Even when they are not carrying their full capacity of passengers, commercial and municipal buses are large vehicles that can cause significant damage to any commuter car they collide with. When an accident occurs at high speeds, buses may collect multiple other vehicles during a skid or even roll over multiple times, resulting in catastrophic harm to potentially dozens of people at once.
Filing Suit Against a Private Bus Company
State law classifies private commercial buses as “common carriers,” which means operators of these vehicles have an even greater responsibility to act safely behind the wheel than other drivers. In addition to following normal traffic laws and maintaining awareness of their surroundings, bus drivers must also:
- Remain physically and mentally able to perform their job well
- Ensure their passengers can board and disembark safely
- Keep a safe distance away from other vehicles at all times.
If a bus driver does anything reckless or careless that constitutes a violation of this duty, their employer may bear civil liability for the consequences of any accident that results. Additionally, companies that own and/or operate commercial buses may be directly at fault for wrecks caused by issues like faulty maintenance, negligent hiring practices, and unreasonable working conditions that compel drivers to work while fatigued. In some situations, fault for an accident involving a commercial bus may not lie with the driver or owner of that bus. For example, if someone in a commuter car runs a red light and gets in a crash with a bus driver who was fulfilling their duty of care, a Lewisville attorney could help file a settlement demand or lawsuit against the negligent third-party driver, rather than the bus driver or their employer.
