A Los Angeles school bus with 30 children on board was recently involved in a Reseda crash. Fortunately, no one involved in the school bus crash was killed or suffered life-threatening injuries. However, at least three people – including passengers of other vehicles – were transported to a local hospital for immediate medical care.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Anyone who suffered an injury in the car crash may be entitled to an award of monetary damages from whoever is ultimately responsible for the incident.
Liability for School Bus Accidents
Who could potentially be held responsible for injuries suffered in a Los Angeles school bus accident? California law operates under the rule of comparative fault. This means that anyone who contributes to the cause of an accident or injury can be held financially responsible for damages. When more than one person/party is to blame, each is held liable to the degree they contributed to the crash.
School Bus Driver
In order to operate a school bus, drivers must obtain a special Commercial Driver’s License with special authorizations. This license can only be obtained by those individuals who complete certain training measures. Once the license is obtained, school bus drivers have an obligation to “do all that human care, vigilance, and foresight” can reasonably do under the circumstances to prevent harm to passengers. This duty goes above and beyond the level of care that must be demonstrated by other drivers on the road.
When a school bus driver acts negligently, they may be held financially responsible for injuries sustained by his/her passengers or others involved in a crash.
School/Employer
The school bus driver’s employer has a legal obligation to ensure that the driver is properly trained and supervised. Schools must keep a close eye on their drivers, have routine meetings to address any concerns, and do everything in their power to hire the best possible candidates. Failure to ensure that drivers can do their jobs safely can result in liability.
Bus Manufacturer
What happens if an accident is the result of a vehicle malfunction? Perhaps the driver did everything in his or her power to prevent a crash, but a defect in the bus was too much to overcome. Companies that are responsible for putting vehicles on the road can be held strictly liable for injuries caused by defects in those vehicles. This applies to companies that design, manufacture, distribute, and/or sell buses.
Third Party Drivers
Some drivers become very aggressive when they share the road with a school bus. Drivers become impatient and try to sneak ahead of the bus to avoid getting “stuck” behind the large vehicle. These third-party drivers frequently cause school bus accidents. Buses do not have the ability to stop on a dime or navigate as swiftly as smaller vehicles. As a result, accidents happen. These third-party drivers can be held responsible for school bus accident damages.
Government Agencies
The government is responsible for maintaining its roads and highways. When roads contain hazardous or dangerous conditions, accidents are more likely to happen. If a government knew or should have known about a dangerous condition, but failed to resolve the hazard, it can be liable for damages.
Injured in a Bus Crash? We Can Help.
Have you been injured in a Los Angeles bus accident? Have you recently lost a loved one because of an unexpected school bus accident? Contact the Los Angeles Accident Law Center for help. Our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you get the money you deserve after an accident. The financial award you recover can help to pay for costly medical bills, make up for lost wages, and compensate for the emotional toll of the accident.
You only have a limited amount of time to file a claim, so do not hesitate to call us now.