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New Jersey Bus Accident Lawyers

There are times when getting on a bus can endanger a person’s life depending on the circumstances of that day’s travel. Although most people would gladly put their lives in the hands of an experienced bus driver, these people are as human as the rest of us.

Buses are a common means of transportation in metropolitan areas of New York and New Jersey surrounding Manhattan. As travelers in these areas may know, heavy traffic can be one of the many catalysts of an accident. In the State of New Jersey, a bus is considered a common carrier and the driver of the bus must protect their passengers and act responsibly at all times.

What Causes Bus Accidents?

One of the many causes of bus accidents is negligence by the bus companies themselves. The motor coach industry transports more than 700 million passengers every year in the U.S. However, even though buses serve as many people as the airline industry does, the record-keeping and bus inspection protocols are somehow not nearly as straight. This means that bus companies often ignore federal regulations, don’t provide enough training for their drivers, and also don’t keep their fleets maintained.

Buses require a great deal of upkeep and maintenance to keep them safely operating. Older school buses, motor coaches, and Greyhound buses that lack seat belts and other safety equipment may increase the risk of an accident.

Bus Driver Fatigue

Although bus drivers are sometimes directly responsible for accidents due to texting or making calls on their cell phones, an overlooked element of bus accidents is bus driver fatigue.

Fatigue, and fatigue caused by sleep apnea, is the top highway killer in the U.S. Drivers with obstructive sleep apnea have 2.5 times greater risk of having a highway accident than drivers without sleep apnea. The American Trucking Association states that at least 28% of its drivers have problems with sleep apnea, compared to 4% of the general population. The numbers are assumedly similar to bus drivers.

Causes of a bus accident can result from negligent driving, faulty maintenance, dangerous roads, defective auto parts, or even bad weather conditions.

Bad Weather

In rare cases, a bus accident could be caused by inclement weather or poor road conditions. Hazardous weather coupled with the bus’s weight and inability to quickly maneuver around situations can cause wrecks.

Bus Fires

Bus fires can also be very dangerous. Passengers at the back of the bus may not be able to escape, and escape hatches might be too small. Fumes can overcome the passengers before they can exit.

Typically, bus fires occur in two locations: the engine compartment, which is the cause of about 60% of all bus fires, and tires and wheel wells.

Engine compartment fires can typically be prevented by careful, systemic maintenance as dirty engines covered with grease and oily substances from age or leakage create a ripe condition for fires from even a small spark or the high heat of travel.

For tire and wheel fires, underinflated tires are a significant problem, as radial tires hold their shape even with low air pressure. Even when tires are operated at low air pressure, heat builds up quickly (particularly at highway speeds) and a fire can result. Most commonly this is due to underinflation of the inside dual tire.

Public Transportation

Public bus transit in New Jersey and New York is a crucial mode of transportation, ferrying tens of thousands of people throughout the cities each day. For many, the public bus is their only form of transportation to and from work, shopping, or attending events. While bus accidents are rarer than passenger vehicles, accidents do occur and the resulting injuries can be serious, particularly for bicyclists or pedestrians struck by one. Causes of public transit bus accidents include young, inexperienced drivers, sudden lane changes, cyclists and pedestrians darting into the street, and difficult operating on congested streets.

New Jersey Bus Accident Lawyers to the Rescue

Ellis Law has been helping bus accident and other auto accident victims for the past twenty years. No matter where you have been injured, our team of personal injury attorneys is here to help you settle your case and obtain the compensation you need for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Get a good traffic attorney at your side. Call us today at 888-ELLIS-LAW.

Buses are a very common means of transportation, particularly in the metropolitan areas in New York and New Jersey surrounding Manhattan. In the State of New Jersey, a bus is considered a common carrier and the driver of the bus must protect their passengers and act responsibly at all times. Unfortunately, bus drivers are only human and due to lack of caution or elements out of their control, serious bus accidents do occur. If you or a loved one has been a victim in a bus accident in the New Jersey area, contact the skilled civil trial lawyers at Ellis Law. We know how a sudden accident or the unexpected death of a loved one can turn your life and the lives of the people you care about upside down. That’s why our personal injury attorneys and staff members are dedicated to handling every aspect of your case so you can focus on your recovery.

Causes of a bus accident can be a variety of things such as negligent driving, faulty maintenance, dangerous roads, defective auto parts, or even bad weather conditions. A driver needs to be aware of any obstacles such as uneven roads or changes in weather that might require changes in their driving or even emergency maneuvering.

Bus accidents can cause serious injury to not only its passengers but also other drivers, passengers of other vehicles, and even pedestrians. Common injuries relating to bus accidents include bruising, internal organ damage, fractured bones, and head trauma. Contact an experienced accident attorney to begin the process of recovering monetary compensation for any accident-related expenses.

For more than two decades in New York and New Jersey, our personal injury lawyers at Ellis Law have helped thousands of auto accident victims find the solutions that they deserve. No matter where you have been injured, our Freehold attorneys can help you obtain the personal injury compensation you need for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact us online or call our offices at 888-355-4752 today.

Meet Our Attorneys


Herb Ellis

Partner

Herbert Ellis


Jonathan Ellis

Partner

Jonathan Ellis


Amy

Associate

Amy Buchansky-Francesco


Stephen Slavoff, Jr.

Associate

Stephen Slavoff, Jr.


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