How Common are Bus Accidents?
Buses are a common and cost effective form of transportation. Whether you are using the Palm Tran Bus Service, Miami Metrobus, a national private company, or a small bus operator, you should be able to relax in the comfort that all proper safety precautions have been taken. Unfortunately, that does not always happen. Bus accidents remain a serious safety problem. Here, our West Palm Beach bus accident lawyers review the latest statistics.
Florida Bus Accidents: The Data
Bus accidents can occur in a wide variety of different ways—from a bus driver’s negligence to a private company’s failure to conduct adequate maintenance. The most recent comprehensive bus accident data comes from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). The public agency recently published its highway traffic safety statistics for 2018. Here is what we know about bus accidents in Florida in that year:
- There were 7,885 bus accidents reported in the state; and
- These collisions resulted in nearly 1,600 bus accident injuries.
To be clear, the total number of bus-related injuries is almost certainly far higher than is noted in Florida’s official data. The state only records injuries that occur in traffic accidents. In other words, injuries that happen in other ways—such as slips and falls on a bus or an assault on a bus—are not counted as part of these statistics. By some estimates, collisions account for only half of all injuries on buses. Bus operators can still be held responsible for non-crash-related injuries.
Bus Accidents: An Overview of the National Data
A study from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) estimated that 75,000 buses are involved in accidents in the United States each year. Approximately 16,000 Americans are injured in bus accidents and, tragically, another 500 people are killed. Many of these bus accidents could have been prevented with due care. Notably, the majority of people seriously injured or killed in bus accidents were not passengers.
Due to their size, buses pose a potential safety risk to occupants of smaller vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. It is imperative that private bus companies and public transportation agencies make a proactive effort to ensure that bus travel is as safe as possible—both for passengers and for members of the public. Private and public bus operators can be held liable for injuries that occur because of their negligence. If you were hurt in a bus collision, you should consult with an experienced attorney.
Contact Our West Palm Beach, FL Bus Accident Attorneys for Professional Help
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our Florida bus accident lawyers are aggressive, solutions-oriented representatives for injured victims. We know how to hold negligent defendants accountable. If you or your loved one was hurt in a bus accident, we can help. For a free, no strings attached review of your personal injury claim, call us now. We represent bus accident victims throughout South Florida, including in West Palm Beach, Miami, Miami Beach, Hialeah, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach Gardens, and Jupiter.
Resource:
flhsmv.gov/pdf/crashreports/crash_facts_2018.pdf
