If you were a passenger on a bus that was involved in an accident, and you or a loved one suffered injuries as a result, you may be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit to compensate you for your damages, pain, and suffering.
Although bus crashes are not as common as other types of vehicle crashes, the results can be devastating. For example, in 2020 a commercial tour bus crashed on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, killing five and injuring all sixty-one other passengers on board. According to 2018 statistics, there were over 900 bus crashes in Pennsylvania, approximately 300 of which were school bus crashes.
How are Bus Accidents Different from Car Accidents?
There are a number of ways that bus crashes differ from other types of vehicle crashes, which can make them more complex to litigate. For this reason, if you have been injured in a bus crash, it is always advisable to speak to an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorney.
- Potentially more liable parties. In a standard car accident, most suits are between you and the other driver. However, if you are injured as a passenger on a bus, there may be a number of parties liable for the crash. For instance, if the bus driver was distracted, driving too fast, or acting otherwise negligently, they will be a party to your suit. However, it’s rare that only one driver is at fault in an accident. If another driver or drivers also contributed to the crash, they can also be parties to your suit. Additionally, the bus driver’s employer may be responsible via the doctrine of respondeat superior. Finally, the manufacturer of the bus of any of its component parts may also be liable if any malfunctions or product liability issues contributed to the crash.
- Bus drivers owe a higher standard of care. Bus drivers are designated as common carriers under Pennsylvania law. Common carriers have a higher standard of care for passengers than regular motor vehicle drivers do. This means that it can be easier to establish negligence in a bus accident than in a car accident, as the threshold for negligence is lower and the standard of care expected is higher.
- No seat belts. Unlike standard passenger vehicles, busses are not equipped with seat belts. This means the injuries experienced in bus accidents can be different than in car accidents. Common bus accidents include traumatic brain injuries, sprained and broken bones, and spinal cord injuries. However, less severe injuries, like whiplash, are common as well.
Contact a Pennsylvania Personal Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one have been injured in a Pennsylvania bus accident, it’s important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. A personal injury attorney will review the specifics of your case, and determine the best possible course of action to get you the compensation you deserve. A successful personal injury lawsuit will reimburse you for all expenses related to the accident, as well as compensate you for all anticipated future expenses, and pain and suffering. You don’t have to shoulder this burden alone. Schedule a free initial consultation with the personal injury attorneys at the O’Donnell Law Offices serving clients in Kingston, Wilkes Barre, Hazleton and Pittston at 570-821-5717 or online today. There is no fee or costs until we win your case.
Resource:
enjuris.com/pennsylvania/car-accident/bus-accidents.html