Liability on Bus Accidents Explained

Earlier this month, a gruesome accident happened in California involving a bus carrying tourists who had gone from a winter vacation at the ski resort town of Big Bear in San Bernardino County. Apparently, as the bus was traveling down State Route 38 going back to Tijuana, Mexico, it suddenly picked up speed after being passed by other vehicles.

After traveling for about a mile on failing brakes, the bus rear-ended a Saturn sedan that just passed by seconds earlier. A Ford pickup then rammed into the bus, causing the latter to swerve, flip, and slid on its side after going back upright and hitting a boulder. It was 6:30 p.m. when the incident happened.

Of the 38 people inside the bus, seven of them were killed, with one remaining unidentified. About three dozen more were injured.

Investigations are still ongoing with regards the accident, with brake failures as the primary cause. However, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is also taking a look at the driver, who miraculously survived the crash but suffered injuries, whether or not he was moving too fast on the mountain highway.

Such accidents are rather complex than the typical motor vehicle accidents. Not only do these involve the number of passengers and the state’s safety precautions on the operation of large public vehicles. The legal standpoint, specifically establishing and the assignment of liability, is what makes these mishaps complicated.

Usually, bus accidents may often involve more than one responsible party. They may include the following:

• The driver, which may be intensified if there is alcoholism or fatigue involved;
• The bus carrier, if it has known to have failed numerous times in upholding the safety of its vehicles and/or its passengers; or
• The manufacturers, if the make or design of a bus, particularly its vital parts such as tires, brakes, and steering, caused an accident.

Getting injured in a bus accident would rightfully need a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer. With expert representation from the attorney, a victim may be able to establish and determine that potential liable party/ies in his or her bus accident claim.


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