Who is Responsible for Injuries in Tour Bus Crashes?

Who is Responsible for Injuries in Tour Bus Crashes?

California is filled with a plethora of beautiful attractions and cities that attract many tourists. Top spots in places like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego can be pretty spread out. This makes taking a tour bus an economical way to get around one of the biggest states in the Union. With all of the tour busses on the road today, it’s inevitable that we see a rise in tour bus accidents. These accidents can often involve multiple parties, so it can become difficult to assign responsibility for injuries that result. These cases can be confusing and you may find it helpful to consult with a San Jose bus accident attorney.

California Tour Bus Laws

State and local legislators have enacted laws governing tour bus operations. In fact, the Los Angeles City Council approved a series of restrictions last year that banned buses on certain streets. Earlier last year, state lawmakers passed a bill known as AB 1677, aimed at improving safety for tour buses. The legislation allows cities and counties to ask the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to inspect tour buses operating in their area.

Before the bill, buses were inspected on a limited and routine basis by CHP. However, the law has come under controversy because cities and counties still have to pay for the inspections. With push-back from local enforcement agencies, inspections could be impacted, leading to more and more unsafe tour busses on the road.

Who is Liable for Injuries in Tour Bus Crashes?

California Civil Code Section 2100 lays out certain stipulations for bus carriers in the state. Essentially, tour bus operators owe a duty of care for the safety of their passengers and must operate with a reasonable amount of skill given the risks involved.

If the bus company fails to properly maintain the bus, or the driver operates the bus in an unsafe manner, the bus company could be held liable for injuries resulting from that behavior. If another party acted in a reckless manner that caused a bus accident, they could be held liable. In certain circumstances, those entities involved in bus inspections or maintenance may be held liable if they were negligent in their duties. An experienced San  bus accident attorney will have the skills and resources necessary to determine who the responsible parties are so that you can obtain the compensation you are entitled to.

If you are involved in a tour bus accident, you have the right to file a lawsuit against the bus company. You could receive compensation for monetary damages like hospital bills and physical therapy, or for past and future pain or emotional distress.

How Can You Help Your Case?

After an accident, the first priority is to obtain appropriate medical care. If possible, note the name and contact information of the driver and any witnesses to the accident. Writing down the bus’s license plate number and taking photos of any damage will also help in your case. If the bus was equipped with interior or exterior video cameras, not that as well – your attorney can obtain copies of the accident footage to help your case.

An experienced San Jose bus accident attorney will be able to advise you about your options and guide you through the process of making a claim and building a case after an accident. Contact our office today for a consultation to discuss your rights.

Injuries in Tour Bus Crashes San Jose bus accident attorney

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