Every year, thousands of people sustain serious injuries in accidents involving buses. Regrettably, many of these accidents also involve the loss of life by a pedestrian, rider or one or more other vehicles. Frequently, too frequently accidents involving buses are the result of carelessness of bus drivers and negligence on behalf of the companies or municipalities that employ them. employers. Bus accidents can result from poor and or distracted driving, including the failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians, vehicles, bicyclists, as well as other violations of the bus transportation and traffic laws. Some accidents may involve the failure to properly maintain the buses or include adequate safety equipment.
Fatal Bus Crashes
Buses and motor coaches have recently captured the headlines and received press attention due to recent fatalities and multiple causalities. Crashes, fatalities, and injuries involving buses have increased dramatically and The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and its partners have doubled the number of the inspections of commercial passenger buses in recent years and because of these efforts, the FMCSA shuts down as many as 50 unsafe motor coach operators a year!
In a February 1, 2020 report, The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration released data following the first weeks of operation of its Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. The information released showed that “the clearinghouse has detected and identified nearly 8,000 positive substance abuse tests of commercial drivers since January 6, 2020.” Not all these commercial drivers were bus drivers, however, it indicative of a serious problem with alcohol and drug negligence that often contributes to catastrophic injuries involving the public
School Bus Accidents, School Bus Injuries
In a normal year almost 500,000 yellow school buses provide transportation service daily in the United States. About 25 million elementary and secondary school children ride school buses to and from school each day.
In government statistics released in 2018 bus related crashes killed 117 people nationwide that year and have been increasing yearly. “From 2009 to 2018, about 70% of the deaths in school bus-related crashes were occupants of vehicles other than the school bus, and 17% were pedestrians. About 5% were school bus passengers and 4% were school bus drivers.”
Bus Accident Injuries can be as simple a bump or bruise from an abrupt stop, however, injuries such as whiplash, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries and in some cases, paralysis are the result of a seemingly “minor accident”. It is imperative for victims of bus accidents to visit the hospital to make sure that no injury is or will become life-threatening or life altering.
Contacting Bus Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident in New York, you should consult with a Bus Injury Lawyer For New York City, Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island. Steven L. Kaplan is your best option if your accident occurs in New York State. His decades of experience handling bus accidents will protect you from inadequate settlement offers and ensure that you are fully compensated for your injuries. From contacting insurance companies to investigating the accident, an attorney will be your best chance in recovering the costs associated with your injury.
Free Consultation
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. Meaning, if we agree to handle your case, there are no legal fees until we are successful in getting you money. But it is important that you contact us quickly. Lawsuits need to be filed before an impending expiration date, known as the Statute of Limitations. Cases involving municipalities have many special conditions that must be met Therefore, call, or contact us right away to ensure that you do not waive your rights to money damages or other benefits.
