Bus Accident Lawyer Philadelphia Pennsylvania

In big cities like Philadelphia, buses have become an increasingly popular method of transportation for many people. People enjoy taking the bus because it is very convenient and it helps them avoid crowded highways and traffic in general. However, as busing has become more popular, and the number of bus passengers has increased, so too has the number of bus related accidents. Thus, in 2010, there were 599 commercial bus crashes in Pennsylvania.

A bus is defined by the Federal Motor Vehicle Standards as any motorized vehicle capable of carrying more than 10 passengers. The category includes school buses, large vans used for public transport, church buses, charter buses, tour buses, double decker buses, municipal transit buses, airport shuttles, tour buses, trolleys and interstate carriers, such as Greyhound buses, Mega buses, Pennsylvania Coach Lines buses, Susquehanna Trailways buses, Myers Coach Lines buses, Short Line Buses and many other bus lines. Most of these buses are considered "common carriers" under the law, and are therefore subject to state and federal licensing requirements and other regulations. Usually, Pennsylvania state law will determine if bus companies and others are liable for compensating a passenger for injuries sustained in a bus crash.

A bus crash can happen in many different ways and often the injured passengers need to know who is responsible for their injuries and other damages. Soon after the collision it is important for a Pennsylvania bus accident lawyer to identify potentially liable parties, such as the owner of the bus, the company that operates it, and the company responsible for making repairs and maintaining the bus in a safe mechanical condition. After you have been injured in a bus crash, finding a Pennsylvania personal injury attorney who will locate all potential responsible parties is of the utmost importance. Parties responsible for a bus accident may be:

Bus Driver/Operator - Bus collisions are often caused by the negligent operation of the bus. Bus drivers may violate traffic controls, speed limits, they may fall asleep at the wheel or get distracted by speaking on a cell phone, eating, texting on a cell phone, playing with the radio or speaking with the passengers. Bus drivers involved in a bus crash can be held personally responsible for the injuries sustained by the passengers while the companies employing the bus driver, and their insurance companies, will typically be held financially responsible for bus crashes and injuries.

The Bus Company/The Owner of the Fleet – If the bus company sends a defective bus out in the road, it may be liable in a bus collision lawsuit. A bus with faulty brakes, defective steering column or bald tires may present a potential danger while on the road. In addition, the bus company is responsible for hiring only qualified drivers, maintenance and other personnel. If it fails to do so or if it fails to provide adequate training and supervising to its employees, it may also contribute to the cause of a bus accident. In addition, the bus company may be found at fault for a bus crash and passenger injuries caused by its failure to make or enforce adequate safety procedures.

Bus repair Shops/Bus Maintenance Companies - Often the bus company contracts an independent company to periodically inspect and maintain the buses in a safe mechanical condition. That company may be sued independently for negligent maintenance or inspection that causes a bus crash.

Manufacturers of the Bus and/or its Parts - A bus manufacturer owes a duty of care to those who rely on its products. If a bus manufacturer produces a defective bus and sells it, it subjects bus passengers to unreasonable danger and potential harm resulting from bus collisions. In the event that a bus manufacturer sends a defective bus to the marketplace, it can be held responsible for damages when a bus crash occurs. Similarly, the manufacturers and retailers of defective bus parts that may have caused the bus accident could be liable for the injuries to the bus passengers.

Governmental Agencies - Local governmental agencies, cities and counties, may also bear responsibility for bus injuries sustained by innocent passengers. If the bus collision involved a government-owned transit bus and the cause of the incident was negligence of the driver or of a city worker performing his employment duties, the passenger or other injured parties may file a claim against the governmental unit responsible for the accident.

Cities, counties and departments of transportation may be responsible for creating dangerous road condition that caused the bus crash. Responsibility here depends on the extent to which the law allows recovery from such government entities, and the degree of government responsibility in creating or failing to fix the dangerous road condition that contributed to the bus crash. Cases against cities, counties and states are difficult because governmental immunity may apply. With the help of an experienced bus crash attorney, bus crash victims may recover compensation from governmental agencies and units.

Tour and Charter Bus Companies/Operators – Drivers, as well as owners of such buses may be liable if their actions were negligent. When a bus trip was offered by a tour company, the service itself may be responsible for damages to passengers when a bus crash occurs in an affiliated tour bus.

Other Motorists and Companies Employing Them – if a bus accident involves a collision with another vehicle, the other driver may be at fault. If his or her fault is proven, he or she may be held responsible for bus accident injuries sustained by the passengers. A driver's employer may also be held liable for a bus accident if the driver was operating the bus while performing work duties.

The Lassen Law Firm works for 29% fee and offers expert legal service for bus accident victims.

It is important that the bus collision lawyer you choose to represent your interests is experienced in the state and federal laws and regulations governing all types of bus service providers. It is important to determine if violation of Pennsylvania or federal laws caused your bus collision. It is very important for a lawyer handling these cases to ensure that all potential sources of compensation are pursued.

Personal Injury Lawyer Pennsylvania

Retaining investigators and well-respected experts to investigate the causes of your bus crash is another area an experienced Pennsylvania bus collision attorney will do. If it appears that your bus accident may have been caused by a dangerous road condition, your bus accident attorney will hire expert civil and traffic engineers to identify the road deficiency that led to your bus crash. Dedicated and reliable accident lawyers will invest the necessary time, resources and efforts to ensure that your case is resolved for its maximum value.

The Lassen Law Firm is one of the leading Philadelphia personal injury law firms. We work for clients who sustained personal injuries resulting from bus collisions. If you have been injured in a bus crash, call the Lassen Law Firm to see how we can help.

The Lassen Law Firm only deducts a 29% contingency fee, not the standard 45% like other firms. We serve ALL of Pennsylvania. We can sign you up over the phone and start working on your case today.

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Authored by: Christian Lassen