Common Causes Of Bus Accidents
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there are over 975,000 registered buses in the United States, and buses are one of the most common forms of public transportation in the Nashville area. Though we all want to get to a destination safely, many blame accidents on poorly maintained roads, there are often many responsible parties in a bus accident.
Accidents are an unfortunate byproduct of having so many buses on the road, and these accidents can be more serious than other types of vehicle accidents given the relative size of a bus. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Mitch Grissim & Associates can help you and your loved ones get the compensation they need after a bus accident. To learn more, call or contact a personal injury attorney at our office today for a free consultation.
Driver Negligence
Driver negligence is one of the most common causes of bus accidents, if not the leading cause. Whether drivers are inexperienced, distracted, or simply poor drivers when an error is made a serious accident can result. Driving too fast, driving while texting, and failing to abide by traffic signs and signals can also cause devastating accidents with a bus on the road. Driving under the influence of alcohol or stimulant drugs can also cause a crash. Finally, driver fatigue also causes many bus accidents when bus operators are required to work long or unusual hours on their route.
Bus Company Negligence
The bus company can also cause an accident through their negligence. The companies that own buses have a duty to inspect and maintain the vehicles on a regular basis. When they fail to do so, components of the bus can break, and accidents can result. The bus companies also have a duty to hire responsible, good drivers for these vehicles. When they hire a bad driver who causes an accident, the bus company may also be held responsible for a crash. Our lawyers can help determine if a bus company may be held liable for a crash.
Road and Weather Conditions
Finally, hazardous weather such as white-outs and other adverse weather conditions can also cause bus accidents in Tennessee. Local and state government entities are responsible for maintaining the roads in and around the Nashville area, but sometimes they fail to fix potholes or other hazardous road conditions that can lead to an accident with a bus.
A government entity may be partially responsible for a bus crash when it is caused by bad weather or road conditions. Inclement weather conditions can also contribute to a bus accident. Bus drivers must keep to a schedule, even in poor weather conditions, and if they are driving too fast for conditions an accident can occur. If you are interested in learning more about what can cause a bus accident or filing a claim, talk to our office today.
Common Bus Accident Injuries
Bus driver negligence is a common cause of bus accidents. But these accidents can also cause severe and serious injury. And some can be fatal accidents. Though mechanical failure is often a cause in some cases, driver error is often to blame.
As mentioned, the leading causes of bus accidents often involve reckless driving, and sometimes distracted driving. But just like with an auto accident, bus driver negligence is also the main culprit when injuries are sustained in a bus crash. Regardless of the at-fault party, severe injuries are unfortunately common in a bus accident.
The following injuries are common in the event of bus accidents:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Internal injuries
- Severed limbs
- Concussion
- PTSD
Though poorly maintained buses are often to blame for some bus accidents, serious injuries often occur during these types of collisions. And if you hope to recover compensation for your injuries and medical expenses, making a visit to our law offices and seeking legal representation with a personal injury attorney will be your best step forward.
Being involved in a bus crash with other drivers can be a devastating experience. And if you rely on bus transportation in order to get to and from work or school, you may not want to step onto another bus again after a bus accident.
What to do After a School Bus Accident
Bus accident victims should seek immediate medical care right after the accident occurs. As a bus crash can be fatal, seeking prompt medical care is the first step that you’ll want to complete.
Second, you’ll want to report the accident to the local authorities so they can begin gathering evidence. As school bus accidents can also involve other drivers, you’ll also want to get the information from everyone involved in the bus accident.
Once you have all of your documentation and you’ve received proper medical treatment, you’ll want to consider taking your case for legal services to review.
School buses are often maintained by bus companies. And this means that negligence can potentially fall at the feet of several parties. Basically, several parties can be held liable, but this also creates a complicated legal situation that will likely require the help of legal services. A combination of driver’s negligence, other vehicles, and other motorists may all be involved in filing a claim. As such, reaching out to a competent personal injury attorney is going to be your best defense for seeking the compensation that you’ll need to recover both medically and financially.
Talk to Our Office Now
Have you been injured by a school, city, charter, or other bus? If so, the experienced Nashville personal injury attorneys at Mitch Grissim & Associates are here to help. Call the office or contact us today to schedule a free evaluation of your case and learn more about your legal options.
Remember, we pride ourselves on client satisfaction and hold our attorney-client relationship to the highest standards. This combined with excellent personal service, our law firm stands ready to get you the financial compensation that you deserve.
