Sometimes it's nice not to have to worry about traffic, parking and staying sober when attending an event. Hiring a party bus or chauffeured limousine to alleviate those frustrations could make your trip more enjoyable. You and the group you travel with can relax and let someone else be in charge of the transportation to and from your destination.
The problem is that your worry-free trip could turn into a catastrophe if an accident occurs. Whether you are traveling to a sporting event, a bachelor or bachelorette night, or some other occasion that requires you to ride in a such a vehicle, you place your life in the hands of the person at the wheel.
What goes wrong most often when riding in a party bus?
Even though this method of travel is relatively safe, when accidents do happen, they can be horrendous. Passengers do not have seat belts, which could amplify any injuries suffered in a crash since you could end up thrown around the vehicle. With that said, the following are the most frequent causes of passenger carrier accidents:
- Driving too fast
- Distracted driving
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Bad tires
- Improper tire pressure
- Non-functioning or blocked emergency exits
- Allowing passengers to hang out rooftop hatches or doors
- Driving too many hours
- Failing to be aware of low underpasses or bridges
- Driving while fatigued
Fortunately, it does not appear that driver impairment is common. However, that does not mean it can't happen. That may be a causal factor in an accident.
What kinds of injuries could you suffer?
Depending on the severity of the crash, you could find yourself suffering from one or more of the following catastrophic injuries:
- Tissue damage
- Internal bleeding
- Head trauma
- Crush injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Amputation
- Paralysis
- Hearing loss
- Loss of eyesight
These and other serious injuries could cause you permanent harm and disability.
What legal options do you have?
A licensed party bus or limousine service probably has insurance coverage. However, insurance companies are in business to make a profit, and offering large payouts does not achieve that goal. In this situation, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side. That advocate can develop and pursue an effective negotiation or litigation strategy. Your lawyer can also make a full accounting of your financial losses and place a value on your pain and suffering for inclusion in the compensation demand.
When it involves large losses, insurance companies don't play games. Get legal help as soon as possible.