Bus Accidents

Public, charter or limousine bus accidents can be devastating because of the number of passengers carried inside a bus, combined with the fact that most buses are not equipped with, or do not require riders to utilize, seat belts. Bus accidents are further complicated by the fact that bas riders are free to move about the cabin of the bus to socialize or use the restroom and, when busses are full or overcrowded, riders are permitted to stand.

In addition to public, charter and limousine bus accidents, as many as 20,000 school bus accidents occur each year causing nearly 10,000 injuries and more than 15 fatalities. Like public or charter bus transportation, school bus accidents are very serious because of the number of school bus passengers who, in most cases, are unsupervised and unrestrained children.

Serious injuries also occur frequently when bus passengers are boarding or exiting a bus. In fact, more than 75% of bus-related injuries occurs as passengers board and exit. Common accident scenarios include car versus passenger collisions where car drivers fail to yield to exiting bus passengers, fail to stop for students and/or children crossing the road with school bus warning lights flashing, and collide with stopped busses.

Other potential causes for bus accidents include:

• Old buses with outdated equipment;
• Poor bus maintenance;
• Bus driver negligence; and
• Lack of bus driver training.

In the event of a severe personal injury, the injured individual and/or a spouse and immediate family members, may be entitled to recover for:

• Wrongful death;
• Past and future medical bills;
• Past and future lost wages;
• Loss of future earning capacity;
• Pain and suffering;
• Mental and emotional disability;
• Disfigurement and scarring;
• Loss of enjoyment of life;
• Loss of society, love and affection;
• Property loss; and
• Incidental and out-of-pocket expenses.

While no dollar amount can adequately compensate for a loss, the legal system is structured to permit monetary recovery where the injured party can prove that another negligently caused his/her harm. The amount of recovery is determined either by a jury at trial, or through a fair settlement made prior to trial, that is based upon jury verdicts in similar cases. All claims that are accepted by the firm are actively researched and aggressively pursued to a conclusion.

If you or a loved one have suffered a severe personal injury, we may be able to help. To contact the bus accident attorneys at Bottar Law, PLLC, please complete a contact form or call us at (315) 422-3466 or (833) BOTTARS (268-8277).

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