Virginia (STL.News) Virginia has seen its fair share of bus crashes, from the infamous school bus crashes to company and public service bus crashes that injure and (in some cases) kill passengers. These crashes often involve the same types of damages, so it’s essential to be informed on how to deal with them when they happen and understand the causes in order to prevent them.
Knowing how to respond to these terrible situations can mean the difference between life and death. This article discusses the general causes and injuries suffered from bus crashes in VA. Read on to learn more and discover how to protect yourself and your loved ones if you ever get involved in a bus crash in Virginia.
Common Cause of Bus Crashes in VA
Bus crashes are one of the most common types of car accidents in Virginia, and it can be difficult to pinpoint the cause of each individual crash. However, several causes are more common than others. From the accidents that have occurred over the past three years, you’ll realize that driver error is the leading cause of bus accidents. Causes of driver errors could be something as simple as a driver misjudging a turn or not paying attention to traffic. Drivers get fatigued from long hours on the road, leading to over-driving or under-sleeping. Other common causes include but aren’t limited to:
- Intoxicated driving or driving under the influence of substances like alcohol and other recreational drugs
- Failure or negligence to inspect, repair or maintain the bus and equipment
- Inexperienced drivers or inadequate driver training
- Vehicle overloading. This can involve exceeding the passenger capacity or packing excessive cargo.
- Overspeeding and reckless driving
- Driving in heavy rain and other weather conditions that create dangerous surfaces for vehicles
- Ignoring warning signs like red lights, stop signs, bump signs, speed limit warnings, and sharp-corner signs
- Unsafe lane switching and improper turning
- Tailgating at high speeds
If you see one of these issues on a bus, call 911 immediately and report it to your local authorities. We all must do our part to keep these roads safe for all drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Common Injuries From Bus Crashes in VA
While some bus crash injuries are minor, others can be devastating. Bus crash injuries can be classified into four categories: orthopedic, internal injuries, external injuries, and concussions. Orthopedic injuries are those affecting bones and joints. Internal injuries involve organs such as the kidneys and intestines. Physical injuries are the most obvious and affect your outer body, like cuts and scratches. Concussions occur when an injury to your head causes a traumatic brain injury.
How Do These Injuries Occur?
Passengers can be injured from violent impacts, such as when a bus goes off a road, hits another vehicle, or rolls over. Victims may suffer injuries from collisions and burns caused by fire, chemicals, fuel leakage, or friction.
Fortunately, serious injuries are rare for bus crashes, but they can still occur. If you’re involved in a head-on collision between a bus and a small vehicle, your risk of injury is lower than in a crash between bus and truck. Due to the associated dangers, it’s important for passengers who have been involved in a minor or severe bus crash to seek immediate medical attention.
Crucial Steps to Take After a Bus Crash in VA
After a bus crash, the first thing you need to do is call 911 and report the incident. While you’re waiting for emergency services, you can help by checking for fire hazards. Emergency personnel will be focused on saving lives, so if you’re lucky enough to escape unharmed, it’s up to you to get other victims out of harm’s way as quickly as possible. After the crash, the next most important thing to do is get immediate medical attention.
There will likely be interviews with police and insurance companies for both parties involved. If you or a loved one has been injured on a bus due to negligence or other factors, contact a personal injury attorney for more information about your rights and options. It’s essential to take photos and videos then identify a few witnesses to serve as evidence if you decide to take legal action against the bus owner(s).
Endnote
Due to the nature of their operations, long-distance buses in Virginia are much more likely to experience accidents than other types of vehicles on the road. Whether it’s due to mechanical failure, driver inexperience, or reckless driving, other common factors increase the risk of accidents in Virginia. It’s imperative to understand these causes and injuries that result from them to help you prevent or react accordingly after such a misfortune.
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