Bus accidents happen much more frequently than one might think. Thousands of buses — metropolitan systems, county bus lines, private lines such as Greyhound and travel companies' charter buses, and of course, school buses — log hundreds of thousands of miles each year in major cities throughout the U.S. When bus accidents occur, there are bound to be injuries. The personal injury attorneys at Gacovino, Lake & Associates represent the individuals and families who have been impacted by serious bus accident injuries.

Many Possible Scenarios for Bus Accidents

Many factors contribute to bus accidents, whether they take place in heavy traffic such as in New York City or out on a rural route. The sheer size and weight of a bus make it much more difficult to maneuver than a car or SUV. The stopping distance is much longer than for a car; that is, when a bus driver needs to stop the vehicle quickly, it takes far more than a few feet.

Contributing Factors

Changing lanes in a bus (typical weight, 10 to 15 tons), keeping track of other vehicles on the road (especially motorcycles, which can be hard to see from a bus driver's vantage point), and maneuvering a bus in bad weather are additional challenges that can contribute to an accident. Other factors may include:

• Driver fatigue
• A bus driver distracted by passengers, GPS, CB radio, etc.
• Time/schedule constraints that pressure a driver to go too fast or to "cut corners"
• Buses that are not maintained properly
• A bus that is overloaded
• A bus driver with inadequate training or experience

Passengers, Pedestrians, Other Vehicles' Occupants

When a bus accident occurs, the injured parties may include the bus passengers, occupants of other vehicles on the road, bicyclists, pedestrians, or a combination of these. Injured individuals may or may not bear some of the responsibility for the accident, but this would not necessarily prevent them from obtaining a legal remedy for their injuries.

In fact, bus accidents are often rather complex matters. In addition to "common carrier" laws that apply to buses, both state and federal laws may apply. Parties involved may include:

• The bus company owner(s)
• A government entity such as a metropolitan transit company
• The bus company's insurance company
• Manufacturer or provider of the bus or its parts
• Other vehicles' drivers and their insurance companies

If You've Been in a Bus Accident

If a bus accident has caused you or your loved one a serious injury, you can find very knowledgeable and assertive personal injury representation at the law offices of Gacovino, Lake & Associates. To schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer, contact us today.

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