Jersey City, NJ Accident on Southern State Parkway: Bus Accidents Revisited

Late last night, a charter bus carrying teenagers returning home from a spring break trip from Europe struck a bridge overpass on Long Island. The top of the charter bus suffered severe damage. Shattered glass and mangled metal were everywhere. As a result, six passengers were seriously injured and thirty-seven other passengers suffered minor injuries. The driver did not appear to be under the influence of any type of substance but was not familiar with interstate commercial vehicle restrictions.

This story is a reminder of how deadly bus accidents can be. If you are a victim or are the family member of a victim, you are going to need an experienced bus accident attorney on your side.

Bus Accidents: Need-To-Know Info

According to 2014 report from the U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation, 69,000 bus accidents occurred across the entire United States. As a result, 233 people died and 11,000 were injured. These types of accidents happen more often than one would think. But, why? We tend to think of busses as one of the safest forms of transportation. On average, 360 million people use buses per year to travel. So, it’s shocking when they are involved in an accident. Some of the more common causes are:

• Bus driver error or negligence
• Accidents caused by other drivers, such as a distracted driver
• Failure of bus companies to meet safety regulations
• Defective parts and other product liability issues
• Unsafe roadway conditions

In New Jersey, a bus is considered a common carrier. This means that a bus driver has a legal duty to protect all passengers. In addition to the driver, the company that maintains and operates the bus has a legal obligation to keep the vehicle safe for both occupation and operation. Failure on any of these fronts can, and often does, result in serious personal injury.

A passenger who is injured in a bus accident may make a claim against the bus company’s PIP coverage or other medical payment insurance. However, not all bus companies carry this type of insurance. Making a claim against MedPay insurance can be an option, but that usually comes with minimal success. With luck, the injured party will be permitted to submit claims to their health insurance provider.

We have taken the liberty to provide some simple steps you should take if you are the victim of a bus accident. The first is filing a report. If the accident is large enough, like the one that happened last night, law enforcement will be there to take your account of the incident. Taking pictures of the incident would be a good idea as well. Also, never sign any documents about a bus accident until you speak to your attorney; as with any type of accident or legal matter.

Contact Us Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident anywhere in New Jersey, contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone to schedule a free initial consultation today.