Causes of Bus Accidents
Although buses are generally considered safer than cars, as backed by researchers from the Universite de Montreal Public Health Research Institute who found that the risk of injury is four times greater for drivers compared to bus occupants, bus accidents do occur. In fact, every year, about 63,000 buses of all kinds are involved in an accident. Of these accidents, around 14,000 resulted in an injured person, and 325 resulted in a fatal injury. Around 50 passengers (including the driver) are killed every year in buses, according to a study conducted by the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute. Some of the most common causes of bus accidents include:
- Driver distraction or negligence
- Road conditions and construction problems
- Heavily populated areas with small spaces for maneuvering
- Vehicle handling issues and equipment defects
- Faulty vehicle structure and lack of passenger protection
- Issues with weight distribution in the vehicle, impacting stability
- Negligence on the part of the bus company
- Driver fatigue
- Bad weather or turbulent conditions
- Left turns
- Fault of another driver
- Bus fires
- Blind spots
If you find yourself in this situation, your top priority should be your health and safety. It is important to seek medical attention immediately, even if you think your injuries are only minor. Your body’s ability to feel pain could decrease due to the adrenaline you are feeling as a result of the crash. This is an important part of our physiology, as it allows us to continue fighting danger even when we are injured, but it also prevents people from seeking the medical care they need, so we don’t recommend falling into that situation.
Who Is Liable in a Bus Accident?
After you have attended to your health and safety, you can begin exploring your legal options. After all, medical bills are not cheap and it is important that the party responsible pay their debts in this situation. As far as who that person will be, it depends on the circumstances of the accident. As you can see listed above, there are many factors that could result in a bus accident, and many of those factors lead to different responsible parties. It is possible that the fault lies with the company running the bus system. For example, if there was neglect involved with the maintenance of the vehicle, the bus company would be responsible, and with legal help, you have a better chance of getting them to pay their dues. It is possible that there could be more than one person who is at fault for the accident. Commonly responsible parties include the bus driver, the bus company, the maintenance workers who maintain the bus, and potentially third parties involved in the accident.
Whatever the case might be, it is important to understand that if you have been in a bus accident, you could be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries and other losses. We don’t recommend leaving it up to the insurance companies, as they might not have your best interest in mind and might not work to provide you with the best possible outcome the way the team at Belushin Law Firm, P.C. would.
If you have been in a bus accident or are suffering from another personal injury, call Belushin Law Firm, P.C. at (888) 918-9890 or contact us online to get the representation you deserve.