When most people hear the term bus accident, they think of a collision with another vehicle. While those types of crashes certainly occur, there are far more ways that you can potentially be harmed on a bus. Here are the different types of bus accident claims that could make you eligible to receive compensation.
Different Types of Bus Accident Claims | Getting On/Off the Bus
A bus driver or busing company starts being responsible for your safety as soon as you attempt to get on the bus. That responsibility continues until you are safely off the bus. If you slip and fall while getting on or off the vehicle, the bus driver, busing company, or another party could be responsible for that fall. The most common example of this type of situation is if the driver parks the bus in an unsafe location, making it especially dangerous for you to enter or exit. This could include parking over a pothole, large puddle, or an uneven surface.
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Different Types of Bus Accident Claims | Harmed While on the Bus
You don’t have to be involved in a collision to suffer an injury as a passenger on the bus. For example, imagine that the bus driver was texting and managed to look up just in time to slam the brakes and avoid an accident. While the bus didn’t crash into another vehicle, the impact could have forced you to hit the seat in front of you, caused debris to fly through the aisle, or resulted in severe whiplash. The bus driver would clearly be at fault in this type of situation and would likely have to pay for any injuries a passenger experienced.
Different Types of Bus Accident Claims | Injured by Another Person or Malfunction
There may be circumstances where you are harmed by a third-party, such as a violent passenger. However, those situations are rare. The more likely scenario involves a bus malfunction or poorly maintained equipment causing an injury. For example, if the flooring is uneven or a bolt is loose and it directly results in you getting hurt, the busing company may be responsible for any damages you suffer.
If you or a loved one has been injured by any type of bus accident, please contact our experienced Edmonds bus accident lawyer today to arrange a free consultation.