Who Is Liable for Injuries in AZ Public Bus Accidents?

People have been using public transportation including buses in increasing numbers recently, and there are many reasons for this phenomenon. Not only does this form of transportation tend to save on fuel costs, but it also eliminates the need to take on the responsibility and risks of driving a private vehicle. Unfortunately, Arizona bus accidents do occur, and when they do, those who have been injured often are not sure who should be held accountable. While every specific situation like this one should be reviewed by an experienced Phoenix bus accident attorney, below is a brief look at the possibilities regarding potential liability in the aftermath of a bus accident.

Arizona Bus Accident Injury Liability of The Other Driver

One potential defendant in a Phoenix personal injury lawsuit that follows a bus accident would be similar to many other post-car accident lawsuits – the driver of the other vehicle. If a bus gets into an accident where the driver of another vehicle is negligent and this negligence was the reason that people were injured, the legal procedure that follows would be much like any other accident case that involved two private vehicles. The only potential difference would be that those responsible for the safety of the bus passengers could be named as defendants due to a lack of safety restraints and that there could be multiple plaintiffs if several people on the bus suffered injuries.

AZ Municipality Public Transit Bus Accident Liability

The other potential defendant in an Arizona bus accident lawsuit could be the municipality that owns and manages the bus line. When these situations arise, they involve additional steps that must be taken with the governmental entity that’s responsible for the safety of the bus passengers before a legal claim can proceed. One such additional step involves filing a Notice of Claim with that municipality that lays out the amount of damages sought and requests a settlement from that governmental entity. If that entity denies the request, then the lawsuit can proceed like any other. However, this step must be taken before a matter can proceed in court.

Of course, there are also situations where other, even multiple defendants should be named to such a lawsuit. Regardless of the specifics, if you or someone you love has been harmed in this type of collision, contact the Phoenix personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Group today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Phillips Law Group – Ph: 1-800-706-3000 .