The Dangers of Serious Injuries in Bus Accidents

 Posted on July 17, 2018 in Bus Accident Injury

On Tuesday, July 3rd, a startling bus crash in downtown Chicago reminded all Chicagoans that bus accidents, while seemingly unlikely, can occur. The accident occurred early Tuesday afternoon when a car crashed into a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus. After colliding with the bus, which was traveling in the Gage Park area, the driver of the car was fatally injured. On the bus, four passengers and the bus driver suffered serious injuries requiring hospitalization. While all the bus occupants are now stable, the accident was a stirring reminder of the fact that CTA bus accidents, when they do occur, can be very dangerous. 

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), more than 1,000 motor coach accidents occur each year nationwide. In 2016 alone, 227 passengers lost their lives in bus accidents. If you or a loved one are injured in a bus accident, it is critically important to find the quality personal injury attorney that your family deserves. 

Nationwide Large Commercial Vehicle Trends 

Throughout the nation, large vehicle accidents seem to be on the rise. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of commercial truck and bus accidents reached an all-time low in 2009. Since then, bus and truck accidents have been rising, reaching an all-time high in 2016 with 119,000 crashes resulting in injury. 

School Bus Injuries 

While intercity bus accidents only accounted for roughly 13% of bus accidents resulting in injury in 2016, school buses alone accounted for an astounding 40%. From 2007 to 2016, more than 1,000 fatal school bus accidents occurred across the United States. 

Recently, a school bus accident in Colorado resulted in more than 25 injured victims. While none of the passengers were fatally injured, the crash is yet another example of the harsh reality that bus accidents are common, and that they can cause serious, life-changing injuries to bus passengers, as well as the drivers and passengers of other vehicles. 

Contact a Lake County Bus Accident Lawyer 

As a parent, your number one concern is protecting your children and your family. While riding on public transportation and school buses can decrease the likelihood of severe injuries, accidents can still occur, and they can result in substantial medical bills, lost income, and significant pain and suffering. At Salvi & Maher, L.L.C., we understand how difficult the aftermath of a bus accident injury can be for the entire family. If your family is impacted by a motor vehicle accident, contact our knowledgeable team of Waukegan personal injury attorneys. To set up a free consultation, or call our office today at 847-662-3303. 

Sources:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/large-truck-and-bus-crash-facts-2016

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/Publication/812476

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/multiple-people-injured-colorado-school-bus-crash-56554965

http://abc7chicago.com/1-dead-6-injured-in-back-of-the-yards-crash-involving-cta-bus/3698664/