Despite bus accidents being only a small percentage of all traffic accident totals, they are often frequently reported in the news because of their catastrophic nature. Whenever there is a school bus accident, even if there are only minor personal injuries, the media notices these incidents and devotes an inordinate amount of news coverage to them. Each year approximately 450,000 children are transported by bus to and from school. On average 137 school bus fatalities and 17,000 are injured each year in bus accidents. To the families of these loved ones the bus accidents are not just mere statistics.In Florida, there are two classifications for buses that are used for reporting purposes.1. A vehicle with seats for the driver plus 9 to 15 passengers.2. A vehicle with seats for more than 15 passengers.Buses are also commonly used for public transportation, charter tours, and taking people to and from sporting events. All buses and their drivers are held to a high standard of safety due to the number of passengers in their care. Strict licensing and other regulations help to ensure qualified drivers sit behind the wheel.When you ride a bus, either as a student, or as a paying passenger, you expect to be transported safely. As a common carrier, bus companies are responsible for ensuring your safety as you travel. Orlando has a high ratio of buses servicing hundreds of miles surrounding the various amusement parks and other tourist hot spots. When a bus accident occurs, the bus driver is usually well represented by the bus company. Bus companies will spend a lot of time and money protecting their drivers and themselves from costly litigation. If you are involved in a bus accident, it is important to keep track of all the details of the incident to ensure that any action you chose to take is well documented.Involved in a Bus Accident?Some steps you should take if you are involved in a bus accident include:* Seek medical attention. Even if you are not seriously hurt, you should consult with a physician just to make sure. This will also help you establish any personal injury that you received as a result of the bus accident.* Take notes. If you can, write down all the pertinent information pertaining to the accident including the drivers name, the bus number, witnesses, and any recollections you may have. If you do file a suit, it could be years later before it goes to court and your memory may be unclear.* Contact an experienced bus accident attorney. In many states, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is four years. It is best to seek out an experienced bus accident attorney prior to that time to help you determine if you have a case or not.You may have noticed that most buses do not have seat belts of any sort. According to the National Coalition for School Bus Safety, Florida is one of five states that have implemented safety belt requirements for school buses. Given the helplessness victims in a bus accident feel, it seems to make sense to at least provide lap and shoulder safety belts in buses. This simple step could save hundreds of lives and reduce the number of serious personal injuries and deaths each year if made available to bus passengers.
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