| Both students riding school buses and those who take public transportation are at risk for an Alabama bus accident. Bus travel is generally thought to be significantly safer than automobile travel – the state of Alabama notes that students who ride on buses are over 280 times less likely to be injured in an auto accident than riders in any other vehicle, and a study by the National Bus Safety Council between 1987 and 1996 noted 4.3 passenger fatalities per year, a figure that pales in comparison to the over 44,000 passenger fatalities due to automobile accidents during the same period. However safe bus track records, the occasional bus crash can have disastrous consequences. This is especially true for automobile drivers who are injured in collisions with buses, though passengers also face risks during bus transportation.
Who Regulates Alabama Bus Accidents?
While the federal government regulates buses that cross state lines as part of the Interstate Commerce Act, the state of Alabama regulates buses that operate solely within state lines. However, liability for Alabama bus accidents can be confusing territory due to federal laws governing “common carriers,” or an entity that claims to transport people for monetary compensation. Federal laws regulating common carriers are often more stringent than normal personal injury laws. Alabama common carriers are required to practice the highest possible standard of care when they transport passengers; as such, they may be required to cover damages incurred while riding a bus.
In general, Alabama bus accidents that involve a motor vehicle and a bus are covered by the same Alabama laws that cover other motor vehicle accidents. However, due to factors including differing ownership and operation of the bus, determining responsibility in an Alabama bus accident may be complicated. It is best to seek the assistance and advice of an experienced Alabama bus accident attorney to determine who may be at fault in a bus accident.
If You Pursue An Alabama Bus Accident Claim
If you decide to pursue a claim against a bus carrier for a personal injury sustained while riding a bus or in connection with a bus crashing into your motor vehicle, enlist the help of an experienced Alabama bus accident lawyer. Your lawyer can help you negotiate the often confusing territory of dealing with various entities such as insurance companies, bus owners, operating firms and others. Your lawyer can evaluate the merits of your case using his or her specialized knowledge of Alabama personal injury law as you determine whether or not to file a lawsuit.
With the help of experts in bus accidents, your Alabama bus accident attorney can help to determine who was at fault in the accident. Your lawsuit can help you obtain monetary compensation for injuries, pain and suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and future medical care connected with the bus accident. Before meeting with your Alabama bus accident attorney, collect as much information as you can about your own accident, including police reports, insurance claim forms, and your own notes or correspondence about the incident.
To have your case evaluated by an experienced Alabama bus accident lawyer, fill out our case evaluation form. There is no cost and no obligation.
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