Buses are much larger than most other automobiles on the road and so are thought to be safe. Also, many buses do not even have seat belts. Between 1987 and 1996, the National Bus Safety Council found that there were 4.3 bus passenger deaths a year juxtaposed with 44,000 deaths in smaller sized cars during that same amount of time. However, despite these statistics, buses are still incorporated in a large number of fatal accidents. In this past week alone, there have been crashes of school bus accidents resulting in injury in four separate states: Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin. In addition to this, buses used for public transportation are often involved in accidents resulting in death or injury such as a case in Washington D.C. where a woman was struck and killed by a Metro bus. In a period of eight months, she became the fifth fatality from bus accidents in the D.C. area alone. As the number of accidents involving school buses has become spotlighted more, many school districts are setting about to get all school buses fitted with seat belts.

Finding Blame in Bus Accidents?

Bus drivers must be extremely qualified and well-trained as they are responsible for large numbers of people and keeping control of an unwieldy vehicle. A bus driver can be held responsible for initiating an accident. However, bus accident lawsuits are not always clear because state and federal laws differ in who they say is at fault for such accidents. "Common carriers" are defined as being someone whose business is transporting people or material items from one place to another for compensation; such services typically are open to the public. Common carriers, which include commercial bus companies, are governed federally and by most state governments, and the drivers of these vehicles are required to have adequate training and equipment to complete their duties. As a consequence of this, the performance of bus drivers are held to exacting standards and they can be found to be accountable in bus accidents. However, the involvement of insurance companies and contractors in accident legal proceedings make questions of who is at fault much more complex. Common carrier regulations vary widely from state to state because the state governments are involved, and therefore, legal action in bus accidents can change greatly between states. Finding an experienced lawyer who is familiar with the common carrier laws of the area in which the accident took place and insurance policies regarding bus accidents is highly advisable.

What Should Be Done in the Event of a Bus Accident?

- If no law enforcement is present at the scene, immediately file an accident report with the police, sheriff, or highway patrol.

- Be sure to record the name, address, insurance information, vehicle license number, and driver's license number of everyone who was involved in the accident. Also be sure to obtain contact information and full names of any witnesses.

- Take pictures of all vehicles involved in the accidents, any injuries sustained in the accident, and the accident scene.

- Do not discuss the accident or any injuries you suffered with anyone other than your doctor or lawyer.

- Do not agree to making a recorded statement or sign any document that you have not first reviewed with your lawyer.

- Immediately seek medical treatment and be sure to tell your doctor how your injury occurred and about any pain from which you may be suffering.

Should I Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer?

Having the guidance of a professional bus or auto accident lawyer can be advantageous in the case of a bus accident. If you or someone you know has been injured in a bus accident and believe someone else may be at fault, use the auto accident attorney information request form on this page to get in touch with an expert auto accident attorney or law firm in your area today!