We want to take you a little bit out of our coverage area today to bring you a story that highlights some of the safety concerns we have when it comes to buses.
The incident happened last week on State Route 147 near Point Township and West Chillisquaque Township. The accident involved a Dattco long-distance transportation bus and a pickup truck.
Unfortunately, the driver of the truck was killed. The 33 injured bus passengers were tourists from Australia and New Zealand heading for Lancaster.
Police have not said what caused the accident, but there are some safety points that need to be made about buses. Do you know where to turn if you are injured in a bus accident?
When you need a Pittsburgh bus accident attorney, you can turn to Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman. Their knowledgeable and experienced legal team will work to get you the compensation you deserve.
What Can Happen?
When you ride around, do you ever notice how many buses are out and about? We have the Port Authority buses, long-distance buses, school buses, airport transport buses, and more.
Do we know that they are safe?
Buses are large vehicles that weigh tens of thousands of pounds. A bus accident has the potential to become a mass casualty incident, as they usually have dozens of passengers (almost always unrestrained) and have the ability to affect large areas around them.
Bus drivers should have their commercial driver’s licenses and should all be well-trained for each vehicle they operate. They should take their job seriously, as they have many lives in their hands. If a bus driver is operating while distracted by their phones or other devices, they are jeopardizing the lives of their passengers as well as those on the roadways around them.
If a bus driver gets behind the wheel while intoxicated, they are going to cause damages and injuries and should be held accountable for their actions.
Bus companies and agencies also have a responsibility to regularly inspect and maintain their vehicles. We often see that bus accidents occur because of a failure in the powertrain, brakes, or tires and wheels. Mechanical failure can lead to a bus driver losing control of the vehicle. Even buses that have to pull over on the side of the road leave passengers vulnerable to injuries, as other vehicles may strike the bus.
What You Can Do
If you or a loved one have been involved in a vehicle accident and you believe that it was caused by someone else’s negligence, seek legal assistance immediately. Accidents of this nature can quickly become confusing, especially when you are trying to recover from injuries.
At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, we want to make sure you are being treated fairly and that you receive the compensation you deserve for all of your accident-related expenses. This includes:
- Medical costs.
- Lost income if you are unable to work.
- Punitive damages.
- Pain and suffering damages.
When you need a bus accident attorney in Pittsburgh, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 888-98-TWINS(89467).