Suffering an injury in a bus crash can be distressing under any circumstances. It can be especially upsetting to learn that the driver who caused your crash was under the influence of alcohol.
Drunk driving bus accidents in Merrillville may have catastrophic consequences for all involved. If you were hurt in a crash, our compassionate bus accident attorneys at the Law Offices of David W. Holub are ready to help.
What Is the Legal Limit for Bus Drivers?
Bus drivers are typically required to hold a commercial driver’s license, which subjects them to stricter driving under the influence (DUI) standards than regular motorists. While the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for most drivers in the state is 0.08 percent, the limit for commercial drivers operating a vehicle such as a school bus or transit bus is only 0.04 percent. This lower threshold reflects the heightened responsibility commercial drivers carry when transporting passengers.
Driving a bus while impaired poses significant risks, and even a small amount of alcohol can lead to serious consequences under state law. If a bus driver exceeds the 0.04 percent BAC limit, they may face criminal charges, license suspension, and disqualification from operating commercial vehicles. For people injured in a Merrillville bus accident involving an impaired driver, this violation may also serve as strong evidence of negligence in a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
Why Drunk Driving Bus Accidents Are So Dangerous
The injuries that can result from a Merrillville drunk driving bus collision are often life-changing. One reason is that a bus may outweigh the other vehicles on the road by a factor of 20. If the size difference was not enough, impairment increases the potential for serious injuries. Bus drivers who are impaired are less likely to take evasive actions or slow down prior to a crash. Some of the injuries commonly caused by bus accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Cuts and bruises
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord damage
- Severe burns
Each of these injuries could lead to a viable case for compensation if you could show the bus driver was intoxicated.
Evidence of Impairment
You might have a path to recovering compensation following a Merrillville intoxicated driving bus crash, but only if you could make a strong case for negligence. It is not enough to assume the bus driver was impaired, as a successful court case requires evidence.
There are different ways to approach building a negligence case. If you think the bus driver was intoxicated at the time of the crash, then proving that fact will be extremely valuable. The easiest way to do this is to secure a copy of a DUI conviction, assuming they were charged with a crime. You have other options for proving impairment even if the police never made an arrest. This could include an admission of drinking, a video of a failed field sobriety test, or the presence of alcohol in the bus.
Developing evidence to establish what your case is worth is also vital. Your attorney may prove the value of your medical expenses by using hospital bills, and they could show the cost of repairing your vehicle with estimates.
Contact an Attorney in Merrillville About Drunk Driving Bus Accidents
No one should ever have to face the reality of drunk driving bus accidents in Merrillville. If you suffered injuries in a crash involving an impaired driver, the Law Offices of David W. Holub are here to help.
Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.