Bus Accidents

Bus Accident Attorney in York: Know Your Rights

Many Pennsylvanians rely on buses for transportation daily. They take people to school, to work, to appointments and many other destinations. It’s not uncommon to hear bus companies touting their reliability and safety records. While bus crashes are not common, several factors do contribute to bus accidents being potentially catastrophic.

Buses are huge. They take wide turns, often crossing over opposing travel lanes. They are vulnerable to having blind spots. They don’t come equipped with seat belts or air bags. Their weight distribution and height make them more prone to tipping over.

Bus accidents happen, and when they do, filing a personal injury claim for compensation can be extremely complex. In a typical accident, liability is determined by the two private parties involved in the crash. In a bus accident, the driver, the bus company, drivers of other vehicles, even other passengers who may have interfered with the operation of the bus and contributed to the accident may be held liable. School buses and public transportation buses are overseen by government agencies, which adds to the complex nature of bus accident cases.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a bus accident, contact our bus accident attorneys at Dale E. Anstine to answer your questions, free of charge. 

We’re here to take the burden off of you, and to assist with the insurance calls, the doctor’s appointments, medical bills and more. 

Bus Accident Statistics

While bus crashes are rare, statistics show their frequency is comparable to car crashes when broken into crashes per million miles traveled.

In 2020, with transportation largely at a standstill, there were 319 commercial bus accidents and 154 school bus accidents in Pennsylvania. Of those, 68 school bus accidents resulted in injury. On the commercial side, 207 bus accidents resulted in injury, with 9 accidents resulting in death. 

In 2019, there were 486 commercial bus accidents in Pennsylvania with 327 of them resulting in injury and 3 resulting in death. That year, there were 301 school bus accidents, 151 of those being injury accidents and 4 accidents resulting in deaths.

Most bus accident fatalities involve people in other vehicles and pedestrians alongside the road. 

Contributing Factors to Bus Accidents 

A large number of bus crashes are due to negligence or error on the part of the driver or the bus company. However, there are some other common factors that come into play.

Driver negligence may come into play if the driver was speeding. following other vehicles too closely, not taking breaks required by law, or using drugs or alcohol. The driver may have been distracted by texting or talking to other passengers on the bus.

Bus companies are required to have regular safety inspections of their fleet. Failure to properly maintain equipment such as brakes and tires can create dangerous conditions for the driver and passengers.

Tight spaces in urban locations can be difficult to navigate for drivers who were improperly trained, and can pose a risk to other vehicles, passengers, and pedestrians. 

Road conditions, bad signage and lighting, and poorly maintained road surfaces can also lead to bus accidents.

Rollovers are the leading cause of accidents involving multiple injuries in bus crashes. Buses are inherently top heavy, and as such, when too many passengers or too much luggage are allowed on the bus, it can create a dangerous scenario-especially if tires are worn or underinflated. 

Liability in Bus Accidents

As previously mentioned, bus accidents are more complicated than other traffic accidents. Liability could rest on any or all of the following parties-the driver, the bus company, another driver, a municipality, or a construction company. 

Even when the bus driver is at the root of an accident, in Pennsylvania, vicarious liability allows for an employer to be held accountable for the actions of their employees. For example, if the driver was too inexperienced, inadequately trained, fatigued or even intoxicated, the bus company may be held liable.

If a faulty bus part caused the accident, it could mean a lawsuit against the manufacturer. As you can see, there are many factors that could come into play when dealing with a bus accident injury. That’s why it’s so important to speak to one of our personal injury attorneys right away, who can answer your questions, and get to work for you.

Do Not Wait to File Your Bus Accident Claim 

In Pennsylvania, you must file your personal injury claim for a bus accident injury within two years from the date of the accident. This is known as the Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations. Even so, it is better to file your claim as soon as possible, because as time passes, it may be difficult to collect evidence to prove the liability of those responsible. 

Time is absolutely critical following any type of accident. It is imperative to call an experienced personal injury attorney who specializes in bus accidents in York, PA, who can guide you through the process.

What Can You Be Compensated For?

When an accident happens due to the negligence of someone else, damages sustained may be both economical and non-economical. Did you know you can be compensated for the following?

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Permanent damages
  • Disabilities
  • Psychological or psychiatric harm
  • Loss of consortium—including spousal companionship and support
  • Funeral Expenses

Contact Our Bus Accident Attorneys in York, PA Right Away!

After a bus accident, you’ll be pestered by insurance investigators. The bus company will likely try to get you to make a statement or sign off quickly to limit their potential payout.  Doing so can diminish or completely deny you of the compensation you deserve. 

Do not speak to the insurance or bus company! Our attorneys at Dale E. Anstine will do the talking. We will investigate and hold the liable parties accountable to maximize your compensation. 

The insurance company may also try to offer you a quick settlement hoping you’ll sign off on your injuries. Do not sign a thing! They are looking out for their shareholders, not you or your best interests. Have our attorneys take a look at everything before you take action.

Our law firm has been practicing personal injury law in York and Adams counties for decades. Let us focus on your bus accident case while you recover from your injuries. We do not charge a fee for representation unless we win your case for you, so reach out today for help.

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