The tragedy of an accident involving a bus is multiplied by the number of people who suffer a serious injury, or are killed as a result. Large commercial buses and school buses are unique in that they can be hard to control in some conditions, and a crash will affect the lives of so many more people than an accident involving a passenger car.
The West Palm Beach bus accident lawyers at Freeman Injury Law understand there are many potential causes for bus accidents and we aggressively pursue compensation on behalf of injury victims in Florida.
Many buses are designed with a very tall overall height, resulting in an extremely high center of gravity. When coupled with the massive weight of the vehicle and the professional skill it takes to maneuver one safely, the risk for a bus roll over crash is considerable.
Often, a bus crash happens when the bus driver is unfamiliar with the roadway, during inclement or unsafe driving conditions or on roads that were not designed to accommodate such a large vehicle. There are other instances where a bus accident happens because of mechanical failure, such as the brakes or steering malfunctioning. In some cases, it has been discovered that the owner of the bus and the operating company charged with maintaining the bus failed to perform adequate service, and could not provide adequate records to indicate routine maintenance had been performed.
The companies who own and operate commercial buses, whether they are charter vehicles, tour buses, sightseeing buses or a cross-country commercial passenger carrier, have a legal obligation to ensure that their vehicles are maintained and serviced per state and national regulations. Failure to do so is an act of negligence that just may end up taking the life of an innocent passenger.
Fatal Crashes by Type of Bus - 2008
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
Bus drivers, too, must undergo extensive safety training and driving instruction. If you or a loved one was involved in a bus crash, how would you know if the driver was qualified to operate the bus safely? Do they have any safety infractions on their record? Have they had adequate rest prior to undertaking a long bus trip? A skilled and dedicated legal team can uncover the facts that may help you in your effort to recover financial damages.
In 2008, there were 247 fatal bus accidents on American roadways, killing a total of 307 people. There were 843,308 buses registered for that year. There were 11,000 bus accidents that injured more than 24,000 people.
From 1991 through 2001, an average of 26 children died each year in school bus accidents. Nineteen were pedestrians getting on or off a school bus. Half of all school-age pedestrians killed in school bus accidents were between the ages of 5 and 7.
The West Palm Beach bus accident lawyers at Freeman Injury Law work diligently to assist families in Florida. We will aggressively fight to ensure your legal rights are represented, and work with you to help recover the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries, medical costs, long-term rehabilitation and pain and suffering.
Call our offices today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation to learn more about your legal rights.
Freeman Injury Law – (800) 561-7777 -- Someone on YOUR Side