Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog
When parents allow their children to take the bus to school, they assume that the bus driver will get their children safely to and from school. Indeed, for the most part, school bus drivers are highly qualified drivers; however, even experienced drivers can occasionally make mistakes.
Earlier this month, a group of Maryland students were involved in a Maryland school bus accident in Schuylkill County. According to a local news report, the accident occurred around 9:45 in the morning as the students were on their way to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. Evidently, the bus was on the highway when the driver noticed that a vehicle ahead had come to a stop. The driver of the bus attempted to swerve around the stopped vehicle, but ended up crashing into a propane tanker.
The bus, which was chartered by the school, contained 52 occupants, including 47 students, the driver, and four adult chaperones. Authorities reported that bus driver and two students sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the accident.
Theories of Liability in Bus Accident Cases
Anyone injured in a Maryland bus accident can pursue a claim for compensation against the responsible parties. There are various theories of liability upon which an accident victim can base their claim. Often, an accident victim can name several parties in a case by relying on different theories of liability.
For example, if a bus driver negligently causes an accident, anyone injured as a result of the bus driver’s negligence can bring a claim against the bus driver. Such a claim would be based on the driver’s primary negligence. However, there may be other parties who can be named under a theory of vicarious liability.
Vicarious liability is a form of secondary liability. Under a theory of vicarious liability, a defendant can be held liable for the actions of a third party if the defendant had the right, ability, to duty to control the third party’s actions. Vicarious liability claims are common in Maryland truck accident cases and similar claims against an at-fault driver who is “on the clock” at the time of the crash. For example, a Maryland school bus accident victim may pursue a claim against the school district if the bus driver was a school district employee. If the bus driver was a contractor, the school district could potentially be primarily liable if the decision to use that particular contractor was negligent.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Bus Accident?
If you or one of your children has recently been injured in a Maryland bus accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for the injuries you or your child has sustained. At the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC, we help injury victims and their children pursue claims for compensation against the parties who are responsible for their injuries. We represent clients across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. To learn more about how we can help you with your situation, call 410-654-3600 to schedule a free consultation today. Calling is risk-free, because we will not bill you for our services unless we are able to help you obtain compensation for your injuries.