Earlier this year, a terrible bus crash on Route 80 took the life of one passenger and injured many others. It is a reminder to all of us that we cannot assume that commercial transportation is any safer than getting behind the wheel of our own vehicles. Bus companies, airlines, and train operators must be held accountable when a commercial vehicle they own or operate is involved in an accident.
A Tragic Accident
On January 25, an Adirondack Trailways bus carrying more than two dozen passengers was traveling eastbound near Exit 43 on Route 80 in Morris County when it collided with three other vehicles. Over 20 people involved in the accident were transported to Morristown Medical Center for treatment.
21-year-old college student Brianna Herrera was pronounced dead at the scene. She was ejected from the bus and landed in oncoming traffic. The Syracuse University senior was traveling home to visit family.
Brianna’s death must be a reminder to all of us that commercial transportation is not as safe as many of us assume. Bus, airplane, and train accidents are often much more serious than regular vehicle accidents because of the number of passengers involved and the size and speed of the vehicles.
Unique Challenges Arise When A Commercial Vehicle Is Involved In An Accident
When a commercial vehicle is in an accident we must hold the owners and operators responsible. This can be challenging because the owners and operators hide behind their corporate structures. They have an army of lawyers at their disposal and a PR team ready to spin any story so that the company does not take a hit.
At Levin and Malkin, we have a lot of experience suing bus companies, airlines, and train operators, so we understand the importance of aggressively fighting back against slick legal moves and PR double-talk.
A Legal Obligation
In order to even out the disbalance of power between Jane and John Doe and the powerful corporations and government agencies that operate planes, trains, and buses there are laws that require these so-called common carriers to transport people safely. We use these laws and regulations to our client’s advantage.
We comb through the police reports and accident investigations to discover who was at fault and whether the common carrier was not operating safely. It is the sad truth that many commercial vehicles on the road are not properly maintained or operated. Other times, the drivers, pilots, or conductors have not been properly trained. It’s heartbreaking to know that these careless missteps are causing injuries and taking lives.
Here To Help
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident with, or while riding on. a bus, plane, or train, and you want to hold the owners and operators accountable for your injuries, please contact our office in Hackensack to schedule a free meeting with our legal team.
Posted in: Car Accidents