In Las Vegas, bus accidents occur on a regular basis. Whether it is some form of personal injury accident involving children being involved or a larger-scale commercial bus crash with passengers from out of the area, these incidents can be quite disruptive and shake up an entire community. If you or a loved one were hurt, contact a Las Vegas bus accident lawyer at our firm. Our team of auto accident attorneys has experience seeking compensation for those injured in these types of crashes.
Tourism and Bus Accidents
Bus accidents in Las Vegas most commonly include large bus transport. Bus wrecks can happen when tourists come to town and cause an accident that hurts other travelers who are from out of the area.
Sometimes, these buses carry passengers back and forth between casinos along the Strip, while other times, they are tourists in a charter bus who are simply caught up in a rush hour accident on the interstate.
Whether tourists were hit by a bus on their way to see a show or locals hit another vehicle while they were driving to work, a seasoned bus accident lawyer in Las Vegas could help them seek fair compensation for their injuries.
Our Las Vegas bus accident injury attorneys at Shook & Stone help in-state or out-of-state clients file claims for maximum compensation when they have been involved in a crash.
Common Injuries in a Bus Accident
A bus accident, even when it is relatively minor and involves an individual vehicle, can have lasting effects on the passengers involved in that collision.
Because of the size of these vehicles and the number of people they can carry, there are more opportunities for a catastrophic outcome than other types of accidents. Common injuries include:
Broken Bones & Fractures
Some of the most common injuries in a bus accident involve broken bones and fractures. This is where there are breaks or cracks in the bone that can compromise its strength over time. Depending on the size of the break or fracture, it may require surgery to repair, and if there’s nerve damage, it could be diagnosed as a complex injury that causes even more pain to the accident victim.
Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries can happen in a variety of ways during a commute on a public transport bus, a school bus or charter bus accidents. For example, passengers may be thrown forward or side to side, hitting their head on a hard surface such as the floor, the ceiling, a seat, or another passenger. They may also be struck by loose objects inside the bus. In severe bus accidents, passengers may be ejected from the bus, hit by other vehicles, or thrown off bridges, which can result in significant head injuries. As many buses do not have seat belts, injuries may be more severe.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can happen to bus accident victims in various ways. The most common cause of spinal cord injuries in bus accidents is a sudden and forceful impact on the spine, such as a violent jolt, a hard hit, or a sudden stop. Bus accident victims can suffer spinal cord injuries if they are launched forward or backward if their body is twisted or compressed, or if they are thrown from the vehicle.
Mental Anguish
Bus accidents can cause mental anguish for the victims due to the experience of witnessing the accident and seeing others suffer injury as a result of the crash. They may suffer injuries themselves that change their quality of life, and this has an effect on their mental health. At times, the emotional distress is related to the financial hardships that the bus accident causes due to medical bills or property damage. Worst case scenario, the emotional trauma involves the loss of a loved one in these tragic bus accidents. If a spouse is lost in a bus accident, loss of companionship can contribute to post-accident depression.
A skilled bus accident lawyer in Las Vegas can make the difference between having to deal with these injuries for life and getting compensation from the party responsible.
Statute of Limitations on Bus Accidents in Nevada
Nevada has a Statute of Limitations when it comes to filing an auto accident injury lawsuit. You must file a lawsuit within two years of the date you were injured or within two years of the last medical care that you received.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
When it comes to accidents involving buses, the biggest fear is often mechanical failure. It is not uncommon for qualified drivers to lose control or cause an accident due to a mechanical defect. This is more common on older buses, but reports of newer buses with mechanical issues can also occur. Unfortunately, school bus drivers are not immune to this happening and can also be involved in an accident due to a mechanical failure which causes injuries to passengers.
Mechanical problems are most likely to occur during the time between maintenance checks or when new parts have been installed, and they haven’t had time to break in. It is important for bus companies to properly maintain their vehicles and regularly inspect tires to avoid tire blowouts and other accidents. This is why drivers need to be vigilant about their vehicles and report any problems immediately.
Common Problems That Can Cause Bus Accidents Include:
Tire Blowout
There are several factors that can cause bus tire blowouts, which can be dangerous or even deadly for passengers and others on the road. Common carriers are held to a higher standard for vehicle maintenance and regular maintenance checks should prevent some accidents.
Overinflation or Underinflation of the Tires
When a bus tire is over or underinflated, it can lead to excessive wear and tear, which can cause the tire to blowout. A blowout could lead to severe injuries for bus passengers.
Tire Defects
Defective tires can cause a bus tire blowout. This can happen if the tire has a manufacturing defect, such as a weakness in the tire construction or a puncture in the tire sidewall.
Overloading the Bus
When the bus is overloaded, it can put extra stress on the tires, increasing the risk of a blowout.
Rough Road Conditions
When a bus drives over rough or uneven road surfaces, it can cause the tires to wear out more quickly.
Old or Worn-Out Tires
Over time, tires can become worn out, especially if they are not properly maintained or if they are used in bad weather conditions.
Driving at High Speeds
This will potentially increase the strain on tires, which may result in a higher risk of a blowout occurring.
Axle Failure – While not as common as blowouts, axle failures are still possible when it comes to buses. When there’s a mechanical issue with the axle, there’s a risk of it failing and causing the bus to lose control.
Brakes Fail
Most modern buses have some sort of braking system in place that is automated or controlled by the driver. However, in order to be as safe as possible, they should still be inspected for defects before the first trip on a given day. When the brakes fail, it can cause a collision because the driver loses control or has to apply the emergency brake which is not ideal when other vehicles are around.
Distracted Bus Driver
Distracted bus drivers are a common reason for accidents, and there are major consequences for this. They can be caused by the driver’s personal use of devices like cell phones, loud talking with passengers, or other actions that prevent them from paying attention to the road. These distractions cause an increased risk of collision because it can lead to loss of control, and they cannot react quickly enough when there is a problem like a tire blowout or other emergency.
Bus Accidents Statistics in Nevada
The Nevada Governor’s Office of Highway Safety compiled statistics for bus accidents in the state for 2010-2013 that show some good and bad news regarding bus safety:
- About 4% of all fatal crashes in Nevada are a result of bus accidents each year on average.
- Bus accidents in the state have dropped 11% from 2010-2013 compared to previous years. This is good news since bus safety is always a concern for drivers and passengers alike.
- The number of fatalities due to bus accidents has decreased by 29% over the same period of time, while injuries are down 10%.
- There were 186 fatalities, 333 major injuries, and 564 non-incapacitating injuries in 2013 due to bus accidents.
- Distracted driving was the cause of 213 crashes out of 1,640 traffic accident fatalities in Nevada from 2009-2013. This is a huge problem for bus safety at any time, but it becomes even worse during the summer when school buses are being used as part of the transportation system.
Alcohol was involved in about 1,000 of these fatal crashes, while speeding was responsible for another 1,000 deaths. Driver fatigue is also a major factor in traffic accidents when it comes to bus accidents, and almost 20% of fatalities were related to “drowsy driving” in 2013. [1]
Contact Our Experienced Las Vegas Bus Accident Attorneys Today
Accidents involving buses can be devastating, especially when they involve children. These accidents can completely change the lives of an entire family and leave them with a lifetime of debt from medical bills or lost wages due to time spent off work recovering from their injuries. Financial compensation can be sought with the proper representation. Punitive damages may even be available in certain cases to punish the negligent party.
No one wants to be injured in an accident, and no family should have to deal with the pain of a bus wreck that takes away their ability to provide for themselves. Our bus accident attorneys, who have extensive experience, will help you seek compensation for your losses whether you reside in Las Vegas or another area.
The school bus accident lawyers and bus accident lawyers at Shook & Stone law firm are always available to help victims of bus accidents and their families seek compensation for their losses. Each accident is different, depending on factors such as severity and location, which means that filing for compensation can be handled in many diverse ways. Some cases may not need to go through mediation or arbitration at all if they are clear-cut. Financial recovery is still possible in those cases, however, through a personal injury lawsuit.
Call today before you make a decision about your case and learn how a Las Vegas bus accident lawyer can help with the process.
Shook & Stone has been helping victims of accidents for over 20 years. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients through settlements or jury verdicts in bus accident cases. Our firm takes on all types of bus and public transport accidents, such as Greyhound, Megabus, Las Vegas Monorail, taxis, or limousines. Contact us today to speak with a Nevada bus accident lawyer and discuss your legal options for pursuing justice and compensation.
Call our experienced bus accident lawyers for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Source: [1] Oglethorpe University. (2023, May 20). Oglethorpe University. https://oglethorpe.edu/
