After a party bus evening went tragically wrong last year, numerous plaintiffs have filed suit against the party bus company and the city of Santa Monica. Plaintiffs are suing over the shooting death of De’Ommie de la Cruz, including the deceased family as well as friends that witnessed the shooting. They are seeking unspecified damages.
On November 3, 2017, De’Ommie de la Cruz and other female passengers were on a bus operating by Lion Limousine, celebrating a friend’s birthday. At about 1 AM, they asked the driver for a bathroom break. The driver complied and pulled into a parking lot near the Santa Monica pier.
Common Carrier Liability
According to the lawsuit, Lion Limousine is being sued because it is alleged they knew, or should have known, that the bus driver was incompetent or unfit to drive. Party buses, like most buses, are considered “common carriers” and must exercise a very high degree of care and diligence with regard to passenger safety. The crux of this case will likely turn on whether the driver’s actions to pull over near the other bus was unreasonably negligent, as well as whether it was negligent for the bus driver to drive to the police station instead of a hospital.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a party bus, or other common carrier accident, contact a local personal injury attorney. These sorts of lawsuits can be complicated, and a legal adviser can best navigate local laws and ordinances to help you get the relief you need.
Related Resources:
- Find a Personal Injury Lawyer Near You (FindLaw’s Lawyer Directory)
- Top 5 Legal Concerns About Common Carrier Liability (FindLaw Injured)
- Tour Bus Crash Injures More Than 50 in SoCal (FindLaw Injured)
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