Although they are not as common as automobile accidents, when a public or municipal bus is involved in an accident, the consequences can be devastating. If you are the victim of a bus accident, you must hire an experienced Broomfield bus accident lawyer. You need a personal injury attorney who will advocate for your rights and ensure you are fully compensated for your medical expenses, lost wages, and physical pain or emotional trauma suffered.
A knowledgeable attorney will prepare your case as if it is going to trial while negotiating for an equitable settlement, which will fully cover your expenses. Remember to make sure the attorney you choose has experience with the federal regulations that govern commercial trucks and buses, then concentrate on healing while your attorney gets you the maximum settlement possible.
Understanding Bus Crash Statistics
Thankfully, fatal bus accidents are relatively rare in the United States; however, in 2014, 234 buses were involved in fatal crashes. Between the years of 2004 and 2014, intercity buses accounted for 13 percent of the total number of bus crashes that involved a fatality, school buses accounted for 41 percent of the total number of bus crashes involving a fatality, and transit buses accounted for 33 percent of the total number of bus crashes involving a fatality. Over 22,000 people experienced moderate to serious injuries each year as a result of a bus collision.
It is important to note that, on average, school bus accidents account for a few fatalities on an annual basis. Since 2004, 106 people, both children and adults, have been killed while riding in or driving a school bus. This equals about six passenger fatalities per year. It is actually statistically safer for your child inside the bus than outside—of the 327 children killed in school-bus related crashes since 2004, only 54 were actually inside the bus. The remainder were hit outside the bus, usually by another driver. While any death is tragic, in light of the number of miles traveled each year by school buses, it is actually pretty safe for your child to ride a school bus. However, if someone in your life has been in a crash, a bus accident lawyer in Broomfield can help ensure the right people are held accountable.
What Are Common Factors in Bus Collisions?
Driver fatigue on the part of the bus driver accounts for anywhere from 13 to 31 percent of bus accidents, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Driver fatigue among bus drivers is by far the most common reason for bus accidents, and has been responsible for several fatal accidents in the past. The hours of service regulations for bus drivers are largely ignored, especially by bus companies that are non-union.
As a general rule, police officers do not perform the same level of random checks on passenger buses in the same way they do commercial trucks. This is largely due to passenger annoyance when a bus is taken out of commission, with no handy replacement bus available. Since bus drivers are bound by fewer regulations than eighteen-wheeler drivers, they may be more prone to getting behind the wheel when they are tired, drowsy, or under the influence of medications that cause sleepiness.
Bus drivers who routinely drive in city situations may also engage in aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding, failing to yield the right-of-way, or simple inattention. There have been several reports recently of city bus drivers who were caught on camera texting while driving the bus. Some feel that increasing the pay of bus drivers, while placing more regulations on the number of hours they are allowed to drive, would go a long way in reducing bus accidents.
More than half of all bus collisions are directly related to the driver, with a smaller percentage attributed to the condition of the vehicle or inclement weather conditions. Specific driver errors in bus crashes, in order of those most likely to cause a bus crash to the least likely, include:
- Fatigue
- Speeding
- Overcorrection
- Failure to yield
- Inattentiveness
- Improper turns
- Reckless driving
- Running off the road
- Driving in the wrong lane
- Failure to obey traffic signs
- Illegally stopping in the road
Obviously, many bus accidents are a combination of driver error, negligence, fatigue, and/or inattention with a poorly-maintained component of the bus, such as faulty brakes or dangerous tires. Fifteen-passenger vans are the most likely type of bus to be involved in a rollover accident due to their high center of gravity. A final factor as far as injuries to those involved in a bus collision is the lack of safety belts in the vehicles. Regardless of the reason, a skilled Broomfield lawyer can investigate the cause of the bus crash to build a solid case for compensation for you.
Contact Our Experienced Broomfield Bus Accident Lawyers
If you or someone you love has been injured, it is important to contact our experienced Broomfield bus accident lawyers immediately. At Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., our committed attorneys are dedicated to the belief that everyone deserves justice. Contact us either online or by calling (866) 385-3505.
