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In Las Vegas, we see our fair share of bus traffic, from the RTC to tourism and charter buses coming from other areas of the United States. And although our public transportation systems are relatively safe, buses, in general, have their own inherent dangers.
A Greyhound bus headed to Las Vegas from Utah recently veered off the highway and rolled over, injuring twenty passengers. While it is still unknown what caused this particular bus to crash, buses have specific design issues that can make them top-heavy and subject to rollover crashes than lower-profile vehicles.
In fact, just this week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Department of Transportation ruled on improvements to bus safety, specifically focusing on seat belt requirements, improved rollover structural integrity, emergency evaluation capability, and fire safety.
Unique Injuries Sustained By Passengers in Bus Accident
Like injuries sustained in any other motor vehicle accident, bus accidents can cause a wide range of injuries such as fractures, traumatic brain injuries, whiplash, and even fatalities. But because of the higher center of gravity on these vehicles and their tendency to roll over, those who are injured as passengers in bus accidents can be subject to unique injuries.
Until this new ruling, most buses didn’t have seat belt or other safety restraint requirements. Without restraints, passengers may be easily ejected from their seats in an accident. Objects and possessions are often held by passengers, which further increases the risk of being injured by a projectile during an accident.
Consequently, injuries sustained by bus passengers are often worse than those suffered by passengers in other vehicles in a typical accident.
Unique Legal Issues When Navigating a Bus Injury Claim
Depending on the cause of the accident, who is at fault, and who owns the bus, there can be further unique complications when it comes to getting compensation for damages. In a typical motor vehicle accident, injured parties will typically look to the insurance company of the at-fault party for compensation for their injuries. But in a bus accident, depending on who was at-fault for the accident and who owns the bus, getting compensated for injuries may be trickier.
Someone who is injured in a bus accident in Las Vegas may be able to bring an injury claim against the bus company, the bus driver, the controlling agency, a third-party, or even the bus manufacturer. If the bus is privately owned, a claim may be filed with the bus company’s insurance carrier.
But municipal and school buses are government-owned, and requirements for filing a claim will be different. This is why it is critical to have an experienced Las Vegas personal injury attorney assisting you if you have been injured in a bus accident.
Getting Legal Assistance After a Bus Accident in Las Vegas
If you have been injured in a bus accident in Las Vegas, you should not try to navigate a claim on your own. At LV Personal Injury Lawyers, we will investigate the cause of the accident to determine all potential points of liability to ensure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries.
Contact us or call us at (702) 800-4660 to discuss your case.
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