Spring Valley Bus Accident Lawyer
Intercity buses, municipal buses, and specialty buses, like party buses, tour buses, and school buses, transport thousands of people every day in Las Vegas. From an injury standpoint, when these buses crash, the crashes are serious. Passengers are usually unrestrained and these vehicles are usually bigger by far than anything else on the road. These claims are also complex from a legal standpoint. For example, the victims usually hail from different counties. So, these claims have unique venue and jurisdiction issues.
An experienced Spring Valley bus accident lawyer from Cameron Law knows how to deal with these issues. Attorneys quickly connect victims with top-notch doctors who usually charge nothing upfront for their services. Therefore, victims get the medical care they need, as opposed to the medical care they can afford. Additionally, an experienced lawyer knows how to handle complex legal issues, so when the case goes to court, victims are well-positioned to obtain maximum compensation for their serious injuries.
Bus Driver Safety Responsibilities
Bus drivers have stricter licensing requirements than noncommercial drivers. Furthermore, in most cases, bus drivers haul passengers and/or cargo for profit. Therefore, these individuals usually have a higher duty of care in Nevada.
The duty of utmost care includes an affirmative duty to avoid wrecks. For example, on one of those rare rainy days in Las Vegas, noncommercial drivers have a legal duty to slow down and be more careful. Arguably, commercial operators have a duty to stop until the rain stops or slacks off, because of the higher duty of care.
Bus drivers have basically the same proactive duty of care regarding on-board injuries. The driver, or another bus company employee, has a duty to address injury hazards, like wet spots in the aisle or violent arguments between passengers, before someone gets hurt.
The higher duty of care has clear implications for your damages claim. Since the duty of care is higher, it’s easier for a Spring Valley bus accident lawyer to establish negligence, or a lack of care, in court.
Liability Issues and Spring Valley Bus Accident Lawyers
Because of the dual duty of care, distracted driving is a serious issue among bus drivers. Frequently, these drivers must multitask behind the wheel, in order to fulfill all their responsibilities and also act as tour guides. Fatigued operation is an issue as well. Most people are naturally drowsy early in the morning and late at night. Many bus drivers are behind the wheel at these times.
If distraction, fatigue, or other negligence causes a wreck, the company that owned the bus is usually financially responsible for damages. These damages usually include compensation for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.
Comparative fault is one of the most common defenses in both on-board and vehicle collision claims. Essentially, comparative fault shifts accident blame from one party to another. For example, if a bus passenger slips and falls on a wet spot, the insurance company might argue the victim didn’t watch where s/he was going.
If such a fact pattern arises, jurors must divide responsibility on a percentage basis. Nevada is a modified comparative fault state with a 51 percent threshold. So, if the victim was no more than 49 percent responsible for the injury, the tortfeasor must pay a proportionate share of damages.
Rely on an Experienced Spring Valley Bus Accident Lawyer
Injury victims are usually entitled to substantial compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced Spring Valley bus accident lawyer, contact Cameron Law. We do not charge upfront legal fees in these matters.
