Since the 66,000 bus accidents that took place in the United States in 2013, there have been consistent increases in the reported accident numbers annually. Nationwide, hundreds of these crashes are fatal each year, and Texas has one of the highest nationalĀ rates forĀ bus accident fatalitiesĀ per 100 million total vehicle miles traveled (VMT). It may be sadly unsurprising that some of theĀ most tragicĀ andĀ deadly bus accidentsĀ in history have taken place in Texas.Ā
Bus accidents are especially deadly for other motorists. Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities make up about 1/3 of bus wreck fatalities each year, the remaining 2/3 being passengers in motor vehicles. The insurance coverage carried by the operators of these large vehicles may be helpful in recuperative costs. But, if you are a victim of a serious bus accident that results in catastrophic injury or loss of life, no amount of payout willĀ ever truly make up for what you have suffered. Insurers like Farmers, Allstate, State Farm, Progressive, Nationwide, Geico, etc. are well-practiced in protecting their interests in the aftermath of a serious accident. Ā
In addition to concerns about fighting huge corporations for your just compensation, many bus accidents involve city liability. Examples might include the case of city bus involvement or city infrastructure as a contributing factor to the crash. Often, cities narrow the more standard personal injury statute of limitationsā 2-year term all the way down to a 90Ā or 60–day windowĀ in whichĀ you are permitted to bring a lawsuit.Ā
In light ofĀ the serious injuries and losses, complications of insurance company restrictions, and city or state–imposed limitations that arise in the wake of bus accidents, it is extremely beneficial to seek the assistance of anĀ accomplished bus accident attorney. Our legal experts have vast experience with all types of motor vehicle collisions and know how to handle the big insurance companies like Farmers. We are always ready to fight for our clientsā rightful compensation because we understand the suffering that comes from a dangerous accident. If you have been hurt in a bus crash, please reach out to Thompson Law right away for the help you need.Ā
Call 844-308-8180Ā
Bus Insurance Regulations and RequirementsĀ
There are two main categorizations that determine the insurance and liability requirementsĀ whichĀ bus owners must carry.Ā These standards are set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and there are additional protections from the Texas Department ofĀ Transportation (TxDOT).Ā Ā
The main FMCSA standards are:Ā
- DoesĀ the bus only travel within state limits, or doesĀ itĀ cross state lines to travel elsewhere?Ā
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- Interstate: The bus provides transportation which sometimes or always crosses state lines.Ā
- Intrastate: The bus only provides transportation in its home state.Ā Ā
Ā Ā Ā 2. Including the driver, is the bus designed to carry less than 16 peopleĀ or more?Ā Minimum levels of financial responsibility are determined by the highest seating capacity of a vehicle within a fleet operated by an interstate for-hire motor carrier of passengers.Ā
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- A vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers: $5,000,000Ā insurance required.Ā
- A vehicle designed to transport 15 or fewer passengers: $1,500,000 insurance required.Ā
There are exceptions to these insurance requirements, and theyĀ DO NOT apply to:Ā
- A motor vehicle transporting only school children and school personnel to and from school
- A motor vehicle providing taxicab service and having a seating capacity of less thanāÆ7 passengers and not operated on a regular route or between specified pointsĀ
- A motor vehicle carrying less than 16 people in a single daily round trip commute to and from workĀ Ā
- A motor vehicle operated by a motor carrier under contract providing transportation of pre-primary, primary, and secondary students for extracurricular trips organized sponsored, and paid by a school district.āÆ
Types of Buses and WhoĀ is Responsible for InsuringĀ ThemĀ
Insurance regulationsĀ and requirements can varyĀ for different types of buses based on their useĀ category.Ā The institutions thatĀ insureĀ these fleets are often liable parties in the case of an accident. Your experiencedĀ bus accident attorneyĀ (link to commercial vehicle when up) will be able to examine the details and circumstances of your accident to evaluate which liable parties toĀ pursue for damages.Ā
SchoolĀ BusesĀ ā The relatively minimal requirements of whatĀ itĀ takes to become a schoolĀ bus driver in the state ofĀ TexasĀ may surprise you.Ā School districtsĀ are responsible for maintaining insurance coverage of buses in the fleet that serves their schools and districts. Additionally, they are required to purchase and maintain vehicles in their fleet that adhere to federal and state safety standards, which are frequently reiterated or improved upon by their general liability insurance policy requirements.Ā Reciprocally,Ā school busĀ manufacturers must construct the carriage and body of their buses to meet these standards, and have documentation accordingly, before they are able to sell the buses to school systems.Ā
Bus Rapid TransitĀ ā Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) include City Buses like Dallasā DART and otherĀ Public Transit Buses aimed at easing congestion in denseĀ metroĀ areas and supporting a larger public transit network. The fleet is owned and insured by the city or state.Ā
Commuter BusesĀ āĀ Serving as public transit for large metropolitan networks, (Dallasā DART would also qualify as commuter service), these buses may be owned and operated by the cityĀ or state theyĀ serve,Ā andĀ they areĀ insured by this ownershipĀ too.Ā
Inter-City BusesĀ āĀ Greyhound,Ā MegaBusĀ and otherĀ MegaĀ CoachesĀ all have theirĀ particular niches, but largely share common characteristics. They mainly transport passengers between regional city centers, as well as longer routes, often overnight and in competition with train travel. These buses are insured by the companies that own and operate their fleet.Ā
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Causes of Bus Accidents and the Injuries that Can ResultĀ
Causes of bus accidentsĀ are often the same as causes of other motor vehicle collisions, although the size, weight, and bearing of buses do account for some differences. Due to their height and weight distribution, buses are more susceptible to rollover after certain types of impact or speed changes.Ā Even if the bus driver is driving safely, the cars around them and in their larger blind spots can cause accidents. Some bus accident causes include:Ā
- Poor or Negligent DrivingĀ ā speeding, failure to maintain lane positionĀ
- Dangerous Driving ConditionsĀ ā bad weather, dawn/dusk/dark driving, icy or slippery roadsĀ
- HeavyĀ TrafficĀ ā aggressive driving, stop/start dangersĀ
- ConstructionĀ ā poor signage and visibility, driver confusion, complicated traffic patternsĀ
- Distracted DrivingĀ ā texting, checking maps, eatingĀ while drivingĀ
Some bus statistics are comforting, including the fact that school students who travel to and from their schools by bus areĀ 70% more likely to arrive safelyĀ than those who travel in cars. However, when thingsĀ do go wrong with buses,Ā resultingĀ injury and loss can be severe. Experienced personal injury litigators see tragic results after serious bus accidents including:Ā
- WhiplashĀ
- FlyingĀ ObjectĀ InjuriesĀ
- Cuts, Scratches, BruisesĀ
- Head,Ā Neck,Ā Back,Ā Spinal InjuriesĀ
- Brain InjuriesĀ
- Broken BonesĀ
- ParalysisĀ
- Dismemberment or AmputationĀ
- Wrongful DeathĀ
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What to do AfterĀ Being Involved in a Bus AccidentĀ
After a bus accident,Ā always call the proper authorities. Police should document the scene and take statements of witnesses and those involved in the accident. DO NOT make statements to any other parties, and DO NOT make a statement to the driver.Ā Ā
BecauseĀ buses often do not have seat belts, they are designed to be heavier andĀ absorb crash shockĀ differently.Ā This means that crash scenes involving buses can be different from other car and truck crashes. The different weight distribution of a bus can stillĀ resultĀ inĀ injuries to the people aboard, butĀ itĀ can be particularly dangerousĀ to the passengers ofĀ anyĀ otherĀ vehiclesĀ involvedĀ in the collision.Ā There is a reason we use the phrase āhit by a busā to describe being in great discomfort or pain.Ā
When the ambulance arrives, get fully checked out and cleared byĀ theĀ emergency medical professionals (EMS) before you leave the scene. Sometimes the adrenaline rush after an accident canĀ disguise injuries,Ā aches, and painsĀ in the moment.Ā Trust the experts to examine you and confirm any known or suspected injuries.Ā Ā
Exercise caution in your routine in the days following the bus crash and absolutely note if you are feeling āoffā in any way. Please seek the care that you needĀ without delay. Whether you go straight to the ER from the crash scene or visit the doctor the next day, the important thing is that youĀ consult medical professionalsĀ for their assessment of your condition and get treatment recommendations.Ā Delaying treatmentĀ not only jeopardizes your health, itĀ alsoĀ risks the outcome of your personal injury claim.Ā Ā
Finally, doĀ not take any calls from insurance agentsĀ after the accidentĀ until you have talked to your designated bus accident attorney. If you have any questions about what to do, feel free toĀ contactĀ Thompson Law forĀ a free consultation about yourĀ situation.Ā
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Farmers InsuranceĀ
Formed in 1928, and now serving the nation with over 19 million policies acrossĀ every US state, Farmers Insurance Exchange is comprised ofĀ 47 companies, and ranked number 222 of the Fortune 500 in 2017. Farmers reportedĀ $15.6 billionĀ in revenue that year with total combined assets atĀ $20.6 billion.Ā Ā
Within the automobile insurance space, Farmers offersĀ numerousĀ options and plans for commercial vehicle coverage, ranging from small packages related to habitualĀ businessĀ errand running, all the way up to complete coverage of aĀ businessĀ on wheels ā such as bus offices, food trucks, or trailers. Bus insurance packages are offered to provide the levels of protection required by federal and state law, at a minimum, with options for additional coverages as requested by bus owners.Ā Ā
Need to file a claim with Farmers Insurance? After an accident where an at-fault driver has Farmers Insurance, there areĀ a number ofĀ ways to contact them to initiate the claims process includingĀ reporting a claim hereĀ at their website, here at theirĀ phone number (link to 1-800-435-7764), here forĀ auto and other claims reporting, or possibly even by visiting one of their newĀ mobile claim centersĀ that operates an emergency assistance office out of a bus.Ā Ā
Insurance companies like Farmers want to make it as easy as possible to file a claim so that individuals are lulled into the belief that they do not need an experienced bus wreck attorney to protect them.Ā Ā
Best Chance atĀ Your Best Claim with Experienced Bus Accident Attorney on Your SideĀ
The best approach to filing your demand with a bus companyās insurance carrier is to engage the advice and counsel of a specialized bus accident attorney. Understanding that the above revenue numbers and breadth of experience with insurers like Farmers can be daunting, remember you do not need to face large insurance corporations alone. Add an expert to your team by hiring a specialized bus accident attorney. With a lawyer likeĀ Ryan āThe Lionā ThompsonĀ representing you, you improve your chances of a smoother claim process and optimized compensatory outcome.Ā Ā
Our experts are standing by toĀ take your call, answer your questions, and help you every step of the way.Ā Even after a frightening bus accident, you do have options and resources.Ā Reach outĀ to Thompson right away to get started, we look forward to helping you very soon.Ā
Call 844-308-8180