Who is Liable for a Bus Accident in Alaska?
Many people think that bus passengers are the ones most likely to suffer serious injuries in a crash, but statistics prove this assumption wrong. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 75% of fatalities and injuries affect victims who are not on the bus. Approximately 19,500 people are hurt in bus accidents while driving a vehicle, traveling as a passenger, walking, or riding a motorcycle or bicycle. Plus, around 175 non-passenger individuals are killed in bus crashes every year.
Under Alaska personal injury laws, you have rights if you were hurt or lost someone close to you because of a bus collision. The key to recovering compensation is liability by potential parties, and there may be more than one. Any person or entity that breached the duty to drive safely could be liable, so it is important to pursue all parties that played a role. Your Anchorage bus accident lawyer will review your circumstances and determine how to proceed, though some background is also helpful.
Potential Parties in Alaska Bus Crash Claims
You may not be a passenger on the bus, but you still have remedies whenever a negligent party had a hand in causing a collision. Depending on the specific situation, you may need to pursue the following:
- Government Agencies: Some city and regional buses are operated by public agencies, such as Anchorage’s People Mover. In such a case, you would seek compensation from a government body.
- Private Operators: Anchorage is a popular tourist destination, so buses are crucial for getting visitors to and from the airport, ferry docks, cruise terminals, and other areas. Plus, many people charter buses for weddings, corporate retreats, and other special events. The private company may be liable for a bus crash.
- Tour Company: There are many travel agencies and tour operators that use their own bus fleet to transport visitors for glacier viewing, national park visits, hiking, and sightseeing.
- Motorcoach Bus Lines: You will not find Greyhound, but other regional bus operators take passengers between Anchorage and Fairbanks, Glennallen, and other drivable destinations.
Damages Available for Bus Accident Victims
Your losses are considerable, so it is logical to pursue all potential parties to ensure you receive fair compensation. Some of your losses are economic in nature, so you may qualify to obtain amounts for emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, and other medical treatment. If you missed work, you could claim lost wages as well.
Other losses after a bus accident are personal and subjective, so they do not have a dollar value. The primary impact is a diminished quality of life. Noneconomic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and scarring and disfigurement.
Discuss Liability With an Alaska Bus Accident Attorney Today
If you were affected by a bus crash, legal representation is critical for recovering the compensation you deserve. For more information on potential parties in your case, please contact Power & Power Law. You can call 907-222-9990 or visit our website to set up a no-cost case review at our Anchorage, AK, offices.