Pittston Bus Accident Lawyer
Although they are much less common than collisions between two passenger vehicles, bus accidents still occur at an alarming rate and tend to have more serious consequences, often resulting in catastrophic, and even deadly injuries. Although it is possible to hold negligent parties accountable for causing bus accidents, doing so can be difficult, especially if the bus is city owned and operated, so if you were recently involved in a bus accident, you should strongly consider speaking with an experienced Pittston bus accident lawyer who is well-versed in state law and can help you seek compensation for your losses.
How Common are Bus Accidents?
According to a report published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), approximately 116,000 bus and large truck crashes that were serious enough to result in injury, occurred in 2017 alone. Tragically, 4,889 of those collisions resulted in at least one fatality. Although these crashes involved a number of different types of buses, the most common included intercity buses, which accounted for nearly 13 percent of fatal collisions, while school and transit buses accounted for 40 and 35 percent respectively. According to the FMCSA, 73 school buses and 13 intercity buses were involved in fatal crashes in 2017 alone.
Common Bus Accident Causes
Like any other type of vehicle accident, bus accidents have a wide range of causes, but most can be attributed to:
- Bus driver error, including driving while distracted;
- Poor road conditions;
- Equipment defects and vehicle handling problems;
- Problems in weight distribution, which can affect vehicle stability;
- Failure to see another driver in a blind spot;
- Speeding; or
- The negligence of another motorist.
When these types of actions causes a collision with a bus, a number of different entities could be held liable for resulting injuries.
Potential Liability
Amongst the entities that can be held legally responsible for a bus accident are:
- The bus driver if his or her negligence caused an accident;
- The mass transit company if it failed to properly maintain its vehicles or train its employees;
- The city or state if it failed to oversee the bus system’s compliance with state and federal law; and
- Any individual motorists whose negligence contributed to the accident.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is the primary entity that operates mass transit systems in the state, including buses. Because this bus system is operated by the government, there are certain restrictions when it comes to filing a claim against SEPTA after a bus accident. For instance, injured parties are required to file a notice of claim with the city within six months of the accident or risk having their case dismissed.
Furthermore, state law caps the amount of compensation that an injured party can recover for a bus accident at $1,000,000 per accident, or $250,000 per individual.
Call Today with Your Accident-Related Questions and Concerns
Please call 570-821-5717 or complete one of our online contact forms to speak with one of the dedicated bus accident lawyers at the O’Donnell Law Offices today.
