Tourist Safety Trap: Tour Bus and Trolley Accidents in Georgia

Bus tours offer a convenient and comfortable option for touring some of Georgia’s greatest attractions. From the trolley tours of Savannah to the tour buses of Atlanta, these common carriers provide residents and tourists with a memorable experience. Sadly, these fun-seeking outings can turn tragic when vehicle owners or operators fail to meet their legal duties. Common carrier owners and operators owe their passengers a high level of care. When they breach this duty, they may be held financially responsible for resulting injuries.

Holding tour bus companies responsible

A common carrier is an entity that transports goods or people for compensation. Tour buses and trollies fall under this category. When injuries occur, compensation may be available from various sources, including the bus owner and/or operator.

It is quite common for numerous parties to participate in the maintenance and operation of a tour bus or trolley. It may be owned by one company, repaired by another, and operated by a third company’s employee. For this reason, it may prove challenging to determine who is at fault for the accident. Under some circumstances, the carrier driver may cause the accident and resulting injuries. Through the legal theory of vicarious liability, the bus company may be held liable for the wrongful actions of the employee.

If a mechanical issue contributed to the cause of the vehicle crash, the carrier’s owner may be held liable for failing to properly maintain the tour bus or trolley in a safe manner. Parts manufacturers and mechanics may also hold some responsibility if it found that a specific part was defective or that inadequate repair work contributed to the accident. For example, a trolley’s brakes fail, causing the vehicle to roll into oncoming traffic. Investigation of the accident reveals that a mechanic recently replaced the trolley’s brakes with a defective aftermarket part. Under these circumstances, the trolley company, along with the mechanic and retailer of the brakes may have some accountability for injuries that occurred in the accident.

In situations where a tour bus accident is caused by a third party, the at-fault individual or entity may be found liable for resulting damages and injuries. This may apply if another driver negligently pulled in front of the tour bus or a government entity failed to adequately maintain the roadway. These compensation claims can be difficult to traverse, often involving several insurance companies.

If you were injured in a tour bus accident, rely on the knowledgeable Georgia vehicle accident lawyers of Harris Lowry Manton LLP to handle the details of your case, so you can focus on the healing process. Contact us today at 404-961-7650 in Atlanta, or in Savannah at 912-651-9967. You can also reach us through our contact form.