Who Is Liable In A Bus Accident?
Every day, thousands of people across Nashville take the bus. School buses, city buses, and charter buses transport many to school, work, and around town. When a bus accident happens it can be a painful and confusing time for victims in the aftermath, and one of the most important questions that must be answered is who is liable for the injuries that occurred? At Mitch Grissim & Associates, our experienced Nashville personal injury attorneys are here to help. Call the office or contact us today to schedule a free consultation of your case.
The Bus Driver
The bus driver is often a liable party in a bus accident. Because the driver is controlling the vehicle at the time of the accident, it is often their negligent or reckless actions that lead to a crash. Common causes of bus driver liability include falling asleep at the wheel, distracted driving, speeding, failing to obey traffic signs and signals, and driving under the influence. However, there may be other entities in addition to a driver that may share fault in a bus crash.
The Bus Company
The company that owns the bus involved in an accident may also be liable when a crash occurs. If the company was responsible for hiring an inexperienced or bad driver who caused the accident the company may share in liability. They may also be responsible for a crash if the accident was caused by a failure in the vehicle’s mechanics because the company failed to inspect and maintain their buses properly.
The Bus Manufacturer
If the bus accident was caused by a defect in an important component of the vehicle, the bus manufacturer may be held responsible for any accidents or injuries that result. Defects in buses can either be design or manufacturing defects, with design defects occurring the in idea conception of a bus part, and a manufacturing defect occurring in the creation of the part on the factory line. When the cause of the accident can be traced back to a defective component in the bus, the manufacturer can be held liable for a victim’s injuries.
Third-Party Liability
Finally, third-party liability may also factor into bus accident liability. If the bus owner contracted elements of the operation to a third-party, they may share in the responsibility for an accident. Common examples include using third parties for hiring bus drivers and other staff as well as utilizing third parties for maintenance and upkeep of the vehicles. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help determine who is responsible for a bus accident and get you the compensation that you deserve.
Talk to Our Office Today
Are you interested in speaking with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer about your case after a bus accident in the Nashville area? If so, the experienced lawyers at Mitch Grissim & Associates are here to help after a bus crash. Call the office or contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
