Who Can Be Held Liable in a Bus Accident?

When injured in a bus accident, not many people know how to take legal recourse. It can be difficult to figure out who exactly is liable and who you can bring to court.

After all, going to court can be expensive. Without the help of an attorney, you could end up bringing a case against the wrong person and wasting the court’s time. To save you the trouble, here’s a better understanding of who is liable when you’re injured in a bus accident.

How To Determine Fault In A Bus Accident

An idaho personal injury lawyer can help you to determine who is at fault in a bus accident. But at the moment of the accident, it’s not really clear who could have caused it in the first place. Speaking to an attorney who has experience with bus accidents can help you sort your case out and conduct a thorough investigation into the accident to determine who is liable.

Parties Who Could Be Liable In A Bus Accident

Depending on the specific circumstances of the case, there are several people who could be held liable. This can include:

A bus driver
The bus company
The owner of the bus
The operator of a tour company
A charter bus company
The driver of another vehicle
A government entity
The manufacturer of a bus or its parts

As you can see, there are many parties who could be involved, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll have a case against all of them. Compensation also isn’t automatic after a bus crash, so you’ll have to speak with a seasoned attorney to help you build a claim for damages.

Determining Who Is Responsible

In the event that the driver of the bus was at fault for the accident, then you could pursue a case against their employer. If the bus is a means of public transport, that means that it’s owned by a government entity and you’ll have to pursue a claim of damages directly against that entity.

If the driver of a different vehicle causes the accident, you could seek compensation against that driver and file a claim through their insurance company.

Another instance of liability is if something goes wrong with the bus while it is in operation. Damages could be sought against whoever is supposed to maintain the bus when it’s not running or against the manufacturer of whatever part(s) contributed to the bus accident occurring.

In the end, it’s important that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your bus accident. The sooner, the better, as they’ll be able to contact witnesses, look at the police report, and gain all of the information that they need while it’s still fresh rather than the statute of limitations running out. If you were injured in a bus accident, don’t hesitate to contact a lawyer immediately. They’ll be able to discuss the details of your case and what steps can be taken to obtain the compensation you deserve.