Bus Accident Attorneys in Mississippi

Mississippi is home to many different people and many different modes of transportation. One of the regular sights on the roads in and around the state is that of traveling buses of all types. People use buses for transportation for many different reasons. One unfortunate reality that relates to this mode of transportation is that bus accidents do happen on our roadways, and the results can be disastrous.

MS bus accident victims are advised to retain the services of an experienced Mississippi bus accident attorney to help sort through this complicated legal matter. On this page, you will find information regarding the different types of buses that travel through Mississippi, the different theories of liability that could arise when people are injured in a MS bus accident, and how you should proceed if you or someone you love has been injured in a bus accident on a Mississippi road.

Southern Counsel attorneys Seth Thompson (left) and Mike Saltaformaggio (right).

Different Types of Bus Transportation in Mississippi

There are many different types of buses and group transportation vehicles in MS that can be used for different purposes. Here is a brief description of each type of bus and information regarding which type of entity is generally responsible for these different types of vehicles and how our Mississippi bus accident lawyers can represent you in your time of need.

MS Public Transit Buses

Public city transit buses are generally put into use for local commuting traffic. They are designed for people who either do not have private transportation or for those who choose to avoid using their own transportation when traveling around town. While the responsibility for these vehicles can vary, they are usually operated by the local municipality or a bus company that has been hired by the city to manage them.

Private Charter Buses

Private charter buses are usually hired by a group of people to provide transportation for a particular and limited purpose. Examples of reasons for hiring a chartered private bus include corporate outings, sporting events and other occasions in which it would be wise for those attending to not be driving. These vehicles are owned and operated by a private company.

Mississippi Tour Buses

Tour buses are used to provide transportation for those who wish to travel either to a particular destination far away or to tour several locations. They are generally hired by a group of people with similar interests or by a company that organizes these tours professionally, and these vehicles are operated by the bus company.

Mississippi School Buses

School buses are a daily sight in Mississippi. They are used to transport children to and from school every morning and afternoon and to take groups of students to school events and sporting events. School buses can be owned by the school board or school district, or they can be owned by a private company that contracts with the school board.


Theories of Liability for Mississippi Bus Accidents

Generally, legal liability in a personal injury lawsuit for a bus accident will depend on which party or parties are responsible for the bus at issue. Given that these ownership/responsibility scenarios can be different, so too are the potential defendants if a Mississippi bus accident occurs and people are injured. Below is a breakdown of these potential defendants in a lawsuit for personal injury caused by a bus accident and how our Mississippi bus accident lawyers can help.

Public City Bus Accidents

If a public transit city bus is involved in an accident in MS, and the bus is at least partially at fault for the damages, the likely defendant for the subsequent claims would usually be the city or municipality that owns these vehicles and collects the revenue for their use.

Private Charter Bus Accidents

A private chartered bus is generally owned by a private company, and if a charter bus accident occurs, either the company that owns the bus or the bus driver could be named as defendants in a legal action. It is also possible that both parties could be defendants in this situation.

Tour Bus Accidents

These kind of buses present a potentially complicated scenario in terms of liability if a tour bus accident occurs. If the tour bus was hired directly by a group of people, then the tour bus company and/or the driver could be liable. If a social club or some intermediary hired the bus on behalf of those who used it, that intermediary could also be a defendant in a legal action.

School Bus Accidents

Usually, when a school bus accident occurs in Mississippi, the school board or school district would be named as a defendant. However, if the school board contracted with a private company to handle this transportation, the private school bus company could also be named as a defendant along with the school board or district.


How Mississippi Bus Accident Attorneys Can Help

Naming the proper defendants to a lawsuit and pursuing the Mississippi bus accident claim under the proper theory can be critical for any legal claim. When it comes to bus accidents in MS, this can be a complicated process. Rather than attempt to handle this situation on your own, contact the experienced Mississippi Bus Injury attorneys at Southern Counsel today to schedule a free initial consultation.