When a bus crashes, can passengers claim compensation?

Bus crashes in British Columbia are rare occurrences.  Passengers who choose to ride the bus tend to have peace of mind about the qualifications of the person entrusted to drive the bus and the road worthiness of the bus they are riding in.  Given the consequences of a bus accident, should it happen, it is imperative that bus operators minimize the risk by ensuring drivers and equipment are appropriate for the trip at hand as failure to do so results in the potential to significantly injure or kill many people.  Bus operators and drivers are often held to a higher standard than other drivers on the road and face significant liability when bus accidents occur.

When bus crashes happen, they can be nothing short of horrific.  For example, in December 2012, a tour bus en route to Vancouver, BC from Las Vegas, Nevada was traveling in icy conditions in Oregon when it crashed into a guardrail and tumbled 100 feet (30 metres) down an embankment.  Thirty-eight passengers were injured in the accident and 9 passengers died.  The victims included several residents of British Columbia.

Many victims of the Oregon bus accident suffered multiple injuries including broken bones, soft tissue injuries, collapsed lungs, psychological injuries and probable brain injuries.  The injuries sustained by victims of the accident caused significant amounts of pain, the need for ongoing medical treatment, and a loss of capacity to earn incomes and enjoy life.

Unsurprisingly, many passengers of the Oregon crash filed lawsuits against the driver, Haeng-Kyu Hwang, and the tour bus company, Mi Joo Tour and Travel, as well as the Oregon state government and its Transportation Department to claim compensation for the injuries and damages sustained in the accident.  The damages sought by those injured in the accident and some of the estates of those who perished could total more than $700 million USD.  As of April 8, 2015 the case is still ongoing.

Bus Accident Claims

Making an accident claim after a bus accident (or any accident that involves personal injuries) can be complex.  Details of the accident, the injuries sustained, the medical treatments needed, the impact of the injuries going forward, the insurance coverage available and the laws that apply to the circumstance are all critical to being able to make a claim for fair compensation.  The process can be overwhelming, particularly at a time when the focus needs to be on undergoing treatment for and recovering from the injuries that were sustained in the accident.  It can also be frustrating as sometimes the parties responsible for the accident deny responsibility or fail to provide for the costs of treatment for the injuries sustained – delaying recovery and causing the victim financial hardship.

Contacting a lawyer who knows about the law where the accident happened and who cares about your recovery can make the process of making an accident claim less overwhelming and can ensure that fair compensation for the injuries sustained is realized.  A good lawyer has the attention to detail needed to enable accident victims to focus on their recovery.

The team at League and Williams, specializes in personal injury law in BC and are committed to meeting the needs of their clients by providing exceptional legal services that enable injured victims to focus on their recoveries. We may be contacted via phone at 250-888-0002 or via email at info@leaguelaw.com.