Truck Accident FAQ
Bus and truck accidents occur all over the United States, and these accidents are often very different from accidents which involve two passenger vehicles, as there’s usually more damage and multiple parties may bear responsibility for the accident. Because these accidents are typically complex, a lot of individuals have questions about them, and the common questions are answered below.
Call 1-800-HURT-511 when you want to speak with a bus and truck accident lawyer at the Sanders Law Firm. We’ve secured favorable judgments for accident victims throughout the Five Boroughs, and we’ll exhaust every option so you get the compensation you deserve.
Why Do Bus Accidents Happen?
A variety of factors can cause a bus accident to happen. Bad weather and poor road conditions can lead to a bus accident. Speeding is also another common cause, but speeding isn’t the only kind of reckless driving that a bus may do. A bus may also tailgate, fail to signal, or weave in and out of lanes. Distracted driving and driving while tired are also common bus accident causes, and a bus driver driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is also likely to lead to an accident.
How Common Are Bus Accidents?
It’s been found that close to 60,000 bus accidents happen each year in the United States. Bus accidents don’t tend to be fatal, but hundreds of individuals still die every year as a result of bus accidents. And while bus accidents don’t tend to be fatal, they cause thousands of injuries every year. Over the years, bus accidents have become less fatal, but they’ve become more common. It’s likely that state and federal regulations have made bus accidents less deadly, and the rise in accidents can be attributed to more buses being on the road now than there were before.
What About School Bus Accidents?
School buses are even safer than public buses and private buses. Between the years 2004 and 2013, school bus accidents accounted for a mere 0.4% of fatal motor vehicle accidents. Each year, over 100 individuals lose their lives as a result of school bus accidents, but the majority of these deaths are not children. School buses are some of the most regulated vehicles on the road, and this is a major reason why school bus accidents are not common and rarely deadly.
What Can Happen In A Bus Accident?
When a bus accident occurs, there’s usually significant damage. A bus is a large vehicle, and if it hits something while traveling at a high speed, the damage is likely to be devastating. Moreover, bus passengers can get significantly injured when the bus makes a sudden impact. Passengers are likely to be thrown from their seats, and such tends to result in broken bones, whiplash, and a variety of other injuries. And if a bus hits a pedestrian, a bicyclist, or a small passenger vehicle, injuries from the accident are likely to be much more severe.
What Are Common Bus Accident Injuries?
An individual who’s involved in a bus accident may sustain any of the following injuries:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- A concussion
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Cuts
- Bruises
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Disc Herniation
- PTSD
Is Suing A Private Bus Company Different Than Suing A Public Transportation System?
Suing a public bus company is similar to suing a private bus company, but there are some differences that one must keep in mind, especially if they’re suing a government entity. For one, there’s a statute of limitations, and usually an accident victim has a year or two to file a claim. Also, an accident victim has to file what’s known as a notice of claim. This notice essentially informs the government agency that they’re going to be sued. The notice of claim must be filed before legal action is taken, and usually an accident victim has six months to file a notice of claim after an accident occurs.
Why Do Truck Accidents Happen?
The factors that lead to bus accidents also lead to truck accidents, but there are more factors that truck drivers have to be cognizant of. For example, a truck may have unsecured cargo, and this could lead to an accident. It may also be that the driver is not taking mandated breaks, or they could be driving a truck that hasn’t been properly inspected recently. Because trucks are for the most part owned by private companies, they’re not scrutinized like buses, so they’re more prone to getting in accidents.
How Common Are Truck Accidents?
Unlike bus accidents, truck accidents are far more fatal. An individual is killed or seriously injured by a truck accident every 15 minutes in the United States. And out of the 500,000 accidents that occur every year, about 5000 (1%) result in death. Truck accidents are a lot more common because there are a lot more trucks than buses on the roads, and because trucks are often traveling on the highways and at high rates of speed, these accidents tend to be associated with extensive damage, severe injuries, and death.
Who’s Liable In A Truck Accident?
In a truck accident, determining liability is often complex, as many parties could bear responsibility. For example, the driver could be held liable along with the company they work for. Or it could be that the company that improperly loaded the truck with cargo could be held liable. And if a truck gets in an accident because of a failed part, the manufacturer of the part may be held liable. Experienced truck accident lawyers in Queens know how to determine liability in a case, and that’s one reason why it’s a good idea to get in touch with one if you’ve been involved in a
truck accident in Queens.
What Are Common Truck Accident Injuries?
The injuries accident victims sustain after a truck accident are the same injuries that accident victims sustain after a bus accident. However, truck accident injuries tend to be more severe, and that’s because truck accidents tend to be more devastating.
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Concussion
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Cuts
- Bruises
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Disc Herniation
- PTSD
What Do Bus & Truck Accident Lawyers Do?
Bus and truck accident lawyers like the ones at the Sanders Law Firm help accident victims navigate the legal process so they can receive fair compensation for injuries and damages.
Call the Sanders law firm at 1-800-HURT-511 if you’ve been injured in a bus or truck accident. We’ve helped accident victims in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and NYC, and we’ll help you and your family get through this trying time.
