Falling on a Bus Due to Driver Speeding — Who is Liable?

April 10, 2020

If you’ve ever ridden on a bus, then you know how easy it can be to trip, slip or fall. This is especially true when the driver is speeding or breaking too fast. Most buses are equipped with handrails or areas to hold onto, so who is liable for your injuries if you fall on a bus after the driver suddenly accelerated? Do you have the basis to seek out an injury claim against the driver or bus company? Get the answers below.

Do You Have a Personal Injury Case?

If you suffered an injury after riding on a bus, then the first thing you should do is get medical treatment. Make sure to keep records of your doctor’s diagnosis and bill. From there, you should notify the bus owner or company about what happened. It’s advised that you hire legal representation before taking this step to ensure that you have your bases covered.

An attorney will help you determine whether you have the basis of a personal injury claim or not. Here are the basic elements of a bus-related injury claim:

• The bus driver had a duty to provide for your care
• The driver failed to uphold this duty of care
• The driver’s negligence or recklessness directly caused your injury
• Your injury led to specific damages

In most situations, proving the driver had a duty to provide for your care is easy. Whether the bus driver was working for a public or private company, they’re obliged to take reasonable care of their passengers.

It’ll be more difficult to prove that your bus driver was negligent. You and your lawyer can discuss potential evidence like dashcam footage, witness statements and the bus driver’s driving history.

Who is Liable for my Injuries?

Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, there are a number of parties that could be held liable for your injuries including:

• The bus driver
• The company who hired the bus driver
• Another reckless driver that caused the bus to brake or accelerate suddenly
• The bus’s manufacturer

A lawyer will help you investigate exactly what (or who) caused your fall. They’ll also help you collect all the evidence you need to prove your case in court.

Contact a Morristown Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Bus Fall Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a bus fall in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive New Jersey personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Hoyt & Hoyt, PC represent clients injured because of bus falls in Morris County, Middlesex County, Essex County, Sussex County, and throughout New Jersey. Call (973) 718-7744 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 67 East Park Place, 5th Floor, Morristown, as well as offices in New Brunswick.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.