Bus accidents can be simultaneously simple and complex. For a passenger on a bus, proving fault is relatively straightforward as either the bus driver or other vehicle is liable. Additionally, buses are considered common carriers, which means they are held to a higher standard of care than other vehicles you might encounter on the road. For a driver who is hit by a bus, they must prove that the bus driver was negligent, which will not be easy. Bus companies are notorious for fighting stubbornly whenever they might be held accountable for injuries and damages.
Rather than trying to fight a bus company on your own, let Portner & Shure, P.A., and our Columbia, Maryland bus accident lawyers represent you. We do not hesitate to go toe-to-toe with bus companies and the insurance companies that try to shield them from liability. For more than 30 years, we have focused on plaintiff personal injury cases, so you can trust in us to handle your claim with care.
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Serious Injuries in Bus Accidents
Bus passengers are offered virtually no protection against injuries that can be suffered in a traffic collision. There are no seatbelts on essentially all buses. Very few buses are designed with headrests and armrests that can offer additional bracing support. Luggage storage areas are also rarely secured or latched, so luggage and personal items can be thrown around the cabin during a crash, causing further injuries.
Some of the worst injuries that can be suffered in a bus accident include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury
- Bone fractures
- Severe lacerations
If you are hit by a bus while in your own vehicle, then you might still suffer severe injuries. The massive size and weight of the average bus mean it will cause extreme devastation to any vehicle smaller than it.
What is Respondeat Superior?
Portner & Shure, P.A. in Columbia, Maryland usually represents motorists and passengers in bus accident claims. However, we can also lend our legal experience to bus drivers thanks to a legal concept called respondeat superior.
In a quick summary of what this legal concept means and does, it allows an employer to be held accountable for damages and wrongdoing caused by an employee, even if the injuries are suffered by that same employee. To this end, a bus driver can sue their own parent bus company for damages, especially if no workers’ compensation coverage is provided. For example, a bus driver might want to file a claim against their employer if they believe a defect with the bus they were provided caused the crash, such as a brake failure.
Suing a Municipal Agency is Tricky
Were you hit by a city bus, not a bus owned by a private company? You might need to file your claim against a local municipality, such as a county transportation department. Whenever you have to try to hold a municipality accountable for damages, you should prepare for steep opposition.
You can strengthen your claim’s validity with:
- Any photographs or recordings of the crash
- Statements from eyewitnesses or other passengers
- Medical records detailing your injuries
- Bus driver’s unsafe driving record
Backed by more than 30 years of legal experience dealing with complex auto accident cases like bus accident claims, we know where to look to get valuable evidence to use in your claim. Once we find the evidence, we also know how to use it most effectively. Meanwhile, you can focus on your rest and recuperation while we get to work.
Handling Bus Accident Claims the Simpler Way
Leave all the most stressful parts of your bus accident claim in Columbia, Maryland up to our legal team. We enjoy being able to deliver secure maximized compensation for locals in need. If you were hit by a bus or hurt while riding on a bus, then we want to know about it!
