Charter Bus Accidents

In 2014, more than 872,000 buses were in use across the country. That same year, there were 233 fatalities and thousands of injuries caused by crashes involving buses of all types, including school buses. In these crashes, injuries included whiplash and spinal cord injuries from the sudden impact of the collision, broken bones or fractures from being thrown from their seats, and head injuries, lacerations, and cuts from hitting the window. Charter bus crash victims may require extensive hospitalization, surgery, or rehabilitation, and they may suffer permanent disfigurement, scarring, or disability as a result of the accident.

Who is responsible for your medical bills and other losses following a charter bus accident? That will depend on whose negligence caused the accident. Typically, the negligent party will be legally and financially responsible for the collision. To prove negligence you will need to show that a driver breached a duty of care to you that caused your injuries and losses. If the bus driver was at fault, then you may be able to pursue a claim against the bus driver and owner. Typically, the charter bus company will be vicariously liable for any accidents caused by drivers transporting passengers. Further, most bus drivers and their employers are subject to regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

What happens if the bus driver was not at fault for an accident in Memphis or the surrounding areas? Suppose a car rear-ended the bus, injuring 25 passengers on the bus. A major issue in many bus accident cases is too little insurance. Passenger vehicles in most southern states are only required to carry $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in liability insurance coverage, and if this amount has to be split among all 25 injured claimants, it may not even come close to adequately compensating each victim for his or her losses.

In some cases, the charter bus company may carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage that could pay additional sums to accident victims. If the charter bus company does not carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, you would have to file a claim under your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if you have that coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is generally not required of motorists, so it is up to the individual driver to decide whether to purchase this optional coverage.