According to a report from Fox 5, a tour bus caught fire in the westbound lanes of I-285 on the north side of The Perimeter during the Friday evening rush hour traffic, blocking the Ashford Dunwoody Road exit. The accident caused a traffic backup all the way to Spaghetti Junction. There was no word at the time of the report as to what caused the fire and whether there were any injuries.
Most tour buses are known as common carriers. Common carriers are vehicles used to transport people or property for a fee, and their vehicle operations are under regulation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). FMCSA has a number of regulations that apply to buses, including the requirement that the owner of the bus carry a higher level of insurance in order to compensate those who suffer physical injuries or property damage as a result of the bus driver’s negligence or negligent practices by the tour bus company. For buses with a seating capacity of less than 15, the minimum amount of liability insurance that must be carried is $1,500,000. For buses with a seating capacity of over 15, a minimum of $5,000,000 in liability insurance coverage is required.
Bus companies have the responsibility to take reasonable actions to avoid causing harm to customers and other travelers on the roadway. These requirements include ensuring that the driver is qualified to operate the bus and adhering to a regular maintenance schedule. The drivers themselves are responsible for performing pre-trip inspections to discover any potential hazards related to the condition of the bus. According to Wiley Online Library, some of the common causes of bus fires are electrical systems, increased friction on the wheels, and leaking oil or fuel.
If you or your loved one have been injured in a Georgia bus accident, an experienced lawyer from Cambre & Associates can help you understand the process you can use to seek compensation for the expenses and psychological impacts of the injury. Contact usfor a free case evaluation.