If your child was injured in a school bus accident, you are likely to wonder who could be held accountable. The answer is not as simple as pointing at any particular person because a number of people and government agencies could be at fault, depending on the situation. Keep reading to learn more or contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 to request a free legal consultation with an experienced attorney.
Most Bus Accidents Are the Result of the Negligence of a Person or Entity
In most cases, a bus accident happens when a person or entity is reckless or negligent. This could be the bus company owner, or the operator of the bus. In some cases, a person who was not directly negligent in causing the accident might be at fault, such as the employer of a bus driver.
Potentially Liable Parties
The person or group at fault for any particular accident will depend on the specifics of the case. Defendants could include the bus driver, their supervisor, the operator of a tour bus, the school bus operator, the charter bus operator, other vehicles on the road, the company that maintained the bus, city, county, or state agencies, the owner of the bus, the property owner where a bus stop is located, the company that manufactured the bus, and companies that manufactured the bus parts.
Note that there is often more than one party at fault for these cases. It might even be that the victim was partially at fault. Due to the comparative fault laws in California, the plaintiff is able to legally recover damages even if they share part of the fault. That said, the damages will be lowered by their share of fault.
How to Prove Negligence in a School Bus Accident
It is not enough to show that you or your child suffered an injury on a school bus. You must also prove that the defendant was legally negligent. This requires proving that the defendant owed the injured party a duty of care, that said defendant breached said duty of care, and that the breach either caused or was a substantial factor in the injuries of the victim.
Find Out What Your Legal Options Are
If you or a loved one has been the victim of this type of accident, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas now at 909-982-0707 to request a free legal consultation. We will take the time to understand your case, the injuries involved, and the parties involved. We can then determine what your next legal step should be.
