Bus Accidents

We place a lot of trust in bus drivers. Many of our Philadelphia-area clients have no other choice: the bus is the only way they can get to work, or they have to rely on a school bus to take their children to school. Because of the massive size of the vehicles involved, bus accidents can be devastating, even lethal. If you or someone you love has been hurt or killed in a bus accident, you need a skilled bus accident lawyer.

Contact us today to arrange a free bus accident consultation where we will discuss and evaluate your case.

Causes of Bus Accidents

Because driving a bus, tour bus or mega bus is so difficult, the state of Pennsylvania requires bus drivers acquire a specific license before they can legally operate a bus. According to federal statistics, approximately 24,000 people were injured in bus crashes in 2015 (the most recent year for which statistics are available) which injured 24,000 people.

Most bus drivers are capable professionals, but many make mistakes. And in a bus crash, the results almost always include a catastrophic personal injury.

Our accident lawyers have investigated enough bus accidents to know that there are a few general causes for most of these crashes:

• Distracted Driving: While distracted driving is a problem in all sorts of vehicles, it presents a unique challenge for bus drivers. Most buses run on tight schedules and along prescribed routes. As a result, drivers often take their eyes off the road to consult GPS devices. This momentary lapse in concentration can cause an accident.
• Drowsy Driving: Fatigue is a major concern in the transportation industry. Drivers are much more likely to be involved in a crash when they are sleep-deprived or when they have been driving for several consecutive hours. Though there are Hours-of-Service laws that aim to prevent drowsy driving among commercial drivers, fatigue-related crashes are still a problem.
• Bridges: Many buses are too tall to pass under some low-lying bridges. Quite a few bus accidents are caused by drivers who ignore height restrictions and end up driving straight into a bridge.
• Reckless driving: Because buses are on such tight schedules, drivers often feel pressure to make up for lost time if they’ve been delayed. This is dangerous, especially in bad weather.

The negligence or misconduct of a bus driver or his company can shatter lives, especially when the result is a wrongful death. Our capable bus accident attorneys will handle your case with care and compassion. We will pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.

The Consequences of a Serious Bus Accident

Crash-related injuries have major consequences. The injury requires medical treatment and, in some cases, costly medications and ongoing care. Medical bills can quickly add up after a serious injury. An injury can also lead to missed time at work or curb a worker’s ability to do their job for long periods, which only makes paying medical bills more costly.

Injuries also impact a person’s quality of life. In addition to financial anxiety, injuries are often painful and debilitating. The sum of these challenges can result in depression, distress and several other types of suffering.

You Shouldn’t Have To Pay The Consequences of Another’s Negligence

Most crashes are preventable. They happen because people make mistakes and act carelessly. Regardless of whether a crash was the fault of a bus driver, the driver’s employer or another driver, the burden of meeting payments and overcoming these challenges shouldn’t fall squarely on your shoulders.

Our legal system offers tools to people who have been injured by someone else’s negligence. An injured person can file a personal injury claim to recover the costs linked to their injuries. If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, consider consulting a personal injury attorney with experience handling these types of cases.

At Wapner Newman, we fight for our clients to get them the compensation they deserve. We understand how injuries can affect a person’s life, and we know how to get results that reflect our client’s struggles.

Contact An Experienced Bus Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one was hurt in a bus accident in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or New Jersey, you need an experienced bus accident attorney with a track record of getting results for clients. Contact Wapner Newman today for a free consultation.