Who Is Responsible If I Get Injured in a Bus Accident?
By Christopher Hoffmann
Mar. 18, 2019 10:15a
Tour buses are a very popular way to get to see the surroundings of a city during a holiday. However, as with all means of transportation, there is a potential risk. If you get injured while on a tours bus, you may wonder who can be held responsible for damages.
Unfortunately, the answer is fairly complex.
What Are the Facts?
The circumstances of your case will ultimately point you in the direction of the liable party. However, these cases are often rather intricate, and if you are looking to seek compensation for damages, it’s best to discuss your case with a St. Louis car accident lawyer first.
Missouri and most states have special regulations for vehicles that carry multiple passengers at a time, like school buses, public transportation, and tour buses. These regulations are in place to ensure the safety of the passengers, as one simple mistake can end up with devastating consequences. Plus, the companies and the drivers of these vehicles also have to comply with the specific regulations of the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
In general, some of these regulations may include:
Mandatory and regular vehicle maintenance;
Regular audits to ensure the companies check out;
Regular examinations done by a professional mechanic;
Companies are responsible to screen and train their drivers.
There are three parties who can potentially be liable in these types of cases:
1. The Bus Driver
If the bus driver was negligent while operating the vehicle, such as taking their eyes off the road or talking on the phone, then they may also be liable to pay damages. In this case, you’ll most likely file a claim with their insurance company, or file a lawsuit directly against them.
2. The Bus Company
If the accident was caused by a vehicle malfunction or something out of the driver’s control, then the company that employs the driver may be liable. However, to prove the company was negligent and get them to pay compensation, you will have to prove:
They did not respect the safety regulations imposed by the state;
They knew about the vehicle issue but did not act in time
They were aware the issue might cause these unfortunate results.
3. Another Driver
If the accident was caused by a passenger vehicle, then it is possible that neither the bus driver nor the company is responsible. You will file a claim against the other driver and ask for compensation for your damages.
Unfortunately, it may not be so evident which party is at fault for the collision and your damages. A lot of the times, these cases require quite a bit of investigation until you can understand which party is to blame, let alone proving they owe you compensation.
If you’ve been injured on a tour bus, reach out to a St. Louis auto accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242.