Bus, Tour Shuttle, and Group Transportation Injuries on Vacation in Nashville
Tour buses offer individuals a way to see a city or place of interest in a convenient and affordable way. Pre-determined destinations such as museums, national parks, and wineries are often on the list, providing tourists with a fun experience. Unlike other modes of transportation, tour buses are considered common carriers in Tennessee, meaning that they owe passengers the highest duty of care. The same applies to buses, tour shuttles, taxis, and any form of transportation that requires payment to transport passengers.
At Raybin & Weissman, we know the anxiety that accompanies an injury when you are on vacation. A week that should allow you to get away from your troubles is only destroyed by worries of how to pay your medical expenses. If you were recently injured on a bus, tour shuttle, or any type of group transportation, our Nashville tourism injury attorneys are available to represent your interests.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Even though you may think that your risk of being involved in a collision is substantially higher in a passenger vehicle, about 15,000 people are injured each year in bus accidents. Whether you are on a bus, tour shuttle, or charter bus, the sudden impact of a collision can result in a traumatic brain injury, or a TBI. A TBI occurs when a person experiences a strike or blow to the head that disrupts brain function. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, confusion, lethargy, and mood changes. Though some TBI victims make a full recovery, others may experience long-term effects or permanent disability.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury encompasses damage to any portion of the spinal cord or the nerves at the end of the spinal cord. Often associated with paralysis, other symptoms include numbness or tingling, loss of bladder or bowel control, and an inability to regulate body temperature, difficulty feeling hot and cold, and loss of sensation. The location and whether the spinal cord was completely severed will determine the degree of injury.
Internal Bleeding
The impact of a crash does not always cause visible injuries. In some cases, internal organs may be compromised. Common organs that may be affected include the spleen, kidneys, and liver. Symptoms of a damaged spleen may include tenderness in the upper left abdomen or under the left ribs. This may be accompanied by left shoulder pain.
Symptoms of a damaged kidney may include significant pain in the lower back or flank pain, bruising, and inability to urinate or reduced urine output. Liver damage is characterized by a dull or aching pain in the upper right abdomen, nausea, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes). Since many of these symptoms remain undetected until it is too late, internal bleeding is commonly known as the silent killer.
Broken Bones
A high-impact collision can cause fractures, more commonly known as broken bones. These can affect the extremities, ribs, face, or pelvis. Pelvic bone fragments that break off can lacerate the bladder, intestines, and other internal organs, making a pelvic fracture life-threatening. Although some fractures can heal on their own, others may require surgical intervention.
Whiplash
If your bus or shuttle is rear-ended, you may experience damage to the ligaments, muscles, and tendons of the neck. Known as whiplash, this is caused by the cervical spine (neck) moving back and forth rapidly. Whiplash injuries can manifest as stiffness, headaches, and tingling in the shoulders, arms, or hands. These symptoms may be delayed, meaning that you may unknowingly cause yourself further injury simply by going about your daily tasks.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Nashville?
Tourists who are injured may seek compensation for lost wages, surgical costs, and other rehabilitative therapies. Tennessee law provides claimants one year to file a claim following an injury on a bus, tour shuttle, or other personal injury. You must file a claim within that time frame to recoup your losses. Since tour buses, shuttles, and any type of transportation service that requires payment from customers are considered common carriers, they must perform their due diligence to keep you safe.
This means you can hold the transportation company or commercial enterprise liable for any injuries you sustain. Our Nashville tourism injury lawyers are prepared to look into the circumstances surrounding your accident to identify any negligence. If the commercial company is liable, we will gather the necessary information to show proof of their negligence and your losses.
Speak with Our Nashville Tourism Injury Lawyers Today
An injury while on vacation can be devastating, forcing you to abandon your plans to tend to your health. At Raybin & Weissman, our Nashville tourism injury attorneys are here to represent you through the claims process. Unfortunately, the insurance company is only interested in maximizing its profits, robbing injured parties of the compensation that is owed to them. To learn more about your legal rights, contact us online or by calling (615) 256-6666 today to schedule your free, no-risk consultation.