According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there are more than 4,000 passenger bus-related fatalities in the United States each year. Considering the size of buses compared to most motor vehicles on the road, this may not come as much of a surprise. After all, a city bus may weigh as much as 10 times more than an average passenger vehicle.
Because of the risks to riders and other drivers associated with driving a passenger bus, bus drivers and bus companies are often held to a higher standard of care than typical motorists. Drivers receive specialized training, and companies must meet state-mandated qualifications in order to be entrusted with the safety of Los Angeles passengers.
If you suffered an injury in a traffic accident involving a passenger bus, a Los Angeles, Claremont, and Pasadena bus accident lawyer can help you explore whether you are entitled to compensation for your damages. Call an experienced attorney today to get started on your claim.
Negligence in Los Angeles Bus Accident Cases
In many traffic accident lawsuits, a plaintiff attempts to prove that another motorist’s negligence directly caused an accident. This same general principle applies to bus accidents as well. If someone injured in a bus accident can demonstrate negligence on the part of the bus driver or bus company involved, they may be able to hold those parties liable for damages such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, and damage to another’s vehicle.
In order to show negligence, the plaintiff in a bus accident must prove that the bus driver or company breached a duty of care owed to their passengers or fellow motorists, and as a result, directly caused some type of harm.
Standard of Care
Passenger bus drivers and companies—or the city department that controls passenger buses—owe a higher standard of care to fellow motorists than the typical driver. This is because of the inherent risk associated with driving large buses on the public roads, as well as the special trust the public places in them to safely transport passengers around town.
In addition to this special standard of care to motorists on the road, bus drivers also owe a duty to provide safe travel to their passengers. A Los Angeles County bus accident attorney can show that a bus driver, or company, breached this special standard of care by:
- Showing they did not train the bus driver properly
- Showing the bus driver did not meet certain state-mandated qualifications
- Proving that the bus was not maintained properly
- Gathering testimony of witnesses and passengers on the bus to recreate the accident
- Using all evidence available to show that the plaintiff’s actions did not contribute to the accident
Speak with a Los Angeles Region Bus Accident Attorney Today
An experienced Los Angeles, Claremont, and Pasadena bus accident attorney should be familiar with Los Angeles regulations related to passenger buses. After conducting a thorough investigation into the accident, they can use the evidence gathered to show that the bus driver or bus company was negligent in causing your traffic accident.
Many people trust buses to provide safe transportation for Los Angeles residents and visitors and most of the time, the buses in Los Angeles do a great job. However, sometimes accidents happen, and when they involve a bus the consequences can often be tragic. If you are involved in a bus-related accident in Los Angeles, it may be wise to consult with a Los Angeles County bus accident attorney immediately to see if you have a claim.
