority provided by a regulatory governmental body. Common carriers can be private companies or public entities. These laws are regulated on the local, state and federal level. The Federal government regulates common carriers that transport passengers or cargo across state lines under the Interstate Commerce Act, and individual states regulate travel within a state.
Other modes of transportation that fall under the category of common carrier include school buses, taxis, trains, light-rail, trolleys, cable cars, tour boats, cruise ships, ferries, airplanes, airport shuttles, and, in some states, limousines.
Common carriers have a legal responsibility to show a higher duty of care since they offer their services to the public for a fee. While non-commercial drivers must operate under reasonable care, a common carrier must use the highest degree of care and vigilance for the safety of its passengers, and the public. Failure to adhere to that higher duty of care can be considered negligence. Therefore, if you are a bus passenger and injured as the result of an accident, special rules apply.
If a bus accident is due to the negligence of the carrier; such as speeding, fatigue, maintenance failures, tire failures, or inadequate bus driver training; the carrier is liable for damages under personal injury or wrongful death tort law. When minor children, ill or disabled persons are injured as passengers on a bus, special rules may apply as well.
It is important to note that because many common carriers are governmental agencies, usually very specific and limited time frames apply for filing a claim for these types of cases. This time period is called a statute of limitations. In addition, with governmental entities, there may also be special notices that must be filed within a certain time period before filing a legal claim. Therefore, it is advisable if you or a family member has been injured due to a bus accident, that you consult with an attorney experienced in common carrier law.
To consult Transportation laws and regulations in your State visit our Department of Transportation by State page.
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Bus Accident? Know Your Rights!
- Guide to Bus Accident and the Law
Have you been injured in a bus accident? Bus accidents happen because of driver error, weather, bus company negligence, another driver's negligence, or equipment failure. The bus may be privately or publicly owned. How do these different factors affect who is at fault, and how do you file a claim? Find out more, and learn how a lawyer can help you.
- Injured on a Bus - Do I Have a Case?
There are a multitude of factors which can contribute to the cause of a bus accident. Because of this, it can be difficult to know who is at fault and if you have a case. Learn more about how to report bus accidents and what your legal options are after an injury.
- Private Bus Accidents and the Law
Who pays when a passenger is injured in a private bus accident? Learn what to do after a private bus accident, who is legally responsible, and who you may be able to receive compensation from.
- Public Bus Accidents and the Law
If you've been hurt in an accident involving a government owned bus, you may be able to receive compensation. Depending on the government agency, there may be a statute of limitations for filing your claim.
- What to Do if You Are in a Bus Accident
Whenever you step onto a bus, whether a city bus, a tour bus, a shuttle, a school bus, etc., you are entrusting your safety to the bus driver and the owner of the bus. For some reason, we feel safe and secure on a bus; so much so that many buses do not have or require seat belts. But even when in a bus, accidents do happen.
Bus Accident Law Articles
- What Is the Difference Between Pre-Lit and Litigation for Personal Injury Claims?Let’s talk about the difference between these two terms. “Pre-lit” is all of the time in your claim before a lawsuit is filed. When I initially open a claim with the insurance company for a client, we have not sued them. I have not filed a lawsuit with the Court, served the Defendant with paperwork, etc. All we have done is open a claim.
- Steps to Take After an Indiana Bus AccidentThousands of bus accidents occur every year, resulting in severe injuries and even fatalities. The exact numbers are hard to determine, as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration combines large trucks and large buses when reporting these statistics — but in 2020, they reported 4,998 fatal large truck and bus accidents. The number of truck and bus accidents involving injuries that weren’t necessarily fatal is even higher at 108,000. Even if some of these numbers involve trucks, the overall total is quite high, which indicates that bus accidents are quite common and can result in severe and fatal injuries. And the reason for so many bus accidents is likely because there are many different kinds of buses on the roads every day.
- Can a Black Box Car Device Help Prove Fault After an Indiana Accident?Most people have heard of black boxes when referring to airplanes, but it is a little-known fact that motor vehicles can have these devices as well. And when an accident occurs, the data recorded by a vehicle’s black box could potentially help when determining fault.
- What to Do After a Car AccidentIn the aftermath of a traumatic car accident, it can be difficult to know how to respond. The shock of the impact, pain from injuries, and stress of dealing with the car and insurance companies can be overwhelming. However, there are certain steps that you should take to ensure that you are protected both physically and legally.
- Public Transportation Accidents in Sebring, FloridaAs a popular business and vacation destination, Sebring offers a variety of public transit options, including local and national buses, trains, community transport for those with disabilities, and a trolley system. The Sebring Transportation Department oversees public transit in Sebring and is responsible for providing an efficient, convenient, and accessible local transportation network.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder After a Car AccidentA person involved in a serious car accident can have harms and losses that go beyond what is immediately observable. After the vehicle is replaced, the fractures heal, and physical therapy is complete, the psychological harms that people cannot physically see sometimes remain. Car-accident related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is estimated to effect 2.5 to 7 million people in the United States. Being involved in a serious car accident increases your risk for psychological issues, including the risk of experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This blog discusses Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the context of car accidents.
- The Dilemma Caused by Hidded Injuries Due to AccidentsIt is important to know that some injuries from an accident are not immediately felt because they have delayed symptoms. This article explains some of the more common injury symptoms to be aware of after being involved in a personal injury accident.
- How to Help Your Teen Handle a Car AccidentCar accidents are every parent’s worst nightmare, and for good reason. Studies show that teen drivers face much higher rates of serious crashes than adults. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), seven teenagers are killed in a car accidents almost every day. While the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that the majority of fatal accidents involved twice as many men in comparison to women. So, it’s no wonder you feel a flurry of emotions and overwhelming panic when you think of your teenager getting into an accident. Though the realities of teen driving can be concerning, there are things you can discuss with your teen beforehand to keep them safe. Here are the most important steps teenagers should take if they get into a car accident.
- How Many Fatalities Happened in Oklahoma From Vehicle Crashes in 2020?The major industries in Oklahoma - oil and agriculture - rely on road transportation to move their products out of the state and around the country. Although Oklahoma can’t compete with the populations of California and New York, the Sooner State is not far behind in centerline highway miles, ranking 17th in the country. Unfortunately, Oklahoma’s vast and busy highway network means that vehicle crashes are a frequent occurrence, sometimes with deadly consequences.
- A Broken Collarbone May Leave You With 4 Serious ComplicationsWearing a seat belt is one of the more effective ways to stay safe in a motor vehicle. After all, in 2017 alone, nearly half of individuals who died in car crashes were not wearing seat belts. Even though your car’s seat belt may keep you from dying in a traffic accident, it may also cause your collarbone to break.
- All Motor Vehicles Law Articles
Articles written by attorneys and experts worldwide discussing legal aspects related to Motor Vehicles Law including: auto dealer fraud, automobile accidents, automotive, bus accidents, lemon law, motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accident, railroad accidents, rollover accident, traffic violations, trucking accident.
