An MTA bus made its usual stop at Nolensville Pike and Veritas Street. Upon moving again, it clipped a stopped car. Four people on the bus were injured in this Nashville bus accident. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, there are approximately 220 bus accidents per year in Davidson County alone.
WHAT ARE THE LEADING CAUSES OF BUS ACCIDENTS IN TENNESSEE?
All drivers on the roads owe others a “duty of care,” which means they must drive in a responsible manner that is expected of any reasonable person in similar circumstances. This means showing a level of care that is necessary to avoid causing harm to others. This is especially true for bus drivers and the companies they work for.
Unfortunately, bus accidents are more common than you would think, though they occur for a variety of reasons. The most common causes of bus accidents in Tennessee include:
- Bus driver fatigue. Whether the driver is tired from going over his federally regulated amount of hours, sleep apnea, insomnia or other factors, fatigued bus drivers are more likely to make serious mistakes on the road. Studies show fatigued drivers are just as deadly as drunk drivers.
- Speeding. Buses are set on a strict timetable to make all their stops and arrive at their destinations on time. However, this is no excuse for needlessly putting passengers at risk.
- Road Rage. Bus drivers in a hurry to stick to their schedule may become frustrated with the cars around them, especially in high-traffic times. It is not uncommon for them to drive aggressively by cutting off cars or following too close.
- Drunk driving or drugged driving. While all bus drivers are strictly forbidden from using drugs or alcohol while on the road, not all bus drivers comply with this law. Bus drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, especially night bus drivers, pose a serious threat to both their passengers and other drivers around them.
- Equipment malfunction. Buses can be expensive to maintain. However, bus companies have a duty to regularly inspect and perform maintenance in order to ensure passenger and driver safety. In some instances, a bus design defect or manufacturing error can cause an accident. In which case, the manufacturer can be held responsible for a bus accident.
If you have sustained injuries in a bus accident, you must be able to prove the bus company owed you as a passenger a duty of care. You must then be able to prove it breached that duty and caused you injuries. To do so, it is best to consult a bus accident attorney in your area to guide you through the process.
The Law Office of Stanley A. Davis is a Nashville personal injury law firm that provides help to those who have sustained injuries in a bus accident.
“Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths.” Psalm 25:4