Pennsylvania Bus Accident Attorneys

Bus Accidents

In our fast-paced society, bus transport is heavily relied upon by commuters, tourists, children going to school, and various organizations. Considering the large number of individuals that a bus can carry, strict rules and regulations are in place to ensure the safety of bus passengers, drivers, and other motor vehicle occupants.

Commercial bus drivers and the companies that employ them have several responsibilities that must be upheld to help prevent bus accidents from seriously injuring or killing innocent people. Even so, bus collisions continue to take place either due to driver distraction, negligence, defective vehicle parts, improper bus maintenance, dangerous roads, and other causes.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) monitors the condition of commercial buses and creates various safety rules for bus drivers and bus companies to follow. As a part of their efforts, the FMCSA conducts strike force sweeps and daily roadside safety inspections of commercial buses. In 2009, over 130,000 commercial buses were inspected, leading to 4.3% of bus drivers and 7.6% of buses having to be put out-of-service due to violations. Some of these infringements related to vehicle flaws and non-compliance of hours-of-service rules.

Data from the FMCSA reflects that in 2008, there were 307 fatalities and 24,000 injuries relating to accidents involving buses. Although one fatality due to a bus crash is one too many, these statistics emphasize that bus collisions are one of the least common types of motor vehicle accidents. However, due to their large size, weight, and because of the lack of seat belts or air bags in some buses, the consequences of bus accidents can be devastating. Not only are bus drivers and passengers at risk, but pedestrians are prone to suffering catastrophic injury or death due to the impact of a bus in an accident as well. Occupants of motor vehicles involved in bus accidents are also in danger of being harmed, especially in frontal impact collisions.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a rollover is the most dangerous type of bus accident. Far too many bus accidents have caused passengers to be susceptible to injuries and fatalities due to the intrusion and projection of objects as the bus rolls over. Many passengers can also be ejected from the vehicle through windows, placing them in danger of coming in contact with sharp objects and being crushed. Even partial ejection can place bus passengers at significant risk because of the objects they come in contact with as well as varying body position.

Bus driver human error is responsible for a handful of commercial bus accidents. Some of these mistakes relate to a driver feeling rushed, which can lead to a driver speeding, neglecting to adhere to traffic laws, and being more likely to misjudge a situation due to being distracted. If a driver makes illegal traffic maneuvers or follows other vehicles too closely, he or she may face criminal charges.

Philadelphia Bus Accident Lawyers

Individuals who are injured and family members of those killed in bus accidents caused by hours-of-service regulations or vehicle safety standards violations, in addition to several other forms of negligence, have valid legal rights and potential options for obtaining compensation. At Anapol Schwartz, our Pennsylvania bus accident attorneys have the legal resources and knowledge to help injury victims and family members of wrongful death victims hold negligent parties liable. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a bus collision, whether it involved a school bus, tour bus, double-decker bus, or other type of commercial bus, we can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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