If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident in Rhode Island, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Our RI bus accident attorneys have years of experience in settling these cases and we charge no fee until you obtain a settlement or award. Please feel free to call us toll free 24/7 at (401) 200-3946 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.
Bus Accidents are occurring more frequently across the United States. In fact, buses complete approximately 750 million passenger trips each year (i). Although bus travel remains one of the safest modes of highway transportation in the country, accidents can and do occur, injuring and even killing passengers.
What Causes Bus Crashes?
There are many different causes of bus crashes including:
- Traffic violations
- Distracted driving
- Driver errors
- Driver fatigue
- Defective or worn bus equipment
- Poor road conditions
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance
Bus accidents can be disastrous due to the size of the bus and how many people are involved. People expect to be safe when they ride on a bus and laws require the bus driver to exercise the “utmost care” while operating the bus. When individuals and companies operate these vehicles outside statutory and regulatory safety requirements, the accidents can be devastating. The duty of “utmost care” is much greater than that which is required of motorists driving their own personal vehicles. Although bus accidents are not as frequent as the typical car accident, they tend to be much more disastrous.
Possible Bus Accident Injuries
Some injuries that can occur from bus accidents include:
- Brain injuries
- Concussions
- Scarring/Burns
- Disfigurement
- Broken or fractured bones
- Dislocated or injured shoulders
- Amputation of limbs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding/injuries
For those who may choose to travel by bus, the following are some topics for consideration.
What Are Some Types of Buses Involved in Accidents?
- City/public bus
- Airport shuttle
- Party bus
- Greyhound bus
- School bus – public and private
- Charter bus
- Tour bus
What Should I Do After a Bus Accident?
- If you have serious injuries, seek medical attention right away.
- Tell the responding officer all of the details you can while the incident is still fresh in your mind, including where and when the accident happened, and the bus number, if possible.
- Take pictures and videos of the scene for your personal records.
- Avoid taking an insurance settlement without first consulting an experienced RI bus accident attorney because you could be entitled to more and an attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Who Is Liable for a Bus Crash?
Depending on the type of bus, the organization which runs the bus, and other situation-specific factors, one or more parties could be held liable for your injuries in a bus crash, including but not limited to:
- The government – if you are struck by a city or public bus, the government would be liable for most of these accidents where the bus driver is at fault.
- A school – if the crash involved a school bus, the city government would be liable for a public school’s bus, and private schools would likely be responsible for crashes involving their own buses.
- Chartered bus company – accidents which occur while on a tour bus, a party bus, or a charter bus generally result in the private company being held liable.
- Third-party driver – if the accident was not the fault of the bus driver, but was the fault of a third-party driver, that driver’s insurance may be held liable for damages caused.
- Bus manufacturer – when the accident was the result of a defective bus part or design flaw, the manufacturer of the faulty party may owe you compensation for your damages.
Things to Consider as a RI Bus Passenger:
- Select the right vehicle
- Find the safest passenger carrier companies in your area
- Review safety performance history
- Check the bus’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration safety rating
- Familiarize yourself with operating authority and insurance requirements
- If you see a safety violation, be sure to notify authorities with a consumer complaint
For more information, click here.
It is important to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as a bus accident occurs. There are strict time limits regarding when a claim can be filed, and if that time period is over, you no longer have the ability to recover compensation for your injuries. Rhode Island bus accident law is complex and involves many legal intricacies that an experienced attorney can help with.
Contact the Law Offices of d’Oliveira & Associates
If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver while riding on a bus in Rhode Island, you may want to speak with a personal injury attorney regarding a potential claim. An RI injury lawyer familiar with new developments in the investigation of bus accidents may be able to help you make important personal and legal decisions.
Call d’Oliveira & Associates at 1-(401) 200-3964, or fill out a contact form for your free legal consultation.
Sources:
- (i) U.S. Dept. of Transportation Motorcoach Safety Action Plan. 2012.
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/safety-security/Motorcoach-Safety-Action-Plan-2012.pdf - (ii) U.S. Dept. of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Traffic Safety Facts. 2011 Data.
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811753.pdf
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