Buses are relatively safe vehicles, but the results can be catastrophic when they are involved in accidents. This is because buses are large and heavy, and they often carry a lot of passengers. When a bus is involved in an accident, there are often multiple injuries and sometimes even fatalities.
Determining liability in a bus accident can be difficult. Below, we will discuss some difficulties in determining liability in a bus accident.
Too Many Possible Liable Parties
There are a lot of potentially liable parties in a bus accident. The driver, the bus company, the bus manufacturer, and even the municipality that owns the bus could all be held liable. This can make it difficult to determine who is actually at fault.
The driver could be liable if they were driving negligently or recklessly. The bus company could be held liable if the driver was not adequately trained or if the bus was not properly maintained. The bus manufacturer could be held liable if there was a defect in the design or manufacturing of the bus. And the municipality could be held liable if the bus was not properly inspected or if the roads were not in good condition.
Witnesses May Not Be Reliable
In many accidents, witnesses are crucial to determining who is at fault. But in a bus accident, witnesses may not be as reliable, and this makes it hard to prove the liability in a bus accident. This is because many people are often on the bus, and they may all have different versions of what happened. And, even if there are witnesses who are not on the bus, they may not have a clear view of what happened.
Conflicting versions of what happened can make it difficult to determine who is actually at fault.
There May Not Be Much Evidence
In many accidents, physical evidence can be used to determine who is at fault. But in a bus accident, there may not be much evidence. This is because buses are large and often do not leave skid marks or other types of evidence.
The only evidence may be the damage to the bus and the other vehicles involved. And, even this may not be enough to determine who is at fault.
Lack of Cooperation from the Bus Company
The bus company may not be cooperative in an investigation. The company may try to cover up what happened or refuse to hand over evidence. This can make it difficult to determine who is at fault.
They might try to convince the passengers not to talk to investigators, or they may try to influence the driver’s version of events. Or, the company may try to settle with the victims before an investigation can be completed.
Determining liability in a bus accident can be difficult. There are a lot of potentially liable parties, and there may not be much evidence. Witnesses may not be reliable, and the bus company may not cooperate. If you have been involved in a bus accident, it is essential to speak to an experienced attorney who can help you navigate the complexities of the legal system.