Nashville Party Bus Accidents
The hospitality industry has many methods for entertaining customers, and one of those methods is entertainment vehicles. This mode of transportation is much more about the experience than the actual destination, though some will perform both functions simultaneously.
A popular form of entertainment that took center stage in the news cycles in Tennessee and especially Nashville this past year was the topic of party buses. These vehicles serve several functions, including a nightclub on wheels, transportation to and from events like weddings, and fun Nashville tourist excursions.
Recent Controversies Surrounding Party Buses
In the state of Tennessee, particularly the city of Nashville, party buses have become a hot topic in the last year as city officials and bus operators and companies went back and forth about regulations that were being put in place. There was a lot of concern about Nashville’s reputation regarding the operation of these vehicles, and public safety was a large part of the discussion.
Unregulated Rolling Parties
Some of the meaningful measures that were discussed centered around the concept that a party bus is an unregulated party, and can therefore cause problems with noise and obscenities being shouted from the vehicle. The behavior surrounding entertainment vehicles made for a fun time for customers, but not for other people nearby. Loud music and sometimes unruly customers affected public safety and often led to police involvement.
Enclosed Vs Unenclosed Party Vehicles
One of the main issues surrounding these entertainment vehicles is whether they are enclosed or not. Recent local legislation in Nashville made party bus operators openly concerned about the safety of their customers. The issue was that the city placed more restrictions on operating a roofless party bus or allowing windows to be opened. The reason was to help buses follow the noise ordinance in the city, but operators are concerned about the lack of fresh air and ventilation.
Beer Permits
The consumption of alcohol in these vehicles is also discussed, with the state of Tennessee enforcing new restrictions on whether or not open containers of alcohol can be allowed for both enclosed and unenclosed vehicles. To allow these containers, the bus must have an alcohol permit, and even then there are additional regulations to follow.
Hours of Operation
New restrictions are also being placed on when party buses and other similar vehicles can operate. Nashville officials determined that their operating hours should be limited during certain times like rush hour from 4 PM to 6 PM. This has caused further controversy with operators and entertainment companies who are concerned about losing money and potential customers.
What to do if You Get Hurt on a Party Bus or in an Accident
Since buses are much larger than the typical vehicle, a collision with one can pose huge risks to you and may lead to serious injuries, both for other vehicles and bus customers. Maybe you fell and got injured while riding the bus. If that is the case, then there are a few steps that you need to follow.
Seek Medical Attention
Though you may receive medical treatment at the scene of the incident if you have injuries, there could be internal damage that is unseen at the time of the collision. You could have a traumatic brain injury, spinal issue, or even internal bleeding where you don’t feel a thing at the moment.
For this reason, you should schedule a check-up as quickly as possible to get a full assessment from a medical professional. They can screen you for internal injuries and make sure that there are not any hidden side effects from the incident.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
After any type of accident, you need to contact your insurance company. They will tell you what information you need to collect from the crash scene and will help guide you through the aftermath regarding insurance claims. Make sure that you remember this important step after an accident involving a bus.
Find Legal Representation
To protect your financial interests after a party bus incident, particularly if it was not your fault, hiring a personal injury lawyer could be the smartest move you will make. They can help you file a claim against the negligent party, in this case, the bus driver, to recover compensation for any damages that affected you.
How a Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help
When you work with a lawyer in the aftermath of a bus accident, or any type of vehicle accident for that matter, there are several things that they can help you with involving your case.
Assess Damages
Damages after a bus accident could include medical bills for life-threatening injuries such as a spinal or head issue, lost wages due to missed time at work, vehicle repair costs, or emotional distress. An attorney can help calculate the level of settlement that you deserve from the bus operator’s insurance company or the entertainment entity that owns the vehicle.
Pursue Compensation
Recovering these losses is an important aspect of a bus accident claim, but it all comes down to proving liability. You must be able to compile enough evidence to implicate the other driver’s negligence that led to the accident. Lawyers know what type of data will strengthen your case and give you a better chance of winning.
Contact Mitch Grissim & Associates
Though many new regulations are being put in place to control party bus activities, they can still present a danger to other vehicles and cause accidents with all of the activity on-board being potentially distracting to the driver. When you are involved in a bus accident, Mitch Grissim & Associates can help you file your claim.
Our firm handles many personal injury cases, from car crashes to slip and fall accidents to medical malpractice. We would love to guide you through the claims process so that you can earn the compensation you deserve.
Call Us Today
If you are injured on or by a party bus, give us an immediate call at 615-255-9999 for a free consultation about your claim and we will discuss how you can proceed.
