Following a fatal tour bus crash in July 2014, police have decided not to charge the driver who allegedly fell asleep and caused the accident. The wreck that occurred nearby the Neils Harbour community on the Cabot Trail claimed the life of one passenger and injured 17 others.
According to the report, the accident took place around 2:30 p.m. on July 13 when the driver of a tour bus returning from the United States suddenly lost control and veered off the roadway, where it overturned in a ditch. The driver, who was ejected from the front of the bus in the impact, suffered unknown injuries. Of the 21 passengers in the bus, 18 suffered unreported injuries, including a 70-year-old woman who succumbed to her wounds shortly after rescue personnel transported her to a hospital. Police who conducted an investigation into the bus accident stated that it was allegedly caused by the driver when he dozed off.
Following the loss of a loved one in a fatal vehicle accident, grieving family members may suddenly be faced with a myriad of difficulties. They might be burdened with sudden and costly financial expenses such as funeral arrangements, possible losses of income and pain and suffering. However, the surviving family members might pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim if they believe that a driver’s negligent conduct caused the accident that resulted in their loved one’s fatal injuries.
Through a thorough analysis of the official accident report and eyewitness accounts, a lawyer might be able to determine if there is evidence to substantiate the family’s claim of driver negligence. Even if the accused driver was not criminally charged in the incident, he or she could be held liable for damages if evidence suggests that the driver was negligent at the time of the crash.
Source: CBC News, “Fatal Cabot Trail bus crash won’t lead to charges“, Jan. 12, 2015