A Greyhound bus flipped on its side and crashed on a rainy highway in San Jose, killing two female passengers and injuring more than a dozen others this morning. The bus left Los Angeles on Monday night and was heading to stops in downtown San Jose and San Francisco en route to Oakland when the bus accident occurred on Highway 101.
Our thoughts and condolences go out the families of the deceased passengers, and to those injured in the accident. The San Jose Greyhound bus crash is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol and the National Transportation Safety Board. Initial press reports stated that the Greyhound bus driver fell asleep.
What Are The Legal Rights Of Passengers Injured Or Killed In Bus Accidents?
Greyhound bus company is considered a common carrier under California law. Common carriers are individuals or organizations that charge to carry passengers or systems or equipment that carries passengers as part of a business operation open to the public.
Common carriers are required by law to use the highest degree of care and vigilance to ensure the safety of their passengers. They also are required under the law to provide vehicles that are safe and fit to transport passengers. This is a much higher level of duty than the “reasonable care” standard required of normal motorists.
Passengers injured in an accident involving a common carrier have the right to file a lawsuit and seek compensation for their damages, which can include:
- Past and future physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and physical impairment;
- Past and future medical, incidental and hospital expenses;
- Past and future loss of earnings and earning capacity; and
- Punitive damages for gross negligence.
In the case of the death of a passenger, California law permits his or her spouse and children (or parents if the deceased was unmarried and did not have children) to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the common carrier.
Contact The Dolan Law Firm
For over 20 years, the Dolan Law Firm has assisted injured persons and the families of loved ones who died due to the fault of others obtain just compensation. We have successfully prosecuted numerous bus driver negligence and common carrier accident lawsuits.
We have obtained over $200 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients in the San Francisco Bay Area and across California. Firm founder Christopher Dolan has been repeatedly recognized by multiple legal publications as one of top trial lawyers in California.
The Dolan Law Firm possesses the experience, skills, and resources to full investigate and successfully litigate your case. For free, prompt, and no obligation evaluation of your case, please contact us by email or call us toll free at 888-452-4752.
