Wrongful Death in Bus and Transit Accidents

Buses and other forms of public transit are a convenient and affordable way to travel. It is also relatively safe. However, accidents do happen. When they do, the size of the transit vehicle and large volume of passengers can make them especially devastating. In fact, bus and transit accidents often result in the death of passengers, pedestrians, or other motorists. If someone you love was killed in a transit accident, know what your rights are and how to effectively pursue compensation for your loss.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 3,978 fatal crashes involving large trucks (including commercial transport trucks) and buses in 2013, the most recent year for which data is available. Of those, more than 200 could be directly attributed to buses. Intercity buses accounted for 13 percent of these fatal bus accidents, school buses accounted for 41 percent, and transit buses accounted for 33 percent.

At first glance, these numbers might seem relatively small. However, when you factor in that any given crash can have multiple fatalities, the full weight of a bus crash becomes much heavier. For example, a school bus crash from 1995 killed seven high school students and hospitalized at least nine. In another, a charter bus, which was driving through California at the time, recently killed four passengers and injured several others when it crashed. There are countless others, many with multiple deaths and even more injuries.

Whereas an auto accident often only has one negligent party (there are exceptions, of course), bus and transit accidents may have multiple negligent parties. The driver may have made an error in judgement, fallen asleep, or driven intoxicated. The company responsible for hiring and monitoring the drivers may have failed to perform a background check or ensure drivers were not working too long of a shift. The company that maintains the bus may have failed to notice a serious problem that eventually led to a crash. Then there are other motorists, such as a driver that cuts in front of the bus or runs a red light.

When a victim is fatally injured in a crash caused by negligence, the surviving family has the right to seek compensation. Unfortunately, the complexity of these cases can make it extremely difficult for them to navigate the claims process on their own. This is where Corsiglia, McMahon & Allard, LLP can help. Dedicated to helping your family seek justice and a fair settlement, we put our knowledge, experience, and resources to work for you. We strive to make the process as smooth as possible and fight to achieve justice. Contact our San Jose personal injury lawyers to learn more. Call (408) 289-1417 today.

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