Nashville Bus Accident Attorney

In a span of only three years, there were 689 commercial bus crashes in Davidson County – more than in all other counties in Tennessee combined for the same years. Just last year, a school bus driver in Knoxville caused the deaths of two students and a teacher’s aide from texting and driving.

Bus accidents are especially frightening and traumatic, because people assume public transportation is safe and never expect the driver to act negligently. However, bus drivers are people too, and unfortunately that means they are liable to make mistakes. If you’ve been involved in a Nashville bus accident on a city bus, school bus, charter bus, party bus, or shuttle bus, the Nashville injury lawyers at Larry R. Williams can help defend your case and win compensation.

Causes of Bus Accidents

Bus accidents can take many shapes and forms, from a bus taking a curve too sharply and flipping to a bus colliding with other vehicles or stationary objects. In most of these cases, driver negligence is to blame. Driving under the influence, distracted driving, texting and driving, and drowsy driving all contribute to the high number of crashes in the Nashville area, and have led to passenger and pedestrian fatalities.

In other cases, system or part failure causes bus accidents. All public transportation vehicles must follow certain rules and standards of safety, including passing inspections and daily engine checks. If a maintenance team skipped or improperly performed an inspection check, it could lead to the bus breaking down at a dangerous moment.

Other causes of accidents in Nashville include hours of service violations, inadequate driver surveillance, and brake failure. Most bus accidents, however, happen due to driver negligence and are completely preventable. When drivers don’t exercise safe judgment on the roadway, they put their passengers at risk. If driver negligence causes injuries to the passengers, there are serious legal consequences.

Who is Responsible for Injuries in a Bus Accident?

Since most buses are not privately owned, bus accident victims are usually eligible to file a lawsuit against the company that owns the bus. This could include the school district of a school bus, the state or local government, or another bus company. If the bus accident occurred because of driver negligence, victims can sue the driver as well. If a defective part or maintenance issue caused the crash, a judge could hold the bus maintenance company or bus manufacturer responsible.

If a driver caused the accident by not paying attention to his or her surroundings, texting and driving, running red lights, driving under the influence, falling asleep, or other such behaviors, they are responsible for covering any damages and personal injury compensation. If, however, it is partially the fault of the bus company (i.e., the company is understaffed and the driver worked too long), a victim could receive compensation from both parties.

Bus Accident Attorney Near Me

Larry R. Williams, Jonathan Williams, and their team of personal injury attorneys want every individual who has been injured in a Nashville area bus accident to receive the professional care and legal representation they deserve. We’ve served seriously injured victims of bus accidents, including pedestrians or bicyclists who have been injured by buses. If you want help from local personal injury and accident experts, contact Larry R. Williams, PLLC, to speak with one of our experienced representatives about your case.

Our Nashville attorneys will meet with you to discuss the details of the accident and take the necessary steps to bring your case to trial. We have served the citizens of middle Tennessee for more than 35 years and have handled many bus accident cases. Don’t settle for anything less than passionate, aggressive personal injury attorneys when it comes to taking a stand against negligent bus drivers or companies. Call us today at (615) 256-8880 for a free consultation.