Who’s Liable in a Bus Accident? A Closer Look at the Parties Who Could Be at Fault

When there is an accident involving a bus, it is very often due to someone else being irresponsible or careless. This can involve individuals, companies, or even government agencies. Creating questions of bus accident liability, a family may be entitled to different types of recoveries in bus crash cases.

These claims may include bodily injury or property damage, but also economic loss, emotional pain and suffering, loss of support or consortium, and more. That said, most of these cases involve complex legal issues, which result in the need for the case to be investigated and witnesses and experts to be interviewed in order to establish liability.

In some states and cities, such as San Jose, located in California, claims are usually filed against drivers individually under their personal insurance, though employers may also be liable if the driver is an employee. Thus, a bus accident lawyer in San Jose can determine all potentially liable parties and fight to obtain a just reward.

Parties Who May Share Bus Accident Liability

The most important part of any legal action toward justice and fair damages lies in identifying the responsible parties.

Bus Driver

Families can sue for damages done if the bus driver is at fault in causing the accident. If the driver was drunk driving, racing down the street, or texting while driving, they are going to be held accountable.

Bus Company or Operator

Bus companies and operators have a legal duty to ensure passenger safety. Families can seek recompense if poor hiring practices, improper driver training, or unsafe scheduling were to blame for the crash. In many cases, the company’s larger insurance coverage makes it a primary source for settlements.

Maintenance Contractors

Some bus operators hire third-party contractors to handle repairs and maintenance. These contractors may face claims from these families if substandard work or missed inspections lead to a mechanical failure.

The case against the property owner becomes stronger; important evidence in the form of maintenance logs and expert evaluations can be used.

Bus or Parts Manufacturers

Manufacturers could be held responsible for any accidents that are the result of design issues or defective components under product liability law. Such issues could be the cause of the deaths of some families and might deserve compensation.

Common defective parts that can cause fatal accidents include:

• Faulty brakes
• Malfunctioning steering systems
• Defective tires or wheels
• Electrical system failures
• Eyes of the crash, with others involved

Other Drivers Involved in the Accident

Sometimes, the at-fault driver is in another vehicle. They can be liable if the driver ran a red light, was reckless, or broke traffic laws. That driver can be sued, or their family may seek compensation from their insurance. In multi-vehicle instances, more than one party may be liable for compensation.

Conclusion

Since so many different parties may be involved in a claim stemming from a bus accident, issues of bus accident liability arise, as each party has its own obligations under the law and insurance policy. Families might also be able to claim compensation for various damages, including medical and end-of-life expenses, lost wages, and non-economic damages for pain and anguish.

These cases can be very difficult to litigate; however, any case where we identify other potential defendants that share liability drastically increases the chances of a reasonable settlement offer being made. And by understanding what legal options are available, here is how families can make sure there is a good outcome after this kind of heartbreaking event takes place.