Buses can be an environmentally friendly mode of transportation for many. However, buses can cause devastating damage in an accident due to their enormous size and weight.
If you or a loved one were injured in a bus collision, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries. A Jackson County Bus Accident Lawyer could investigate the crash, determine which party may be liable and build a case to help you prove negligence in court. Speak to a diligent personal injury attorney to learn about the law, your rights, and legal options.
Buses are generally common carriers, and thus they owe an elevated duty of care to their passengers. According to Mississippi Code Annotated §77-7-7, common carriers are motor vehicles which carry passengers or transport goods for compensation.
Coaches used as public transportation are considered common carriers. However, school, university, and government agency buses do not generally fall into this category. A skilled Jackson County Bus Accident Attorney may have experience with common carrier passenger injuries.
Vehicle operators have a duty to protect others from an unreasonable risk of harm. Drivers are required to have proper licenses, understand road safety, as well as their proven ability to operate the vehicle.
An operator of a public transportation coach is required to obtain a specialized endorsement, per the Commercial Driver’s License Act. The license authorizes the driver to carry multiple passengers.
Under Miss. Code Ann. §63-1-221, a school bus driver should have additional training before obtaining an endorsement. They need to demonstrate their knowledge of loading and unloading children, operation of warning lights, and emergency evacuations of the bus.
A speeding bus may be the cause of a collision and injuries to the bus passengers. Per Miss. Code Ann. §37-41-47, it is unlawful for a school bus driver to exceed 45 miles per hour while transporting children. Moreover, without passengers, the bus must not exceed 50 miles per hour.
Plaintiffs who were injured because of a speeding bus may be able to use the driver’s failure to obey the velocity statute in a lawsuit against the bus driver or company.
Under Miss. Code Ann. §63-1-216, a driver with a commercial license may have it suspended or revoked if they are found to have driven with a blood alcohol content of .04 percent or higher.
If an individual is harmed in a coach collision that involved an impaired driver, they might use evidence of intoxication to establish liability. An experienced Bus Accident Attorney in Jackson County could investigate the collision and determine the cause of the injured claimant’s damages.
Whether you were injured while riding a bus or crashed into one, you may have legal recourse. A Jackson County Bus Accident Lawyer could help you with your personal injury lawsuit. You may be eligible to recover compensation for your injuries and damages.
Let a knowledgeable attorney help your case. Call today to schedule a consultation.