There are many different types of motor vehicle accidents that Virginia residents may find themselves in, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents and more. Perhaps the most unique type of accident is a bus accident because you do not necessarily have to be driving in another vehicle in order to find yourself in such an accident. Because the purpose of buses is to carry passengers, you may be involved in an accident because of a negligent or reckless bus driver operating the vehicle in which you are riding.
What is particularly frightening about being involved in a bus accident in this capacity is that buses do not have all of the safety features of other vehicles, such as seat belts. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you could be thrown from your seat, causing you to suffer a great deal of injuries. It is important to remember that Virginia law considers buses common carriers, which means that they are expected to treat their passengers with a high standard of care. If this standard is not met, then the consequences for the bus driver could be quite serious.
Of course you could still be injured in a bus accident in a traditional way, being behind the wheel of another vehicle that is struck by a bus. This can also lead to serious injury because of the size and weight of buses.
If you are injured in a bus accident, please visit our website to learn more about buses and the standards that they owe to their passengers. If you were not at fault in the accident, we can help you prove your case to the courts so that you can be compensated for the injuries you suffered.
Buses are an extremely efficient way to transport large groups of people for a variety of reasons or events. Obviously, there are school buses, which transport students to and from school on a near-daily basis, but there are other types of buses as well. Business sometimes charter buses in order to transport employees or partners to a conference or work-related celebration, and many companies use buses to transport tourists around large areas full of incredible sights.
While these buses may seem like wonderful options, the truth is that they can be dangerous just as any other motor vehicle can. However, many buses lack safety features such as seat belts, and as a result, passengers involved in a bus accident may suffer from minor or serious injuries that could easily have been avoided. As with any other motor vehicle, you have rights if you are involved in an accident.
Virginia Buses are Considered Common Carriers
In Virginia, like many states, buses are considered common carriers. This means that because they are transporting people or goods for compensation, they are held to an extremely high standard of safety and care for their cargo. For example, school bus drivers are expected to be extra careful when stopping to allow small children off the bus, and they are also expected to drop the children off in as safe a place as possible to ensure the children are not injured on their way home.
How Do Bus Accidents and Truck Accidents Differ?
On the totem pole of different accident types, bus accidents are much more similar to truck accidents than they are to normal car accidents. Despite the similarities, there are a few key differences between the two accident types. There are usually even more agents at play in the case of bus accidents. Such accidents are actually treated differently under the law because of their common carrier status.
Common carrier is a phrase that is used to describe vehicles that specialize in transporting people or goods for compensation. The distinction applies to many different vehicles, including commercial airplanes, cruise ships, and of course buses of various types. In Virginia, a common carrier distinction means that you owe passengers a high standard of care, assuring them that their safety is a top priority.
Being classified as a common carrier does not necessarily mean that bus drivers are treated differently than other drivers in case of an accident, but it could mean that the compensation victims can recover in such an accident is even greater. Combined with the fact that multiple different parties can be held liable in a bus accident, victims of a bus accident could be awarded substantial sums of monetary compensation.
With normal accidents, the liability lies with the driver who is determined to be at fault. With truck accidents, the liability may lie with the driver, but it may also lie with the company that owns the truck. In bus accidents, this is also true, but depending on the destinations to which the bus is taking you, others could be liable for your injuries as well. If you have been injured in a bus accident, consider meeting with an attorney to maximize your compensation.
Seek Help from Fairfax VA Truck Accident Attorneys
Similar to truck accidents, many different parties could be held responsible for bus accidents depending on the circumstances. In order to have a full understanding of the aspects of your case and get the maximum amount of compensation you deserve, it is highly recommended that you consult with an attorney if you are injured in a bus accident.
