Greyhound and other commercial bus transportation companies provide an efficient and economical service for travelers. Thousands of people arrive safely at their destinations every day. However, bus accidents are distressingly common, and they can leave bus passengers and the occupants of other vehicles with severe injuries.
Buses must operate with the highest degree of care to protect passengers and others on the road. If they neglect that duty and someone suffers physical injury or other losses, the bus company could be liable for damages. If you were in a wreck involving a private commercial bus carrier, a State College Greyhound bus accident lawyer could help you pursue compensation. Get in touch with one of the dedicated bus crash attorneys at our firm to discuss your legal options.
All buses are dangerous vehicles. They are top-heavy, cumbersome, prone to rollovers on curves, and slow to accelerate or stop. They do not handle well in slippery conditions. Commercial buses also must adhere to strict schedules, so drivers are under pressure to arrive on time.
Most accidents result from someone’s negligence, and bus crashes are no different. In the legal arena, negligence means not using the degree of care a reasonable person would use in the same circumstance. Negligent causes of bus collisions commonly include:
A passenger on a commercial bus faces additional risk because the bus might not have seatbelts. A passenger who is walking in the aisle or in the bathroom when the bus crashes could suffer significant injuries. Additionally, luggage stored in racks above the seats could come loose and strike a passenger. Though, no matter how badly someone is injured, he or she must act quickly to assert their legal rights. 42 P.S. §5524 allows someone only two years to bring a lawsuit for personal injuries.
Commercial transportation operators must meet a higher standard of care than other drivers. Federal law defines bus companies as common carriers, meaning that they must use the utmost effort to ensure their passenger’s safety and protect others who use the roads. Any deviation from best practices could be evidence of negligence.
A diligent State College Greyhound bus accident attorney could investigate if the bus company adhered to the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule. A legal professional might also look into a driver’s training and safety record and whether the driver was on schedule when the incident occurred.
Police reports and witness statements might indicate the driver was speeding, distracted, or not operating the vehicle safely. Any such evidence could help prove the bus company did not adhere to a reasonable standard of care and should be liable for a victim’s damages.
Bus collisions can produce significant injuries that could leave a victim permanently disabled. Even less severe injuries might require extensive medical intervention, time off work, and limit the injured person’s activities. Damages could cover all the expenses and losses the victim suffers from the accident.
Besides medical expenses, incidental costs associated with getting treatment, and medical care the injury will require in the future, damages may also pay for:
If a Greyhound bus crash lawyer in State College could prove that the bus company, its driver, or another responsible party was grossly negligent or behaved recklessly without regard to others’ safety, a court could award punitive damages. Punitive damages are not typically available in injury cases, but if a commercial bus company willfully puts passenger’s safety at risk, a court might choose to award them.
If you were injured in a collision with a commercial bus carrier, you need a strong legal advocate by your side. Greyhound and the other commercial transportation companies have teams of investigators and lawyers to defend them, and you need skilled representation to achieve the result you deserve.
A State College Greyhound accident lawyer will not be bullied. Reach out to Marcus & Mack today to get an aggressive professional working for you.
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