For many different reasons, people in Arizona use buses for transportation. This includes school buses, city transit buses and of course charter buses that are obtained by groups of people who are all traveling to the same destination. While this mode of transportation is generally safe, Arizona bus accidents can and do occur, and when they do they can lead to serious injuries, multiple fatalities and the immediate need for help from experienced Phoenix bus accident injury lawyers. Below is a brief look at common causes of these crashes and how liability could attach to those responsible for the harm that is caused.
Injuries in Arizona Bus Accidents – Who is Liable?
As stated above, Arizona bus accidents occur often, and statistics show that every year, approximately 1,500 such crashes take place. These collisions include more than 300 that lead to at least one injury and almost one Arizona bus accident per month that leads to at least one fatality. As is the case with any other type of Arizona traffic accident, there are causes for these incidents that tend to be more common than others. Below are a few examples of these common causes:
- Driver inattention – Driver inattention is one of the leading causes for any type of traffic accident, and when it comes to bus crashes, this can involve a lack of focus by either the bus driver or the driver of another vehicle.
- Speeding – Speeding is also a common cause of bus accidents, and when a bus driver is moving at a rate of speed that’s too high, the situation becomes extremely dangerous because these vehicles are not built for speed.
- Rollover crashes – Unfortunately, buses are built with a relatively narrow wheel base and can be extremely top-heavy, especially when they are filled with cargo and passengers. When a bus spins out of control for any reason, it has a troubling tendency to roll over.
Given the lack of safety devices in most buses, any of these accidents can lead to serious harm to unsuspecting passengers.
Lawsuits and Attorneys for Phoenix Bus Crashes
When an Arizona bus accident occurs, there are several ways in which legal liability can attach to those who are responsible for the crash. Below is a brief breakdown of potential defendants in an Arizona personal injury lawsuit that results from a bus accident:
- The bus driver – Clearly, if the bus driver was negligent in causing an accident, he or she could be named as a defendant in any lawsuit that’s filed as a result.
- The other driver – Much like any other Arizona traffic accident, it’s possible that the other driver in a crash could be on the receiving end of a lawsuit that’s filed if he or she caused the collision.
- The bus management – Most of the time when a bus accident occurs, the entity that’s responsible for the management of the bus as part of an overall fleet will be named as a defendant. This can involve a private busing company or even a municipality if the accident involved a city bus or a school bus.
How Phoenix AZ Bus Accident Lawyers Can Help
Generally speaking, holding those responsible for an Arizona bus accident properly accountable can be a complicated scenario. Therefore, those who have been harmed in this manner need to focus on their recovery and allow experienced Phoenix bus accident lawsuit attorneys to protect and enforce their legal rights for them. If this has happened to you or someone you love, contact a Phoenix injury attorney from the Phillips Law Group today to schedule a free initial consultation.
Ph: 602-222-2222
People use buses for transportation with increasing frequency, and there are many different types of buses that residents of Arizona use regularly. School buses take children to and from school every day, city buses provide an option for an easier commute for some, and private charter buses allow people to travel in groups.
Most people assume that traveling by bus is extremely safe. Generally, busing is safe, but bus accidents do occur in Arizona. If this has happened to you or someone you love, you should seek the help of aqualified Phoenix personal injury lawyer. In the meantime, below is a look at the different parties who could be liable for medical expenses incurred by someone who has been wrongfully injured in a bus accident.
The Private Bus Company
If someone is injured in a private or charter bus accident, the company that owns the bus could be liable for damages incurred. This is because the company is responsible for maintaining a safe vehicle that’s properly maintained and is also responsible for hiring drivers who have a strong driving record and a positive working history. If any of these steps are missed by the bus company, then it would likely face legal actions from anyone who has been injured in the accident that occurred.
The Bus Driver
Clearly, there are bus accidents that occur because of the negligence of the bus driver. When this occurs, the bus driver would also be named as a defendant in a lawsuit, and if he or she is found liable, the bus driver could be responsible for the medical expenses incurred by the passengers. Of course, these payments will likely originate from the relevant insurance company, much like with the bus company, but any additional costs could pass to the individual who is found negligent.
The Public Entity
If people are injured in a bus accident that involved a city bus or a school bus, the public entity that owns the vehicle could also be responsible for medical expenses if it’s found liable for negligence. These public entities could include the municipality if the bus accident involved a city bus, the school board or school district if the bus accident led to injuries to passengers in a school bus or any other entity that’s technically responsible for maintaining safe vehicles and for hiring responsible drivers.
The Other Driver
If the bus accident that occurred was the result of the negligence of the other vehicle in the accident, the passengers in the bus who have suffered injuries and incurred medical expenses as a result would likely pursue the other driver in a legal action for damages. If the other driver is in fact found negligent in court, then he or she would be responsible for the medical expenses incurred by those wrongfully injured.
Overall, seeking compensation for damages as a result of a bus accident in Arizona can be complicated. Instead of attempting to deal with this situation by yourself, contact the Arizona bus accident lawyers at the law firm of Phillips Law Group today to schedule a free initial consultation.
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