Party Bus Accidents
We see party buses up and down the strip in Las Vegas all the time.
Some are funny with glass so we can all see in, with stripper poles and even a pool or two.
It seems like in Vegas the party bus business is as over the top as ever.
If you and your friends are heading to Vegas for a birthday party you probably want a fun night on the town to celebrate.
So you might even rent a party bus or a limo, sounds fun right?
You’re enjoying your time in the back of the party bus thinking Las Vegas is just amazing.
But what happens if there is an accident while you’re on the bus?
Who is responsible? What happens if you’re injured? Or what happens if some of your friends are injured?
Limo and party bus accidents are unique situations that have a specific set of laws.
The best resource for you if you are involved in a party bus accident is to contact a top car accident lawyer here in Las Vegas.
Only a personal injury lawyer in Nevada can represent you properly if you were injured in Vegas.
To secure the best outcome of this bad situation contact The Richard Harris Law Firm for a free case review today.
Who is Responsible for Party Bus Accident?
Determining who is at fault after a party bus accident can be confusing at best.
Multiple parties might play a role in who is held accountable for your injuries.
Understanding who is at fault takes experience and legal expertise.
Contact Richard Harris Law Firm today for answers.
Common Carrier Law
Common carriers can be limo and party bus companies.
This means they have a higher duty of care towards their passengers.
Increased responsibility– Limo and party bus operators have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their riders. This means proper maintenance of vehicles, hiring driver’s that are qualified and ensuring those drivers are following traffic laws and operate the buses or limos properly.
Drivers held accountable– Party bus drivers are required to have certain licenses that regular driver’s do not have to hold. These licenses require special training and classes.
Companies can be held accountable for the driver’s actions- If the driver of the bus was negligent and caused your accident, the company they work for might be held responsible. The company can be responsible for their employees.
The driver could be responsible– Party bus drivers must obey traffic laws and operate their vehicles with care. Failure to obey traffic laws is negligent. Including DUI, distracted driving, and speeding or reckless driving.
Other motorists– In some cases another driver could be the reason the accident occurred and not the limo driver or party bus driver.
Determining liability is confusing and requires a full investigation.
This is when your Las Vegas personal injury lawyer steps in and is able to make sense of who will be involved in your claim.
Nevada laws that may affect the outcome of your case
Having a simple understanding of the laws and rules that affect your party bus or limo accident will help you when your filing a personal injury claim, these are few things to keep in mind after a party bus accident:
Comparative Negligence-Even if you hold a portion of responsibility for the accident you might still be able to recover damages. The amount you receive will be reduced by the percentage the court deems you to beat fault. For example if you were awarded $100,000 and the court finds that you are 30% at fault, your award will be $70,000 since $30,000 is 30% of $100,000.
What is the statute of limitations-Nevada has a two year limit to file a personal injury claim in most cases. If you fail to file a claim within the two year period you may forfeit your right to recover any damages.
Tourist and out of state laws– While in Nevada anything that happens falls under Nevada law. Only a lawyer that has a license in Nevada can help you with your case. It doesn’t matter where you are from, Nevada law is the only thing that matters for your personal injury case.
What to do if You’re injured in a party bus accident
Moments after an accident are traumatic and can leave you disoriented and unsure of what to do.
If you can keep your wits about you and remember these things that matter most you can help yourself going forward.
-
Make medical treatment a priority- Even if you feel OK, seek medical attention immediately. Just get seen by a doctor, some injuries don’t present themselves immediately like whiplash or nerve damage. Other injuries might require tests like MRI scans to be diagnosed. Medical records are a valuable tool in a personal injury claim.
-
Document everything- If possible and you are safe take photos and video on your phone of everything that has to do with the accident. Gather contact information from anyone who may have seen the accident. Keep all communications between you and the owners of the bus or limo company, this includes text messages.
-
Call a personal injury lawyer for a consultation- This is just as important as seeking medical attention. Before you speak with any insurance or other representative from the owners, have a lawyer on your side to protect your rights.
Common Injuries and Compensation
Injuries in any accident can range from minor to severe and limo or party bus accidents are no different.
The most common injuries are:
Physical Injuries not just bruises.
-
Broken Bones
-
Head and Neck injuries including whiplash and concussions
-
Spinal Cord Injuries
-
Internal Injuries
Emotional Injuries
-
PTSD is common after an accident
-
Emotional Distress
-
Anxiety
-
Loss of enjoyment
What damages can you recover
All party bus or limo accidents are different and compensation is based on the severity of the accident.
You may be entitled to receive compensation for the following after an accident.
-
Medical expenses
-
Lost Wages
-
Pain and Suffering
-
Loss of future earning potential
-
Punitive Damages if the limo or party bus company is found to be grossly negligent
The Richard Harris Law Firm Can Help
With over 40 years representing clients in Nevada we are experts in Nevada law.
Our team can help:
-
An assessment of your case- During your free consultation our team will determine if you have a case and what the options are.
-
Compensation potential- Once we’ve established your case our team will be able to give you a general idea of what you can expect as far as compensation goes. There are no guarantees however and every case is different.
-
A helping hand through the process – Our team will handle all legal communications with any of the other parties and fight for your right for the best possible outcome.
-
No fees unless we win- Our team takes cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing up front unless we win the case.
-
We are prepared to go to trial- Most personal injury claims are settled with negotiations. If that is unsuccessful we will be prepared to take this all the way to court if necessary.
-
The Richard Harris Law Firm has offices in Las Vegas and Reno.