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The Importance of Duty of Care in a Bus Accident Claim

News / September 23, 2022

Whether you’re a passenger on the bus, a pedestrian, or someone in a vehicle involved in a bus accident, if you’ve been injured, you need to determine if you can file a personal injury claim. Depending on the severity of your injuries or property damage, filing a personal injury claim is one of the few options to recover enough compensation to help you cover the financial burdens incurred because of the accident. 

At Hollis Law Firm, we understand how complicated bus accident claims can be and are proud to help guide our clients through the process. Our personal injury lawyer fights to protect our clients’ rights and seek out fair compensation. Feel confident that someone is fighting for your best interests by contacting us today.

What Is Duty of Care in a Bus Accident Claim?

One of the core elements of a personal injury case is duty of care. Legally speaking, duty of care is the legal concept that everyone has a duty to act reasonably to avoid hurting other people physically, mentally, or financially. When people fail to meet this legal standard, they can be considered liable for the harm they cause. If a party is considered liable, then they are responsible for covering some or all of the damages owed to the claimant. 

Duty of Care for Common Carriers

The duty to act reasonably to avoid harming others applies in most situations. However, in certain situations, the law imposes a higher degree of duty of care. For instance, common carriers, which is a legal term for people or businesses that provide public transportation, owe a higher degree of care than the average person.

An average driver isn’t typically violating their duty of care while talking with one of their passengers. However, if a bus driver is talking with a passenger and they get into an accident, then the bus company and the bus driver may be considered liable since they are held to a higher degree of care and may be liable for even a slight violation or breach of duty. 

Establishing duty of care is always vital in a personal injury claim, as it creates a legal connection between the negligent party and the injured individual. It’s the duty of care that creates the legal grounds for the claimant to be able to file a claim against the at-fault party. 

Duty of Care Complexities in Bus Accidents

When a bus accident occurs, more than one party can be liable because there are multiple levels of duty of care, from the bus driver to the bus company to a third-party driver or pedestrian. Therefore, it’s essential to understand who owes you a duty of care to know who to file your claim against and who may be held liable for your injuries. 

Contact an Experienced Bus Accident Lawyer Today

Going up against a commercial bus company or a municipality can seem daunting, but you can even the playing field with the right lawyer. At Hollis Law Firm, we are committed to helping our clients pursue favorable outcomes. Our skilled personal injury lawyer can guide you through the process and keep you updated so that you know exactly what is going on with your claim. 

Hollis Law Firm helps injured accident victims recover the compensation they are owed. Regardless of the injuries you have sustained, our personal injury lawyer has the knowledge and experience to help you recover. Contact us today to schedule a consultation by filling out our contact form or calling (800) 701-3672.