Oklahoma City Bus Accidents
We like to think of buses as large, lumbering, vehicles that provide hundreds of thousands of people daily rides to work, school, and recreational activities. However, bus accidents are surprisingly common, sometimes resulting in serious injuries to passengers. The lack of seatbelts on buses that are tall and more likely to tip or roll in an accident compared to smaller vehicles may result in a higher chance of injuries.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Oklahoma City
It takes many different components of bus travel to ensure a safe trip for passengers. All involved entities from the bus company and driver to bus repair companies and road safety crews must all take reasonable care to prevent causing injuries. Unfortunately, when one party breaches their duty of care, it can result in a bus crash. Common causes of Oklahoma bus accidents include the following:
- Driver distraction
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improper merging
- Unsafe speeding
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Aggressive driving
- Tailgating
- Fatigued driving
- Drunk or otherwise impaired driving
- Mechanical defects or failures
- A negligent motorist
- Road hazards
Bus accidents are terrifying and traumatic, often resulting in multiple injured passengers and further injuries as passengers rush to exit the bus.
What Types of Injuries Happen in Oklahoma City Bus Accidents?
Most buses do not come equipped with seatbelts. This is due to what crash experts call the “compartmentalization effect” of tall, cushioned, closely spaced seatbacks that provide protection to seated passengers during a front or rear collision. However, in a serious bus accident—especially in side-impact collisions, tip-overs, or rollovers— this protection isn’t enough to prevent injuries. Common injuries in bus accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Fractures
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries to knees, shoulders, wrists, and ankles
- Internal organ injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations, abrasions, and contusions
- Burns
Injuries in bus accidents cause significant economic hardship in addition to pain and suffering. Often, victims accumulate large medical bills at the same time that they aren’t able to return to work. A successful Oklahoma City bus accident claim can help an injury victim’s economic recovery so they can focus on their physical recovery.
Who Is Liable for an Oklahoma City Bus Accident?
Because it takes multiple entities to put safe, reliable buses on the road, a bus accident requires an investigation to determine the cause of the accident and identify the at-fault party. Most accidents result from negligence and human error. Common liable parties in Oklahoma City large truck accident claims include:
- The bus driver
- The bus company
- A city or county transit or school transportation agency
- A bus maintenance or repair company
- The manufacturer of a defective part
- Another driver
- A negligent road maintenance agency or roadway planning department
Bus companies and busing agencies have powerful attorneys and large insurance companies. A bus accident victim deserves experienced representation to protect their right to compensation.
How Can a Bus Accident Attorney in Oklahoma City Help My Case?
When you’ve experienced serious injuries, you need serious legal counsel safeguarding your best interests, especially against large bus companies after an accident. Call Dan Davis Law for a free evaluation of your case so we can take prompt action on your behalf.