The liability of buses, taxis and other companies that engage in the business of shuttling people or goods are governed by special rules regarding liability. These rules cover many different kinds of companies including ocean liners, airlines, bus companies and taxicabs. Usually, you can prove your claim against one of these common carriers by establishing that they were negligent. These rules primarily cover city operated buses.
Negligence is a general body of law that means that someone failed to act in a proper way. Sometimes the proper way means not obeying general rules of civility, like not purposefully crashing into someone. It can also mean that someone, like a bus driver, failed to follow regulatory rules that govern his behavior. A thorough review of these rules is one way in which you may determine if the bus was negligently operated. Usually, they will have rules regarding maintenance, bus driver training, and operation and safety procedures.
There are several ways that you can prove that a particular defendant acted negligently.
- Eyewitness testimony is the firsthand account of the negligent event, like observing a bus driver sneak drinks from a flask.
- Photographs of the accident site to show that environmental or external factors are responsible for the accident, like a bright reflection that blinded the driver.
- Expert testimony is when the accident is reconstructed and analyzed by a professional in order to extrapolate who was at fault.
- Reviewing records is another way to determine if the bus was properly maintained.
If you or a loved one was injured while using a commercial bus then consulting with a lawyer may be a useful step in reviewing your potential rights. Deconstructing the facts of your accident may be complicated, but that does not mean your case is too complex. Know your case and know the process before deciding how to litigate your case.