While buses provide a fairly safe way to transport a large number of passengers, those on board face serious risks when a collision occurs.
Whether it is a public bus or one used for private transportation, passengers on a bus could suffer serious and even fatal injuries in the event of an accident.
Bus-truck collision
Based on recent reports, a bus-truck accident occurred in Virginia last month. The bus involved was operating as a party bus when it was struck in the rear by a tractor-trailer truck.
The preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board stated that there were 23 passengers on the bus at the time of the accident. Furthermore, it was reported that the impact of the crash destroyed the passenger compartment of the bus, causing several passengers to be ejected from the bus.
The crash resulted in three fatalities, with the remaining passengers and both drivers suffering varying injuries.
Investigating cause
At the time of this report, the collision was still under investigation to establish the cause. The reports indicated that the truck was approaching the bus in the far-right lane of Interstate 64, going at a higher speed than the bus. This resulted in the truck colliding with the rear of the bus.
The Virginia State Police made a statement that they believe alcohol and speed were contributing factors. No charges have been filed at this time, as the investigation is ongoing. Court documents indicate that the party bus was modified and could not travel more than 40 mph.
Court documents indicate that the truck driver told investigators that he did not see any taillights on the bus leading up to the collision. This information is pertinent when it comes to establishing cause and liability.
Fatal accidents are traumatic for the surviving family members. When it is unclear what caused the fatal incident, it can make it especially challenging and emotional.
Nonetheless, there are options and rights when it comes to fatal accidents. Surviving family members can file a wrongful death action. This not only helps establish liability but also assists with the recovery of compensation.