By admin on March 22, 2012 -
In the past week, the United States saw four bus accidents in just two days. In Indiana, a student and a driver were both killed when a school bus crashed into a bridge support. In Missouri, eleven students suffered broken bones and other injuries when their bus rolled into a ditch, the result of a distracted driver. Washington State and Ohio also saw crashes that left dozens of students injured, some seriously.
With this sudden increase in school bus accidents come concerns from parents nationwide about the safety of traveling by school bus. However, experts say that the accident rate is a fluke. Normally, school buses have a much lower rate of accidents and injuries than other forms of motor vehicle travel. Although most school buses are not equipped with seat belts, they are equipped with a great deal of safety equipment, including lights and signs, and most drivers are committed to the safety of their passengers above all else.
Nevertheless, about 17,000 children are treated for school bus accident injuries each year, leading many to question whether a federal law should require seat belts in all school buses. Currently, only buses under 10,000 pounds are required to have seat belts under federal law, although six states also require them in all buses.
The road to recovery can be long and difficult after a serious school bus accident. At Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., our Seattle bus accident attorneys understand the struggles injured victims face and we are dedicated to obtaining just compensation so that you and your family can focus on healing. For a free and confidential consultation, call us today at (888) 228-3860.
By admin on July 18, 2011 -
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces many rules and regulations to improve the safety of large trucks and passenger buses that share the road with other motorists. One of the most well-known regulations is the Hours of Service (HOS) requirement, which limits the number of hours a truck or bus driver can drive without resting. Limiting hours of service helps prevent driver fatigue, which is a common cause of accidents.
Commercial bus companies must follow the FMCSA’s Hours of Service regulations if the buses travel between states and they fit into any of the following categories:
- The bus carries a total weight or gross vehicle weight, including passengers and cargo, of 10,001 pounds or more.
- The bus is used to transport nine or more people, including the driver, for compensation.
- The bus is used to transport 16 or more people, including the driver, regardless of whether compensation is paid.
- The bus is traveling out of state or in-state and carries hazardous materials in large enough amounts to require vehicle placards warning of the danger.
Most driving companies keep track of their drivers’ hours of service in written logbooks, which an FMCSA authority may review from time to time to make sure drivers are meeting the requirements. Drivers or companies that violate the hours of service requirements greatly increase the risk of an accident and also put themselves at risk of being fined heavily.
If you have been involved in a bus accident caused by a negligent bus driver, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced bus accident attorneys in Washington at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. For a free and confidential consultation, call us today at 888-228-3860 to find out more about how we can help you protect your legal rights.
