Causes of Bus Accidents

Are you wondering what the causes of bus accidents are? Bus accidents occur when a public transit bus, school bus, or similar commercial vehicle crashes into a pedestrian, animal, non-moving object, or another motor vehicle. Because these accidents are diverse, any combination of factors can result in a bus accident. The most common basis is human error; bus drivers, passengers, pedestrians, or other nearby drivers may make unsafe choices that cause a collision.

Causes of Bus Accidents | Pedestrians

A pedestrian may suddenly walk into the road, leaving the bus driver either to strike the pedestrian or swerve out of the way and collide with a car or object. The bus driver or the driver of a car close by may drive recklessly triggering a crash when one of the vehicles stops short or abruptly changes lanes. Buses tend to make wide turns, and a car that fails to yield to a turning bus can easily cause a crash. Though a rare occurrence, a bus driver may be too tired to focus or too intoxicated to effectively operate the bus, and even a split-second distraction may have major consequences.

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Causes of Bus Accidents | Car Crash

Some bus accidents, however, have little to do with the actions of the bus driver or other parties. A bus may collide with another vehicle if it has been improperly maintained, breaks may fail, the driver could lose steering, or a tire may blow out, sending the bus careening into another vehicle.

Causes of Bus Accidents | Faulty Equipment

Because “bus accident” is an umbrella term, it can refer to motor vehicle collisions as well as to injuries caused by faulty equipment inside a bus. A wheelchair lift can unexpectedly stall, stranding a passenger with a disability outside the bus in the hot Las Vegas sun. A bus seat can become dislodged, forcing a passenger to fly forward. A handle make break lose or break, instantly leaving the standing customers with nothing to hold onto as they stumble around the bus. These are but a few examples of the many potential problems that can lead to injuries while on the bus or in a bus accident.

If you have any further questions, please call our office today for a free consultation with Las Vegas bus accident lawyer Craig Murphy.