Who Is Liable for a Shuttle Accident?

July 23, 2019

Last Vegas is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. In fact, McCarran International Airport welcomes approximately 3.8 million travelers on a monthly basis. Most of these passengers will utilize a shuttle service to reach their hotels or a connecting transportation service. But what happens if the shuttle is involved in an accident? Most shuttle vehicles lack seat belts, air bags, and other critical safety features. When a collision occurs, the passengers often sustain debilitating, if not fatal, injuries that necessitate costly medical procedures and treatment programs. In Nevada, the following parties can be liable after a shuttle accident:

• The shuttle driver
• The shuttle company
• The shuttle manufacturer
• A third-party

If your medical bills are piling up, it may be time to explore your legal options. A personal injury claim can yield damages that cover your injury-related expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, and more. But you’ll only recover these damages if your legal team can identify the negligent party and prove their actions are responsible for your injuries and financial losses. To win a negligence lawsuit, your legal team needs to prove four factors:

• The defendant owed you a duty of care.
• The defendant breached this duty.
• The breach of duty caused your injuries.
• The injury resulted in damages.

SHUTTLE COMPANIES

Shuttles are classified as common carriers under Nevada Law. A “common carrier” is a business that transports customers on an on-call basis or as part of a scheduled route. When a passenger purchases a ticket and boards a shuttle, the company and shuttle driver owe a special duty of care to this person. This duty encompasses the following principles: providing a safe vehicle for transport, treating passengers with respect and civility, warning passengers about potential dangers, offering reasonable accommodations for the disabled and elderly, and, above all else, driving safely. Therefore, a company can be held liable for damages if their passengers are injured as a result of their negligence. In the past, shuttle companies have been held legally responsible for the following negligence scenarios:

• The driver was speeding.
• The driver was drunk or high.
• The shuttle company hired a driver who wasn’t qualified to drive a shuttle.
• The shuttle company failed to train their driver.
• The shuttle overturned because it was holding too many passengers.
• The shuttle company failed to maintain the vehicle.

HAVE YOU BEEN INJURED IN A SHUTTLE ACCIDENT? CONTACT HIGH STAKES INJURY LAW TODAY

Contact the personal injury attorneys at High Stakes Injury Law if you or a loved one has been harmed in a shuttle accident. Our legal team can investigate your case, identify the negligent parties, and develop a litigation strategy that aims to maximize your claim. If necessary, we can represent your interests in court to ensure you’re awarded a fair and reasonable settlement. Rely on 60+ years of experience. Contact High Stakes Injury Law at (702) 444-3228 to schedule a free consultation.