The Potential Tragedies of Charter Bus Accidents
Local 10 News recently reported that three tourists remain in a South Florida hospital after the Bahamas bus accident that they, along with one additional passenger, were injured in so severely that they had to be rushed off the island. The four victims were among 32 Carnival cruise ship passengers taking part in a shore excursion when the bus crash occurred and they had to be airlifted back to the United States. Among the most severely injured victims when they were flown back on a military aircraft, doctors now assert that one of the patients will make a full recovery, another will need some further treatment and the remaining patient, who was thought to be paralyzed, is showing signs of improvement. Representatives of Carnival Cruise Line have stated publicly that all bus tours on the island have been suspended.
Between the large number of tourists that come from out of state to visit one of our amusement parks to those who travel in a large group to reach a cruise port, charter buses actually play an important role in the state of Florida for a number of reasons. Therefore, it is important to understand how often these kinds of accidents occur – and who can be held responsible.
How Often do Charter Bus Accidents Occur?
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were almost 5,000 large trucks and buses involved in fatal crashes in 2017 alone. This represents a 40 percent increase in fatal crashes involving large trucks or buses between 2009 and 2017.
What Types of Injuries Can Be Sustained In Charter Bus Accidents?
Due to the nature of buses and the fact that they usually lack proper restraints, a collision with another vehicle or even a single-vehicle crash can cause passengers on a charter bus to suffer serious injuries. These injuries can include:
- Lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Contusions
- Broken or shattered bones
- Neck or head injuries
- Whiplash
- Back sprains
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury
- Amputation
- Wrongful death
Who is Liable For Injuries Resulting From a Charter Bus Accident?
There are often multiple potential defendants in a charter bus accident. Parties that can be held liable can include the charter bus company, the organization that arranged for the charter bus, and the driver whose negligent behavior caused the accident to occur. Determining who the appropriate parties to hold liable are is often a difficult determination for accident victims. This is one of many reasons why it is so important to obtain an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible who can help you thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the accident that you were injured in and ensure that you hold all of the responsible parties accountable.
Have You or a Loved One Been Injured in a Charter Bus Accident?
Tragically, a collision with a charter bus can lead to some of the worst injuries around. And unfortunately, unlike in a regular car accident where there is a collision with another vehicle, victims of charter bus accidents are often confused about where to turn for help. The silver lining to this type of collision is that even if you feel alone, you are not – you simply need the right legal help from the right legal team to ensure that you get the right results. The Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm are the legal team that you need on your side. Contact us for help today.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Jacksonville, Tampa, Bradenton, Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Orlando and Daytona Beach areas.
Resource:
local10.com/news/local/fort-lauderdale/3-tourists-remain-in-south-florida-hospital-after-bahamas-bus-crash
https://www.pendaslaw.com/the-factors-contributing-to-on-ramp-and-off-ramp-accidents/
