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Avoiding a Bus Accident
Avoiding a Bus Accident: What You Need to Know
Tens of millions of people in the United States pay to travel on a passenger bus each year, citing the benefits of not having to drive themselves and saving money on gas. Most people assume that buses are safe because of their sheer size and the fact that they are driven by professional drivers.Traveling on a passenger bus, however, is perhaps the most unsafe form of travel on the roadway. First, unlike passenger cars, most buses lack seat belts. This means that in the event of a sudden stop, sharp turn or crash, passengers become like human projectiles colliding with other objects or persons inside the bus. What may result in minor injuries for a seat-belted passenger in a car becomes a life altering injury on a bus. Second, buses lack airbags which protect passengers from dangerous “second collisions” inside the vehicle. Third, hundreds of fatalities occur each year in rollovers and multi vehicle accidents caused by “professional drivers” driving too fast for conditions.
When choosing to travel by passenger bus, there are a number of things you can do to enhance the safety of your trip:
- Check the weather along your travel route and avoid traveling if any inclement weather is predicted;
- Stay alert to the bus operation and avoid falling asleep so that you can brace yourself in the event of sudden movements or a crash;
- Never stand on a bus while it is moving;
- Visit the Department of Transportation website to check the safety certifications and ratings of passenger bus companies before booking a trip.
If you or a loved one have suffered serious injuries in a bus accident, call or message us today. Our team at Scartelli Olszewski has decades of experience helping accident victims just like you.
Sources:
Motorcoach Crash Statistics Presentation
Rachel D. Olszewski, an attorney at Scartelli Olszewski, P.C., is a dedicated advocate for clients who have suffered unjust harm. Following the legacy of her esteemed family members, Rachel specializes in personal injury, medical malpractice, and criminal defense. She is actively involved in professional associations and serves on the board of the Luzerne County Bar Association Charitable Foundation. Rachel is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania state courts and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
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