Denver boasts an amazing public transportation system, including the ability to travel throughout the city by bus. However, bus accidents are some of the most devastating types of accidents, causing catastrophic injuries and deaths due to their size.
In fact, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that in 2016 alone, 227 bus accidents involved fatalities. However, public transportation buses are not the only way that victims can suffer injuries in a bus accident. School buses and private buses used for transportation also cause serious injuries and deaths when involved in a collision.
If you suffered injuries resulting from a bus accident in Denver, consider contacting our legal team today at Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (800) 921-7227 to help you understand how a Denver bus accident lawyer can help you with your legal options.
The Importance of Determining the Cause of a Bus Accident
If you suffered injuries as a victim of a bus accident due to someone else’s negligence, you need to make a determination who actually demonstrated negligence or recklessness in order to understand which party has a legal liability to compensate you for your injuries and losses. Insurance companies will usually conduct investigations into bus accidents in order to make this determination.
However, if the determination of liability is not clear, consider hiring a Denver bus accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC to help you conduct an independent investigation in order to conclusively determine liability. While every bus accident has its own set of facts and circumstances, the following are some parties that may have a responsibility with respect to your bus accident.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accidents lawyer serving Denver, call (800) 921-7227
Bus Driver
If a driver of a bus negligently operated the bus in a reckless or negligent manner, they may have personal responsibility for the bus accident. Examples of negligent operating may include driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving while texting, driving while talking on a cell phone, failing to follow the rules of the road, speeding, or driving recklessly. All bus drivers assume the responsibility to ensure the safety of their passengers, whether it be on a public transportation bus, public school bus, passenger bus privately owned by a church, school, hotel, or airport, or any other type of bus.
If an independent investigation into the bus accident determines that the bus driver operated the bus with negligence, you may have the ability to file a claim with the bus driver or with the bus company that was the employer of the bus driver.
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Bus Company
Under a legal theory known as “respondeat superior,” employers have a legal responsibility regarding the actions of their employees. If a bus company hired an employee they knew did not have a good safety rating, enough experience, or a good driving record, they may remain responsible for the actions of their driver.
Additionally, if they fail to place a bus driver on leave or fire a bus driver that has a history of alcohol abuse or drugs while driving, they will also bear the responsibility of a bus accident involving the operation of a bus when a driver remains under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Some questions to ask to determine if an employer has a responsibility to compensate victims include the following:
- Did the bus company provide adequate training to the bus driver?
- Did the bus driver have adequate experience to drive and operate the bus involved in the accident?
- Did the bus company fail to issue drug or alcohol testing to its employees?
- Did a bus company fail to remove a bus driver that had a history of drug and alcohol abuse while driving?
- Did a bus company complete a background investigation in order to determine if a bus driver had an active license to operate a large bus?
- Did the bus company conduct a complete background investigation regarding the bus driver?
Bus companies will often have the responsibility to compensate victims involved in bus accidents, even if they followed all of the aforementioned guidelines and followed proper protocol due to the legal theory previously mentioned known as respondeat superior.
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Government Entities
If you suffered injuries resulting from an accident involving any kind of bus owned and/or operated by a government entity, which may also include some school buses, you may have the legal right to file a claim against the appropriate government entity.
These types of cases involving government claims remain substantially different than civil claims regarding personal injuries. The statute of limitations (deadlines) to file a claim against a government entity remains quite strict and usually allows less time than a civil suit. Visiting with a Denver bus accident lawyer can help ensure your legal rights remain protected.
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Manufacturers
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has very specific guidance regarding any type of parts and components that are on large commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles, and buses. If a defective part or component either directly causes a bus accident, victims may have the legal right to hold the product designer, manufacturer, or retailer responsible for their injuries and losses under product liability law.
Product liability claims include a serious investigation into whether or not any recall notices occurred regarding a part or component and how exactly the part or component contributed to the bus accident. These types of accidents typically involve substantial resources and time.
Consider a Denver Bus Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one suffered any kind of injury or loss resulting from a bus accident in the city of Denver, consider contacting our legal team today at Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (800) 921-7227 to help you understand how an independent investigation into your case can help ensure you receive compensation for your injuries and losses.
Our Denver bus accident lawyers can handle your case and work on a contingency-fee-basis.
Call or text (800) 921-7227 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
