Accidents with any kind of motor vehicle can happen suddenly and result in life-altering consequences. While a crash with another car is one thing, a collision with a bus is entirely different. The significant difference in size and weight means that the car will take the majority of the force from the collision’s impact, which can result in severe injuries.
If you have been hurt by getting hit by a bus or while riding as a passenger, an injury attorney may be able to assist you in recovering financial compensation for your injuries. A Tarpon Springs bus accident lawyer from the team at LMD Injury Lawyers could help you understand your legal options and provide representation throughout the process.
Operating a bus requires a substantially higher level of attentiveness and skill compared to a regular car. City buses, county buses, tour buses, and school buses are designed to transport people, so they are longer, wider, and heavier than other vehicles. These differences mean that buses are more unwieldy when making turns and take longer to come to a complete stop. It is also easier to lose control over them. In this way, most bus accidents are the result of driver errors.
An error is any mistake that the driver makes that increases the risk of a collision. This can include not paying attention to the road, driving while fatigued, driving under the influence of alcohol, failing to properly check blind spots, and speeding. Drivers of regular cars make these same errors, but the mistakes are magnified while operating a larger bus.
Buses are designed to carry a large number of people over long distances and typically operate continuously for hours. This causes significantly more wear on the vehicle’s internal mechanics, requiring regular repairs and maintenance to ensure everything is in proper working order. Poor or inadequate maintenance can result in the failure of one of these components, such as brakes.
Road conditions also have a greater effect on larger buses. Inclement weather, such as heavy rainfall, can cause the bus to slide or hydroplane. Poor road maintenance, such as potholes or uneven surfaces, increases the risk of an accident because the driver can easily lose control of the heavy vehicle.
The cause of the accident is key to determining responsibility, and anyone who has been hurt in a bus crash should speak with a knowledgeable attorney in Tarpon Springs. A lawyer could help determine who was responsible so that the victims can focus on healing.
Responsibility for a bus wreck can be complex because, unlike a private car, buses may be attached to several different parties who each have duties toward the vehicle’s operation. Depending on the facts of the case, any one of these parties could be held responsible.
The first and most apparent is the bus driver. As the person with direct control of the vehicle, they are responsible for the safety of their passengers, along with other drivers on the road. Drivers can be at fault if their unsafe driving resulted in a collision.
Buses are not an everyday vehicle that anybody can own. Rather, most if not all buses are owned either by a commercial transportation company, such as Greyhound, or a government entity, such as Hernando County Transit. As owners, these entities are responsible for maintaining their fleet of vehicles and employing competent operators.
Responsibility can change on the slightest of details, and it is important to pursue a claim against the proper party. A lawyer experienced in bus collision claims in Tarpon Springs could review the facts and evidence to determine the party responsible.
A collision with a large bus can result in devastating injuries to everyone. If you have been hurt as a driver or a passenger in a bus crash, talk about your case with a Tarpon Springs bus accident lawyer.
The team at LMD Injury Lawyers has years of experience in handling these types of cases and could provide you with guidance. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your options.
727-849-5353