More and more commercial buses are operating across San Antonio, Texas, and the southwestern United States. Due in part to the expense of air travel, personal vehicles, gas and maintenance, bus lines are again becoming a more popular mode of transportation. With the increase in volume of people using commercial buses as a means of primary travel, so too does the increase in accidents caused by these buses.
Due to the size of a commercial bus and the fact that they weigh as much as 10,000 pounds or more, they provide potential safety hazards in the event of a crash. These buses have a high center of gravity, causing them to topple over frequently. When a bus topples over onto its side, it can result in passengers sustaining major injuries. Additionally, many buses are not equipped with safety restraints or airbags, thus furthering the risk of serious injury or death.
Causes of Commercial Bus AccidentsThere are a number of reasons why bus crashes occur. In many cases, a driver may not see a smaller vehicle or may be distracted. Other causes include speeding, use of alcohol or drugs, and unfamiliarity with the road, just to name a few. Bus drivers who are unfamiliar with the route or who may be distracted by GPS or other electronics can cause devastating accidents like the Salina bus crash in September 2010.
The Salina bus crash killed four people and injured 24 when the bus crashed into an overhead bridge and tipped on its side. It is the responsibility of all bus drivers to be attentive and practice safe driving every time they step on the bus. Ultimately, it is also the responsibility of the bus company to ensure that all drivers are qualified and properly trained to drive their buses and reduce the risk of a bus accident.
Bus Accident StatisticsNHTSA statistics reported that over 250 fatal bus accidents occur each year. According to a preliminary count by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), about 300 people are killed in those accidents. Because of the danger these buses create, it is important to have an experienced attorney to turn to if you are involved in an accident with one.
If you or a loved one lives in San Antonio and has been injured in a commercial bus accident, call Carabin Shaw’s San Antonio bus accident attorneys to help you receive the compensation you deserve. The lawyers at Carabin Shaw always have the clients best interests at heart. Our bus accident attorneys can provide you with information about your case so that you may better understand the amount of compensation you should be receiving for your injuries.
Unfortunately, many bus accidents leave the victims walking away with serious or oftentimes catastrophic injuries that require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Depending on the circumstances of the commercial bus crash, some types of injuries include but are not limited to, broken bones, severed limbs, internal bleeding, burns, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, paraplegia, and quadriplegia.
Bus drivers, bus companies, and other parties responsible for ensuring the safety of all passengers have strict regulations that they must abide by. However, if those standards are ignored, these parties may be held liable for any accident that occurs due to negligence.
Injured victims and families of victims who were wrongfully killed have the right to seek compensation for their losses. An attorney can help those who have been injured receive this compensation for their injuries. If you are involved in a bus accident in San Antonio, you will need one of Carabin Shaw’s San Antonio Bus Accident Lawyers. Our bus accident attorneys will help fight for the compensation you deserve.
With over 20 years of experience, our attorneys know the ins and outs of the courtroom so you don't have to. You can call day or night for a free consultation with our lawyers in San Antonio at 210-222-2288.