Court Rules That Injured Bus Passengers Can Sue Greyhound For Failing To
Put Seat Belts On Its Buses
Yesterday, a Federal Court judge in Sacramento, California ruled that Greyhound could be liable
for failing to put seatbelts on their buses. In this case, the plaintiffs were 8 passengers who were
traveling on a Greyhound bus that was involved in a roll over accident just north of Sacramento
on the I-5 Freeway. The passengers, who were severely injured in the accident, claim that their
injuries could have been prevented had Greyhound equipped its buses with seat belts.
(PRWEB) July 2, 2009 -- Yesterday, a Federal Court judge in Sacramento, California ruled that Greyhound could
be liable for failing to put seatbelts on their buses. In this case, the plaintiffs were 8 passengers who were
traveling on a Greyhound bus that was involved in a roll over accident just north of Sacramento on the I-5
Freeway. The passengers, who were severely injured in the accident, claim that their injuries could have been
prevented had Greyhound equipped its buses with seat belts.
Greyhound sought to have the case dismissed arguing that Federal law preempted the passengers' state law
claims. Specifically, Greyhound argued that since the Federal Government does not require seat belts on buses
that any state court action based on the failure to install seatbelts was preempted by the Federal Government's
inaction.
In its ruling the court rejected Greyhound's argument and is allowing plaintiffs' seat belt claims to go to a jury.
The judge found that the Federal Government's failure to require seatbelts on buses does not prevent injured bus
passengers from pursuing claims based on the failure to install seat belts.
Plaintiff's attorney, Stuart Talley, said:
"This is a huge victory for the public. For years experts in the field have been calling for seatbelts on buses but
somehow the bus industry has been able to prevent legislation from being enacted. Every year, hundreds of
people are severely injured in bus accidents an