Bus accident statistics show an increase in fatalities

Riding a bus can be a convenient method of transportation in Louisiana and across the U.S. It saves people from needing to drive on their own, allows them the freedom to relax and get to their destination and it can be a money saver. However, what many do not consider when they get on a bus is that there are inherent risks. A rider is placing his or her trust in the bus driver and the owner of the fleet. Issues such as inexperience, operating under the influence, recklessness and more can cause a bus crash. Those who are involved in these accidents should be cognizant of the frequency with which they happen and take the necessary steps after the fact to consider a legal filing for compensation.

The latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that there was an increase in fatal bus and coach accidents in 2017. It says that there was a total of 234 such accidents in which there was a fatality. According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, this was a rise of seven from 2016. While there has not been a full assessment of school bus fatalities, research into news reports indicate that, in 2017, there were five student deaths – this is consistent with the average on an annual basis.

When it comes to its conclusions, FARS utilizes police reports at a state and local level. If the fatality happened on scene or within five days of the accident, it is added to the list. On a positive note for most motorists and passengers, there was a reduction in the number of fatalities on the road from 2016 to 2017. 2 percent fewer people died. This is after there was a two-year increase in these accidents. There was also a reduction in the number of pedestrians who died in a fatal accident. For 2018, the reduction of fatalities has continued for the first six months.

Any bus accident can leave people with major problems. There can be medical expenses, the inability to work and lost wages, the need for help to perform even the most basic tasks and more. When there is a fatality, people will be faced with a litany of other issues that might have stemmed from another person’s mistakes that lead to commercial vehicle accidents.