Bus Company Liability
In the aftermath of a tragic bus accident, three people were left dead, and those who survived suffered concussions, brain trauma, broken bones, and life-altering injuries. One would think that after such an accident, families and victims would be able to seek compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering from the bus company and its insurers. But, the families often face a troubling long road to recovery.
In one accident, the New York Times reports that one bus company’s insurers estimated that the crash claims would exceed the policy taken out by the bus company. Under the law, the bus was required to have insurance for $5 million; but given the serious injuries that passengers suffered, even $5 million would not be enough. The victims of the crash were forced to testify to seek damages.
For families and victims who survive bus accidents, the physical trauma can last for years; but the financial damage these accidents cause can also be serious. In cases where a bus company is responsible for an accident, the company may be held responsible, in addition to the driver and the insurance company. However, if the company is small, one accident could put it out of business.
To make matters worse, in the case of an accident that occurred in Delaware, passengers claimed that they saw the bus driver eating and talking on his cell phone while driving. Others expressed that they were concerned for their safety due to the driver’s erratic behavior. When the accident was later investigated, it was discovered that the driver had exceeded federal hours of service limits.
For the victims of bus accidents, the trauma can far outlast the accident itself. Some suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Others suffer from permanent disabilities. Others struggle with the loss of a spouse who was also riding on the bus that day. In the case of the Delaware bus accident, for example, the judge found that several of the victims had sustained millions in damages. However, because the insurance policy was not large enough, many victims walked away with much lower settlements.
Crashes involving buses are not uncommon. Just recently, a tour bus driver was found to have run a red light and to have a record of drunk driving. It isn’t clear how he got the job driving the tour bus given that he was fired from the MTA for his prior conviction of drunk driving.
Bus accidents can be devastating for both victims and families. Individuals may have to miss time from work, may face high medical expenses; and may suffer as a result of their injuries. Families may struggle to care for a newly injured loved one and may struggle to make ends meet after a crash.
