Coach bus accident causes multiple injuries

On Behalf of | Jan 8, 2020 | Commercial Vehicle Accidents |

A coach bus traveling in another state went out of control on a major highway, ultimately causing a pileup involving other commercial vehicles as well as passenger cars.

This bus accident left dozens of people injured. The story attracted national media attention.

The accident happened in the overnight hours. Authorities with the National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB, which is assisting with the investigation, said that the charter bus was transporting 56 people at the time of the accident. The bus had recently passed a safety inspection.

Investigators said that the driver of the bus, who was in the inside lane, somehow struck the center barrier of the highway. The impact caused the bus to go out of control and ultimately land on its side and up a slope near the road. This accident started a chain reaction involving commercial trucks as well as passenger cars. Several victims were thrown from the bus, and a spokesperson for the NTSB reiterated the agency’s position that charter buses should be required to have seatbelts with shoulder harnesses. Unfortunately, several of the victims of this accident were under 18. Others were on the job at the time of the accident.

On the whole, five people died and 60 people suffered injuries that required treatment. Of those injured, two were reported to be in critical condition, and four other victims had to be transferred to hospitals in the nearest major metropolitan area.

While this accident happened in another state, buses and other commercial vehicles frequently travel Florida’s roads. As this story shows, accidents involving buses can be disastrous. When the accident is caused by the negligence of another, victims may have legal options, but a thorough investigation will often be needed.

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attorneys Brad Culpepper and Brett J. Kurland