Bus services like Greyhound can be convenient for long-distance travel in California and across the U.S. However, passengers are highly vulnerable to injuries in the event of an accident due to lack of seatbelts, people standing, and the size of the vehicle. If you suffer injuries in a Greyhound bus accident, you have special protection due to the bus’s common carrier status. At Callahan & Blaine, we can help you understand your rights as a bus passenger and your legal options to secure compensation.
With a 40-year legacy and a robust team of 29 experienced lawyers, we have achieved record breaking results for our clients, including the largest personal injury settlement in U.S. history, worth $50 million. With this commitment to excellence and dedication, you can trust us to take on your claim. We take a personalized approach, creating nuanced strategies tailored to your unique needs as an injured bus passenger, giving you the best chance of achieving a successful outcome.
Common Carrier Status and How It Protects Greyhound Bus Passengers
Greyhound bus accident claims can be complex because these vehicles are considered common carriers. The details of this status and how it can impact your claim include the following:
What Is a Common Carrier?
According to California law, a common carrier is a person or business that offers to transport people or property from one place to another for a fee. This includes bus transportation, like Greyhound, rideshare services, trains, taxis, planes, cruises, and ferries. Unlike private carriers, common carriers’ services are available for general public use.
Duty of Care Standards
With Greyhound buses being common carriers and serving the general public, drivers and the company are held to a higher standard of care. In addition to operating the vehicle safely, Greyhound must also take the following actions to keep passengers safe:
- Ensuring safe and stable steps
- Closing the door after a passenger has completely boarded or deboarded the bus
- Waiting to start the bus until passengers have sat down or safely exited the vehicle
- Inspecting and maintaining buses
- Closely following all traffic laws
- Adhering to all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations
In traditional motor vehicle accidents, all parties are expected to act with reasonable care, but with Greyhound drivers, they are held to a much higher standard. This means they may be more likely to be held liable for most accidents that involve their buses.
Proving Liability
As a victim injured in a Greyhound bus accident, your claim must prove the driver or bus company’s negligence. Because these vehicles are common carriers and drivers are held to a higher standard and must do everything possible to keep passengers safe, it is often easier to prove liability in these cases. Our skilled lawyers can help you demonstrate the liable party’s negligence by gathering evidence, such as medical bills, the police report, witness testimony, and video footage.
Learn More About Your Greyhound Bus Accident Claim With Callahan & Blaine
As a Greyhound bus passenger, you have unique protections due to the bus’s common carrier status. At Callahan & Blaine, we have the experience and dedication needed to help you navigate your claim. With over 40 years in practice and a large team of highly experienced trial lawyers, we offer unmatched expertise in handling complex bus accident cases. Our firm has secured multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts, showcasing our commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients.
Our personalized approach ensures we tailor our strategies to your specific needs, providing you with comprehensive support throughout the legal process. We excel in proving liability, gathering crucial evidence, and navigating the complexities of common carrier laws to help you secure the compensation you deserve. Contact Callahan & Blaine today at (714) 241-4444 or through our contact form.
