In yet another high-profile Megabus disaster (the very same Megabus that runs right here in San Antonio), a Milwaukee-bound Megabus bus caught fire in Chicago after the bus blew a tire. Before the passengers on board knew what was happening, the driver told them that they had to change buses (without providing an explanation). Fortunately, all 80 passengers got off the bus safely. But they lost all of their stowed belongings – the luggage burned along with the bus, which eventually exploded in a blaze that was documented by several of the passengers who had been onboard just moments before. Photos of the bizarre and harrowing incident were posted to Twitter, with some trending posts receiving more than 7,000 retweets.
A similar accident occurred in 2012, when a double-decker Megabus caught fire in northeast Georgia on Interstate 85. Fortunately, the bus driver was able maneuver to the side of the road and evacuate the bus before anyone was injured. The crash caused traffic to remain backed up on I-85 northbound for several hours, since the double-decker bus was simply too massive to be moved by local wrecking crews without cutting the bus into pieces.
Owned by the Stagecoach group, Megabus is an interstate commercial bus line that has been plagued by safety concerns and high-profile accidents for years. In August 2012, more Megabus accidents led to two deaths, and in the years since, the company has been involved in at least 22 more Megabus accidents in the U.S. alone.
Studies have shown that curbside bus companies are much less safe than traditional bus lines. In fact, the National Transportation Safety Board found that curbside buses had a fatality rate seven times higher than that of traditional bus lines.
It seems that while Megabus is offering customers rides for reduced rates, they might also be offering reduced safety measures as well. And a quick internet search for “Megabus” shows that customers are taking notice – websites like Yelp are brimming with hundreds of one-star Megabus reviews, and former riders have taken to various social media platforms to share their stories and complaints. But Megabus continues to operate in several major cities and continues to transport thousands of passengers in the United States every single day.
What many former passengers may not know is that they could be entitled to compensation after their Megabus accidents. More Megabus accidents means more Megabus victims. If you were involved in a Megabus accident, you might have a personal injury case against the at fault company for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, or emotional distress resulting from the incident – in which case, you’ll want to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible. And if you’ve lost a loved one in a commercial bus accident, you may have a wrongful death claim against the bus company involved. At Carabin Shaw, our knowledgeable attorneys serving San Antonio can help you determine whether or not you have a case, and can help you decide how to best proceed in the wake of your accident.
Our specialized attorneys have years of experience in handling commercial bus accident cases – including Megabus cases – and we want to help you get the compensation you deserve following your accident.
If you or a loved one has been injured on a Megabus in San Antonio or in the San Antonio area, call Carabin Shaw’s dedicated team of San Antonio Megabus accident lawyers at 800-862-1260. Our lawyers are available to take your call anytime, day or night, and can also be reached by email. For more information on bus accidents, call our attorneys today.