Throughout the United States, there are numerous types of commercial transportation available. The most common types of commercial transport include airplanes, trains, and buses. More than 700 million Americans are transported by motor coaches each year, which is approximately the same amount as carried by airlines. Commercial buses can include city, school, and curbside buses. The latter may not be a term you are familiar with. “Curbside” buses are those that pick up or deliver passengers on street corners instead of bus stations. These types of buses are often popular due to their affordable prices. Due to minimal overhead and the drivers’ salaries being low, they are able to price their tickets competitively.
Unfortunately, curbside buses that are privately operated have been reported to be seven times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident in comparison to other interstate buses. This information is based on a report released by the National Transportation Safety Board in 2011. These dangers have prompted orders to shutdown many curbside bus companies.
Oftentimes curbside bus companies are operated in an unethical manner. Areas that pose significant dangers to the general public include:
- Insufficient or poor safety equipment. The buses used by curbside bus companies are often dated. The repairs made to seats and other safety features are often poor, posing hazardous conditions for passengers.
- Driver fatigue. Falling asleep at the wheel is a problem for many drivers, especially those who work long hours, such as tractor trailer operators and curbside bus drivers. These drivers are often required to work long hours or to travel a minimum distance before stopping to rest, which is extremely dangerous. The Department of Transportation regulates specific time periods in which commercial drivers are required to rest, which many curbside bus companies ignore.
- Driver qualification. Many curbside bus companies hire drivers that are not adequately qualified to perform the job safely. They then fail to have those drivers qualified themselves. Many Commercial Driving Licenses are assigned each year to drivers who have not truly earned them.
- Inadequate compensation existing for injured victims. Curbside bus operators often carry only the minimum amount of insurance required of them, which usually is not enough to cover damages in the event of a crash. In commercial vehicle accidents such as these, it is probable that there will be multiple claims against the company for damages, which lessens the chances of gaining compensation even more.
At Jones & Swanson, we have been representing victims of Georgia automobile accidents for many years. This allows Attorneys Andrew Jones and Chase Swanson to fully comprehend the necessary steps in recovering financial compensation for victims of these accidents. Commercial vehicle accidents, like those of curbside buses, are especially difficult to comprehend due to the necessity to prove liability in a crash before gaining compensation. We will work diligently with industry professionals to win your case. For more information on what to do if you or someone you know are severely injured as a result of an auto accident, contact our injury attorneys today at (770) 427-5498 for a free consultation.
Categories: Bus Accidents
