While accidents involving passenger cars are the most common types of traffic accident, crashes involving school buses and commercial buses also occur with some frequency. In fact, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s 2012 data reveals that 584 commercial buses and 399 school buses were involved in automobile accidents throughout the state in 2012.
An accident involving a bus is often tragic and can result in severe injuries or death for those involved. This can include occupants of the bus or other vehicles, as well as pedestrians and bicyclists. If you’ve been involved in an accident with a bus, call our bus accident attorneys in Philadelphia for help securing compensation.
Causes of Philadelphia Bus Accidents
Like accidents involving traditional passenger cars, a bus accident can be caused by a variety of factors. Sometimes, bus accidents are caused by the actions of drivers of passenger cars or by factors such as poor road conditions or objects in the road.
In other cases, bus accidents are the result of bus driver error or negligence. Speeding, reckless driving, illegally turning or lane changing, driving aggressively, bus driver fatigue, driving while distracted, driving under the influence, and improper training are all causes of or contributing factors to bus accidents.
Sometimes, the mechanical failure of a bus or a defective bus part – such as a defective tire or defective brakes – can cause a bus accident. Meanwhile, some injuries are not the result of traffic accidents; rather, slips and falls on the bus (such as upon entering or exiting the bus) or other accidents involving defective parts or conditions on the bus.
Regardless of the specific cause, if a bus accident that wasn’t your fault caused an injury, speak with our bus accident lawyers in Philadelphia about which party or parties might be liable.
Who is liable for injuries caused by a bus accident?
Both school buses and commercial or public buses have a duty under the law to provide a service to passengers that is reasonably free from hazards and dangers. Therefore, if a bus driver caused an accident by driving negligently or without proper care, the driver may be liable for the accident. Additionally, a school district that owns and operates the bus or a private bus company may also be liable by extension.
If a passenger car driver is responsible for the wreck, then that party may be liable. If defective equipment or parts caused the accident, then the manufacturer may be liable. Our bus accident lawyers in Philadelphia can help you explore which parties may be liable, and then prove it when filing your claim.
In order to prove liability of the bus driver or bus company, for example, you will have to prove the bus driver acted negligently, the negligent actions caused the bus accident, and the bus accident caused your injuries. You can present photographs of the scene and bus, police reports, eyewitness testimony, and other evidence that our attorneys will help you collect.
Call the Bus Accident Lawyers in Philadelphia at Our Firm
In Pennsylvania, you have two years from the date of injury to pursue a personal injury case, according to Chapter 42 of Pennsylvania Constitutional Statutes. If you’re filing a claim against a government agency responsible for the bus, you must provide notice of intent to sue within six months of the accident. Our bus accident attorneys in Philadelphia can help you meet any deadlines.
At Cordisco & Saile LLC, we can provide legal assistance to pursue a claim against a government agency, private company, passenger vehicle driver or other party. To get started on filing your case today, call us at 215-642-2335 or use the form on the contact page to set up a consultation with our bus accident lawyers in Philadelphia.
