Most people assume that buses are a safe way to travel. Sadly, that’s not always the case. Tragic reports of Louisiana bus accidents made headlines as recently as March 2011, when a 6-year-old Lafayette boy was dragged to his death after his school bus driver failed to see that he had become trapped in the doors. In 2003, a church bus crash in Tallulah, La., became the subject of a federal study after the bus drifted off Interstate 20 and struck a tractor semi-trailer on the shoulder, killing 8 people and injuring 6 others.
When bus crashes occur, the bus driver is not always the only one to blame for the injuries that result. An experienced Louisiana bus accident attorney can help you determine who is at fault and take legal action against them.
Call the New Orleans law firm of Braud & Gallagher at 866-254-4979 or use our online contact form for a free consultation.
The skilled legal team at Braud & Gallagher is committed to protecting the rights of victims who have sustained catastrophic injuries in Louisiana accidents involving public buses, church buses, motor coaches, private buses and cross-country buses. Our attorneys combine years of legal expertise with innovative technology and aggressive trial techniques so that clients receive the maximum amount of compensation in the shortest amount of time possible.
We have a philosophy at Braud & Gallagher: Our job is not done until you have won.
Braud & Gallagher represents motorcycle accident victims in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Mandeville, Jefferson Parish, St. Charles Parish, Lafourche Parish and throughout Louisiana.
A Winning History for Our New Orleans Accident Lawyers
Braud & Gallagher has a proven track record of success in obtaining top-dollar verdicts and settlements for our clients.
About Louisiana Bus Accidents
The number of deadly bus crashes across America is alarming based on available statistics.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 254 people died and more than 20,000 were injured in bus crashes nationwide in 2009. Of that number, three of the deaths and 186 injuries occurred in Louisiana public bus accidents, school bus crashes, church bus wrecks and private motor coach accidents.
However, those statistics may be telling us only a fraction of the truth about the frequency of fatal motor coach wrecks in America. A 2011 investigation by USA Today found that the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has undercounted the number of bus accidents and deaths that have occurred on the nation’s roadways since at least 1995.
Understanding the frequency and causes of bus accidents is important so that rules regarding crash prevention can be implemented. In 2009, the FMCSA reported the findings of its Bus Crash Causation Study to Congress. Among them:
- Most bus crashes occur in metropolitan areas, such as New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
- 90 % of bus accidents are due to human error, either on the part of the bus driver, other motorists, pedestrians or bicyclists.
- In 15 of 19 cases, the bus driver was responsible for the crash.
- In many cases, bus driver errors were accompanied by violations of hours-of-service regulations and vehicle safety standards.
- Brake failures, electrical fires, and weather conditions also played a role in some of the bus accidents.
Determining Liability in Louisiana Bus Crashes
Louisiana bus drivers and bus companies owe their passengers the highest duty of care when operating their vehicles. School buses, church buses, and other motor coaches are typically not equipped with seat belts and other safety features to protect passengers from harm when a collision occurs, which puts them at serious risk for catastrophic head trauma, spinal cord injuries, neck injuries, broken bones, internal bleeding and other life-altering injuries.
The sheer size and weight of buses exposes other drivers, motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists to similar harm. Large buses can weigh 25,000 pounds or more, not counting the added weight of the passengers aboard. That makes the impact more forceful than collisions with other types of vehicles, which sadly can lead to fatalities or lifelong injuries and disabilities.
Negligent bus drivers are responsible for many accidents. Examples of irresponsible behaviors can include:
- Inattention;
- Abrupt lane changes;
- Veering off the road;
- Failure to notice pedestrians entering the road;
- Driving too fast for weather or road conditions;
- Failure to respond properly to a dangerous situation;
- Driver fatigue;
- Hit-and-run conduct.
While the driver may be held liable in those cases, there are other times when a bus company or third party may be held responsible for the motor coach wreck. Improper maintenance of the brakes, tires, bus seat anchorages or other parts may expose other companies or agencies to liability in a civil claim. When questions of fault arise, it is important to consult with a knowledgeable bus accident attorney who can examine police reports and obtain evidence that can point to who bears responsibility for the wreck. There may be several defendants in your bus accident claim, which may impact the amount of compensation you receive for your injuries.
In general, victims of bus accidents may receive damages to cover expenses such as:
- Medical bills;
- Rehabilitation;
- Physical and occupational therapy;
- Costs for adaptive equipment, such as walkers and wheelchairs;
- Lost wages;
- Loss of productivity;
- Scars and disfigurement;
- Pain and suffering;
- Punitive damages (in certain cases).
In cases where a family has lost a loved one in a fatal bus crash, it may be possible to file a wrongful death action that can also yield compensation for economic and non-economic losses.
Contact Our New Orleans Bus Accident Lawyers Today
If you or a family member has been catastrophically injured in a Louisiana bus accident, call Braud & Gallagher at 866-254-4979 or use our online contact form for a no-cost consultation. Our Louisiana accident attorneys represent injury clients in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Mandeville, Jefferson Parish, St. Charles Parish, Lafourche Parish, Terrebonne Parish, St. John the Baptist and throughout Louisiana.
Remember, our job is not done until you have won.
