Non-Traffic Bus Accidents in Alaska and the Risk of Harm to Passengers
Traveling by bus is one of the safest ways to get around, especially compared to other methods of motor vehicle transportation. While there is a total of around 43,000 people killed every year in traffic collisions, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that just 260 of them are bus crash fatalities. There are also approximately 14,000 bus collisions that cause injuries to more than 27,000 victims. However, what the data leaves out is exactly how these casualties occurred. Not all bus accidents involve another vehicle, and many incidents lead to injuries even when the bus is not moving.
Fortunately, Alaska personal injury laws cover bus accidents resulting from a wide array of factors. The key is being able to prove negligence on behalf of the at-fault party, which is a specific theory of liability in the practice of law. AnAnchorage bus crash attorney will guide you through the legal process, collect evidence of negligence, and develop a legal strategy to ensure you receive fair compensation. An overview of bus accidents having nothing to do with traffic is also helpful.
Common Non-Moving Bus Accidents
A bus is massive in terms of cubic feet, riding high off the ground and encompassing numerous features for safe operation. Even when stopped, there are some risks for passengers on and around the bus. For instance:
- The floors could be slick from weather conditions, leading to slip and fall injuries for passengers.
- There may be hazards related to the stairs, depending on the machinery involved with letting passengers on. Loose railings and broken steps could pose a threat as passengers embark and disembark.
- There are typically two doors on a city bus, and there can be challenges for drivers as they operate them for passengers getting on and off. By closing the door too soon or forcefully, a person’s arm could be caught.
- Violent crime may occur on the bus, and passengers could be seriously injured or killed through criminal activity.
Potential Parties
When someone is hurt in a non-traffic bus accident, you will obviously not be pointing the finger at another motorist. Instead, you would pursue at-fault parties based upon their role in causing the incident. Based upon the examples mentioned above:
- A bus driver could be held accountable for not cleaning up slippery floors, but the claim would typically be against the bus company as an employer.
- The bus company could also be liable for failing to properly maintain the equipment, machinery, and fixtures, leading to safety hazards.
- If the equipment is defective because of a design or manufacturing flaw, you could have a claim against the manufacturer.
- It is up to the companies operating buses to take proper precautions to prevent criminal activity, so you could have a claim based upon inadequate security.
Count on an Alaska Bus Accident Lawyer to Assist With the Process
For more information on your rights and remedies after any bus accident, please contact Power & Power Law. You can call 907-222-9990 or reach out online to set up a no-cost case evaluation at our offices in Anchorage, Alaska.