With Route 15 passing through our borough, and Bucknell University right there, we see many buses passing through Lewisburg. School buses from the district also drive through downtown, neighborhoods, and rural areas. While buses are efficient ways to transport many people, they can also get into accidents just like any other type of motor vehicle.
When you’ve been in a collision with a bus, or in a crash while on a bus, you could use the help of our Lewisburg bus accident lawyer. At Stapp Law, LLC, we understand how devastating a bus accident is for other vehicles as well as the passengers on the bus. We fight to help victims recover the compensation they deserve after an accident that wasn’t their fault leaves them injured.
Bus Crash Facts for Pennsylvania
When you’re riding in a bus to get to your destination, whether you’re in a school bus or another large commercial bus, you likely assume you’re safe and won’t experience an accident. That’s not always the case, as bus drivers are humans just like everyone else, and can make mistakes.
Even though they are highly trained and usually require special licenses to drive a bus full of occupants, they can still make an error that leads to an accident. Other drivers on the road can cause collisions as well. Looking at the statistics of bus accidents in Pennsylvania can help us understand how often these crashes happen and just how damaging they can be.
In Pennsylvania, our bus accident data focuses on school buses and their crashes. According to PennDOT, these are the school bus crash statistics as outlined by the 2020 Crash Facts and Statistics report:
- 154 total crashes
- 86 property damage only crashes
- 1,270 people left uninjured
- 68 injury crashes
- 146 people injured
- 0 fatal crashes
- 0 fatalities
While the good news is that there weren’t any fatalities in 2020 from school bus accidents, and the majority of passengers and drivers were left uninjured, there still were crashes that resulted in injured people and damaged property.
When you are one of those people hurt and left with damages after a school bus accident, or any other kind of collision involving a bus, you could use the help of our Lewisburg bus accident attorney. We’ll help you recover compensation for what you’ve lost.
Causes of PA Bus Accidents
One of the ways that our lawyers will work for you after a collision involving a bus will be to look at what caused it. Through this examination, we’ll be one step closer to proving another party was at fault for what happened to you. That way, we can ensure you get the justice you deserve.
There are many different causes of bus accidents, which is why an investigation will be necessary—it can be hard to pin down one cause, which is why we’ll need to look at the full scope of what happened to determine who was at fault and who needs to be held accountable.
As mentioned above, bus drivers are required to take special tests and pass certifications in order to be able to drive a bus full of people. Bus drivers are highly trained, which is why it can be surprising to learn that most accidents are caused by the bus driver.
Of course, there are many possible instances where a bus driver isn’t at fault—maybe another driver on the road makes an error, there’s a problem with the road, or a part on the bus fails and causes a wreck. But in general, the bus driver is typically the person who makes the mistake that causes a bus crash.
Here are some of the most common reasons a bus accident occurs in Lewisburg:
- Driver Error
- Driver Fatigue
- Inexperienced Driver
- Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
- Distracted Driver
- Other Drivers on the Road
- Bus Part Failure
- Uneven Weight Distribution in a Bus
- Poor Weather Conditions
- Bad Roads
- Poorly Planned Streets
- Construction Work
One or more of these causes may be present when you’ve experienced a bus accident that injured you. By hiring a Lewisburg bus accident lawyer from Stapp Law, LLC, you can rest assured that your attorneys will know how to investigate your claim to determine if the cause of your wreck was one of the scenarios listed above, or potentially another that hasn’t been listed.
Injuries from Lewisburg Bus Accidents
Another major part of your bus accident claim will be proving you suffered injuries from the wreck. Proving you suffered injuries and subsequent damages are two of the main factors when proving the other party was negligent, which is crucial to your claim.
This is why it’s so important to seek medical treatment directly after a bus crash, even if you don’t think you’re injured. A medical professional will be able to evaluate you and run any tests to see if you’re hurt and how badly. From there, they will make a record that helps your claim as well as starting treatment to help you heal as quickly as possible.
Since there are typically many people on a bus, and usually without seatbelts or other restraints, the injuries from a crash can be anywhere from minor to severe. Here are some of the most common injuries suffered in a bus accident:
- Bruises
- Cuts and Lacerations
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Neck and Back Injuries
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Death
If you suffered from one of the injuries listed above, then you could benefit from seeking the help of our Lewisburg bus accident attorney. Even if the injuries you suffered aren’t in that list, our lawyers are here to answer your questions and determine if you’re eligible to file a bus accident claim to recover financially from your damages.
Stapp Law, LLC Will Fight for You
After a bus accident in Lewisburg, you’re likely interested in taking legal action so you can recover compensation for the injuries and other damages you’ve suffered. Since you should be focusing on your physical and emotional healing, you can count on a Lewisburg bus accident lawyer from Stapp Law, LLC to handle the legal side of things for you.
With help from our attorneys, you can feel confident in your claim and know your rights will be protected. Reach out to our office today so we can start working for you as soon as possible.
