• March 13, 2019
• CMZ Law
• no comments

Q: Who is liable for injuries in a charter bus accident?

When a motor vehicle accident results in serious personal injuries, it is always tragic, but when a busload of teenagers is involved, it’s particularly devastating.

One minute 40 high school band members and six adults on a charter bus home were dreaming of the Disney trip they had left behind and the next minute they were reportedly flying through the air as the bus ran off the road and plunged 50 feet down a ravine. First responders reportedly had to rappel down and cut some of the victims from the mangled bus. Reportedly, the bus driver was killed and at least 37 of the passengers were hospitalized with “minor two very serious” injuries.

When someone is injured as a result of the negligent, reckless, or intentional actions or inactions of somebody else, the victims may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Once liability is established, compensatory damages may include such things as past and future medical bills including bills for treatment, surgery or rehabilitation, past and future mental anguish of physical pain, physical impairment, physical disfigurement, disability, past and future loss of income and loss of earning capacity.

For those who die as a result of their injuries, their closest surviving relatives—generally a spouse, children, and parents– may be entitled to somewhat similar compensatory damages in a wrongful death lawsuit. Often, the victim’s final medical expenses and funeral costs are recoverable damages. In addition, different damages for losses the relatives suffer from the death of the victim—especially financial losses like lost income and benefits—may be recoverable. But each case is different and a wrongful death attorney can help family members identify which relatives have standing to sue and what type of compensation may be recoverable in their particular case.

In addition to authorities examining the wreckage, an investigation will seek other information regarding the condition of the now-deceased driver at the time of the crash. For example, did he fall asleep, was he impaired or distracted, did he suffer an emergency medical condition, was another vehicle somehow involved in the bus running off the roadway, were the road conditions dangerous, and more. Other important factors are whether there was a mechanical issue with the bus and/or whether the bus was properly inspected for safety in accordance with applicable regulations.

If you or a loved one has been injured, or a loved one has been killed as a result of the negligence of someone else, the skilled attorneys at Chandler, Mathis, and Zivley can help you maximize the compensation to which you may be entitled. Contact us today for a free consultation.

From our offices in Lufkin and Houston, we represent injured victims and their families throughout Texas as well as those injured while visiting Texas.