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Georgia Bus Driver Injures 13 Students

How common are bus accidents?

A Georgia bus driver carrying the West Georgia Technical College women’s basketball team was recently involved in a serious accident.  Local officials report that the driver drifted into the lane of a truck, side-swiping it then running off the road.  The driver then overcorrected, causing the bus to run off the road again and hit an embankment before ultimately overturning.  Thirteen students were injured in the accident.  The bus driver has been charged with driving while intoxicated and investigators believe fatigue may have also played a role in this horrific bus accident.

Statistics on Bus Crashes

While school buses may be the most common bus that comes to mind, there are several other types of buses used in everyday transport.  Charter buses are usually used when students or other groups need to travel long distances.  Mass transit buses run every day across the country, transporting people both locally and cross country.

Buses are large, heavy vehicles that are typically considered a safe mode of transportation.  Nonetheless, incidents like the West Georgia Technical College bus accident may raise red flags as to the true safety of buses.  In 2015, 4,311 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal accidents, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.  School buses accounted for 41 percent of all fatal bus accidents and transit buses comprised 33 percent.

Screening Bus Drivers

Human error is the primary cause of bus accidents, with bus drivers often being found at fault in a bus crash.  Like truck drivers, bus drivers must navigate an incredibly large vehicle for often long periods of time.  Bus accidents can sometimes be traced to fatigue, driver distraction, or intoxication on the part of the bus driver.  Driver inexperience is also a common cause of bus accidents.  Compounding the dangers of the situation, some buses still do not come equipped with seat belts, leaving passengers vulnerable in the event of a serious crash.

If you or a loved one is injured in a bus accident, contact a personal injury attorney right away.  Your attorney will assess the crash and determine whether you have a viable cause of action against the bus driver, busing company, or maker of the bus.  Injured bus accident victims could potentially receive compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Posted in: School Bus Accident