Fatal Bus Accidents Involved Other Types

by Olivia A. Sarmas

olivia@lane-lane.com

Representing the Seriously Injured in Illinois

7/2/2015
Comments (0)

A recent study of buses involved in fatal crashes touched on the fact that there are “other” buses on the road that do get involved in fatal accidents, even though many people don’t think about or know about sharing the road with these vehicles. Besides the common transit buses, school buses, charter buses, and intercity buses that are daily features on the road, there are also numerous buses on Illinois roadways that are operated by:

• Private companies to transport employees
• Non-profit organizations, such as churches
• Nursing homes and other care facilities
• Afterschool programs and daycares
• Government agencies
• Contractors for school districts
• Hotel and airport shuttles
• Drivers for personal use

While these buses are often smaller than school or public transit buses, they are still generally larger and heavier than a typical passenger car. The size and weight of these vehicles, as well as the innocent passengers they carry, can make these “other” buses a potential danger if something goes wrong behind the wheel.

The Numbers on Accidents Involving “Other” Buses

According to the Buses Involved in Fatal Accidents (BIFA) study mentioned earlier, buses in the “other” category were involved in 11.1 percent of fatal bus crashes. While almost 37 percent of these fatalities in “other” bus crashes were bus passengers, accidents with “other” buses also affected cyclists, pedestrians, and other drivers and passengers outside the bus.

In the accidents that did occur, the study reported that the drivers of “other” buses had a higher incidence of prior traffic violations on their records, although the number of driver with a specific prior history of accidents was fairly low. However, the “other” bus drivers had a higher incidence of prior suspensions, speeding tickets, other moving violations, or a combination of violations.

Responsibility for Injuries and Deaths Caused by “Other” Buses

The companies, individuals, and organizations that operate the buses in the “other” category sometimes use professional drivers, but sometimes their drivers are not professionally licensed or trained. Driving the bus may be just one of many other duties for the individual, and attention to safety can be more lax than in highly regulated public buses. In many cases, however, the companies and organizations that operate these buses have a similar responsibility to follow traffic laws and operate safely. If they fail to do so, or if a bus driver makes a mistake, the victims of the accident may still have the right to recover financial compensation for their injuries and losses.

If you or a family member sustained serious injuries in an accident with a bus operated by a private company or organization, don’t wait any longer to get informed. You may have a limited time to take advantage of your rights, and it is surprisingly easy to make mistakes that can wreck your potential case. To start learning more about your potential legal rights in a free and no-obligation environment, please reach out to the experienced attorneys with Lane Brown, LLC today at .

Category: Public Transportation Accidents

Labels: