The Nashville Metro Area reported a net population increase of 100 people per day through the middle of 2018. The population increase results in more people utilizing Nashville area buses. Many people are unaware of the dangers that buses pose to passengers and other motorists. If you or a loved one was involved in a bus accident you should talk with Franklin Bus Accident Lawyer George Angelopoulos to protect your rights and help obtain the money you deserve. Tennessee has a short one year statute of limitations. A free review of your case can begin today.
Bus drivers are required to possess a Commercial Drivers License with either an ‘S’ (School) or ‘P’ (Passenger) endorsement based upon the type of bus they will operate. Even with extensive qualifications included in local and federal safety regulations, the size and weight of buses make them dangerous to other vehicles on the road. Passengers who are injured while riding a bus, pedestrians who are struck by a bus and motorist who are involved in bus wrecks all may have successful personal injury claims.
Bus Accident Law
Bus operators are ‘Common Carriers’ under Tennessee Law. This increases the standard of care owed to passengers reducing the hurdle required to win your case when the bus driver makes an error. This includes the time entering or exiting the bus. The normal standard of care is the Reasonable Person Standard, however Tennessee Law increases the threshold to exercise the highest degree of care.
In other words, if you are driving guests in your automobile then you have a duty to do everything a reasonable person would do to keep your passengers safe. Bus companies must go above and beyond to protect their passengers from a bus accident.
Passengers who are injured in Bus Accidents need to get medical care, have evidence collected to prove their claim and somehow maintain a normal life. This is where George wants to help. We know how to manage your injury claim, prove your case and obtain the money you deserve.
Pedestrians Injured By A Bus
Not all bus accidents are between vehicles. A pedestrian injured by any motor vehicle is lucky to be alive. Whether caused by a school bus, city operated bus or a county school bus you can be sure the bus company will be looking to avoid liability because of the substantial injuries involved when a person is struck by a large commercial vehicle. Many buses contain front and rear video cameras. Local business around the collision scene may have security cameras that could be used to document the facts. Obtaining this information is not easy, particularly after an injury. Being struck by a bus or other vehicle does not automatically create a right to compensation. Injured pedestrians are still required to prove the standard elements of their case before the statute of limitations expires. Talk with George about your case today.
Car accident with Bus
Bus accidents involving personally owned vehicles are more common than you may think. The framework for proving your case is similar to that of an accident between passenger vehicles, but is more complicated because of Federal Regulation and level of damages usually sustained. Comparative fault or an allocation of liability is an early tactic for bus insurance carriers to reduce the amount of money they will pay. Hiring experienced personal injury lawyer George Angelopoulos to represent your family will ensure we hold the bus company accountable together.
Tennessee Negligence Laws
When carelessness causes another injury, the injured party may sue to recover damages for their injuries. Depending on the circumstances, the victim of a bus accident may have a right to sue a negligent bus driver, the bus company and sometimes both. Common examples of negligence involved in a bus accident include:
- Speeding
- Driving while intoxicated
- Texting or talking on cell phone while driving
- Failure to repair unsafe mechanical issue
- Driver fatigue
Bus Accident Injury Claims Against a City or County
Bus accident cases are more complicated when cities or public schools are involved. Government entities are immune from lawsuits, unless they agree to be sued. This does not mean that you cannot file a lawsuit against the city or county if you or your child received injuries during a metro bus or school bus accident. What changes is the level of experience needed to navigate your claim.
Generally if the conduct causing the bus accident is negligent then Government Tort Liability will not stop the injured party from proceeding with their claim. However, if the conduct is reckless or intentional then the result may be different.
The Government Tort Liability Act caps the amount of money you can receive from a government entity:
- $300,000 for injury or death for each person per accident
- $700,000 for injury or death everyone involved in the accident
- $100,000 for property damage per accident
All bus accident injury victims should seek an experienced personal injury attorney to fight for their rights. Call today or complete the contact form to get started today.