According to a recent analysis of bus crashes in New York State, most school bus accidents are caused by other drivers. The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports that over 3,900 bus crashes were recorded statewide between July 2010 and May 2013. Of the 2,783 bus accidents that were reported across the state, 1,540 or 55 percent were considered “preventable.” Of those, the bus drivers were considered to have had “poor judgment” or been “distracted” in 119 crashes.
During that period, 376 students were injured in statewide school bus crashes and one was killed. Of the injuries, 26 were caused by a student’s own bus. Some causes of injuries included sudden stops, pedestrian being hit by a bus and backpacks getting caught in bus doors as the bus began to pull away.
School Bus Crashes
In the United States, school buses are still considered the safest means of transport to school. According to the American School Bus Council, bus trips comprise about a quarter of all the miles students travel by vehicle. However, they account for only about 4 percent of all injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 1 percent of transportation-related student deaths that occur during school travel hours are related to school buses.
Also, the state Association for Pupil Transportation reports that motorists pass stopped school buses about 64,000 times every day in New York alone. The association is pushing for a bill in the state Legislature that would allow license plate cameras on buses to record such illegal passing and impose stiffer penalties for offenders.
Compensation for Injured Victims
If you or a loved one has been injured or if you have lost a loved one as a result of a traffic accident, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Our skilled car accident attorneys have a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 and $2,550,000 for two victims of car accidents.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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