Common Causes of Bus Accidents
If you have been injured in a bus accident in Las Vegas, you may be wondering if you are eligible to receive compensation. Here are some important things to know about the most common causes of bus accidents.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents | Other Vehicles and Pedestrians
Bus accidents occur when a public transit bus, school bus, or similar commercial vehicle crashes into a pedestrian, an animal, a non-moving object, or another motor vehicle. The causes of these accidents are diverse, and any combination of factors can result in a bus accident. The most common basis is human error; bus drivers, passengers, passersby, or other nearby drivers may make unsafe choices that spur a collision. A pedestrian may suddenly wander onto the road, leading the bus driver either to strike the pedestrian by accident or to swerve out of the way and collide with a nearby car or object. The bus driver or the driver of a nearby car may engage in reckless driving, 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’s worth of distraction may have major consequences.
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Common Causes of Bus Accidents | Road Conditions
Many bus accidents, however, have little to do with the actions of the bus driver or other parties. Though inclement weather is uncommon in Las Vegas and its suburbs, a sudden thunderstorm during the summer months can make roads slippery and reduce visibility. A bus may collide with another vehicle if it has been improperly maintained—brakes may fail, the driver could lose steering, or a tire may blow out, sending the bus careening into another vehicle, or vice versa.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents | Equipment Malfunctions
Because “bus accident” is an umbrella term, it can refer to motor vehicle collisions as well as to injuries brought on by faulty equipment inside a bus itself. 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 may come loose or break, instantly leaving standing commuters with nothing to hold onto as they stumble around.
These are but a few examples of the many potential problems that can lead to injuries in an onboard bus accident. If you have any questions about bus accident injuries and whether or not you are eligible to receive compensation, please contact our offices today to schedule a free case evaluation with our experienced Las Vegas Bus Accident Lawyer.