Helpful Tips for Checking a Bus or Limo Company’s Safety Record

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Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers weigh in on limousine accidents. Hiring a bus or limousine company to provide transportation to and from a special event or party is a great option, particularly if you want to avoid drinking and driving. While it is more expensive than hiring a cab or using a ridesharing service like Uber or Lyft, it is one less thing to worry about at the end of the night.

When hiring a bus or limousine company, it is common for customers to check online reviews, do price comparisons, and ask friends or colleagues for recommendations. However, one step that customers often fail to take is to check the state and federal safety ratings for those companies. This important step can help avoid potentially serious accidents involving vehicles that did not meet basic safety regulations.

A Recent Incident

Earlier this October, a limousine carrying 18 people was involved in a devastating accident, after the vehicle sped through an intersection and slammed into a car that was parked in a nearby parking lot. All 18 occupants of the limousine were killed, as well as two pedestrians, making it one of the deadliest transportation accidents in this country since a 2009 plane crash in Buffalo.

According to a Washington Post article, just minutes before the crash, one of the passengers sent a text to her mother saying that there were problems with the vehicle’s motor.

After taking a closer look at the limousine company that owned the vehicle that crashed, it was discovered that four out of the five vehicles that were inspected over the past seven months were removed for failing safety regulations. Records show that this included everything from bald tires to defective brakes, as well as inadequate emergency brakes.

In addition, the limousine involved in the accident had failed inspection and should not have been used.

How to Examine a Company’s Safety Record

Customers can visit the Federal Motor Coach Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) website to access important safety information. If the information cannot be found using the company’s name as it is advertised, ask the company for their official name or US DOT number.

Before hiring the bus or limousine company, enter this number into the website, and you will be able to check a range of safety categories, including unsafe driving, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and driver fitness. If there are any categories that have exceeded federal standards, a caution icon will appear by that category.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Victims of Bus or Limousine Accidents

If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident involving a bus or a limousine, it is in your best interest to contact the experienced Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. When these vehicles fail inspections because they do not meet safety standards, they should not be on the road. Our experienced legal team will seek the maximum financial compensation you deserve and ensure that your rights are protected at all times. We will not stop fighting for you until you are completely satisfied. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.