Get Fast Financial Relief After an Accident Involving a Bus
Inside a bus, there’s a sense of security. It’s big. You’re surrounded by people. More often than not, your vehicle is the largest on the road. You make the (logical) assumption that you are safe. In one year, over 700 million people nationwide are transported by buses.
Though the number of accidents involving buses is relatively small, there is always a risk. If you have been in an accident involving a commercial vehicle and need a bus accident attorney, we can help you! Our team of experienced professionals will guide you step by step through the process, treating your case with the respect it deserves. We’re here to help.
Understanding Bus Accidents: What You Need to Know
In 2014, there were over 400,000 police-reported crashes involving trucks and buses. Almost 4,000 of these resulted in fatal accidents. Over 80,000 resulted in injury. Because of the sheer size of these vehicles, buses cause accidents with great force that can do great damage, especially to the passenger cars they share the road with.
To put it simply, while there are fewer accidents involving busses reported every year (approximately 5.7 people are injured in traditional car accidents for every one person hurt in an accident with a bus), when accidents do occur, they have the potential to do real damage.
What Causes Bus Crashes?
Driver negligence is the greatest contributor to a bus accident. Driver negligence can be described as any action which endangers, or is likely to endanger, another person or property. It can include:
- Driving under the influence of a substance, like drugs, alcohol or prescription drugs
- Driving distracted, like using a cell phone or operating a radio or eating behind-the-wheel
- Fatigued driver, something common in commercial drivers working long shifts
- Driving aggressively
Sometimes, it is not a driver who is responsible for acting with negligence but the company owning the commercial vehicle. In this case, the company itself is responsible for the accident. Here are some ways a company may present negligent behavior that might cause a bus accident:
- Failing to provide adequate training to drivers
- Poor maintenance of vehicles
- Failure to perform any required inspections
- Putting pressure on drivers to work long hours
Bus Accidents in Your Neighborhood
While driving locally, you are inclined to be in the vicinity of some buses you may not even consider a danger; we are prepared for any number of circumstances that have put you, your family or loved ones at risk.
School Bus Accidents
As a parent, there is nothing more frightening than your child being injured in a situation out of your control. We send children to school each morning with an expectation they will be safe. But, school busses are not required to have seat belts, and many busses that do leave it up to kids to proactively buckle their belts and be responsible.
Who is liable in an accident involving a school bus? Is it the driver? The school? The company that owns the buses? At a time like this, you’re probably thinking with your heart and not your head. This is where Bill Green and his team of experienced bus accident lawyers steps in. Sometimes, neither the school board, driver nor charter company has liability in a case like this since, technically, children are responsible for fastening their safety belts.
If your child has been injured while in a school bus, call us today, and let us ease your burden.
City Bus Accidents
In 2013, Americans took over 10 billion trips using public transportation. Some of those were on local, city buses. Packed with riders, plodding through gridlocked traffic at the business transit times, there is plenty of opportunity for something to go wrong. A bus may collide with another car or a cyclist. A passenger on board may cause a dangerous situation. Mechanics could fail.
Here are several causes of accidents on city busses:
- Driver error or negligence
- Fatigued driver
- Overcrowding
- Mechanical issues, like a tire blowout
According to law, city buses are referred to as “common carriers.” Along with this classification comes responsibility and duty to provide safe transport for all passengers on board. If you have been injured in an accident that is breach of “common carrier” law; you may be eligible for compensation. Let a bus accident attorney review your case at NO RISK to you!
Greyhound Bus Accidents
When you travel on a bus long distance, your mind is focussed on your destination and not on the road. For the most part, Greyhound, and other long-distance travel buses, are a safe and economical option to get you from Point A to Point B. Even so, it’s helpful to understand what the risks still are. Because of the size of the vehicle and the number of passengers on board at any time, there is a potential for real injury if a charter bus crashes.
Here are some factors that might contribute to a charter bus accident:
- Driver negligence
- Mechanical failure, like a tire blowout
- Disruptive passenger
- Simple accident
In many cases, the greatest threat to a long-distance bus is the passengers themselves. As so many people are in a bus for a long period, it is next to impossible to ensure proper behavior for all occupants the entire time. Unruly passengers and uneven distribution of passenger weight can all lead to accidents. If you have been in a bus accident while traveling in a charter bus, accident law firm will assist you with your case!
Tour Bus Crash
If you are on a private bus, tour or charter, there is still a chance your vehicle may experience an accident. Traveling on the highway, sometimes at fast speeds, these private buses can accommodate small and large groups alike. When you hire a charter bus, there is a reasonable expectation of safety. Have you been injured while the passenger of a charter or tour bus? If so, a bus accident lawyer can right for the compensation you deserve.
Bus accidents can be complex cases and overwhelming. Because there can be so many parties involved, it takes a detail-oriented knowledge of the law to compile the most thorough and compelling case possible. If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a bus accident, the carrier is liable for damages. Keep in mind that there may be deadlines to adhere to when filing your claim, so it is best to secure an attorney as soon as possible to work on your behalf! Your consultation is at no risk to you! Remember, we are only paid if you receive compensation. Call us today at 843-747-2455, and connect with a member of our team. Help is on the way!