Conshohocken Bus Accident Lawyers

Whether operated by private companies like Greyhound, budget services like BoltBus, or government organizations like SEPTA, charter and city buses are held to high safety standards. Nonetheless, hundreds of bus accidents occur every year in Pennsylvania. If you were injured in a bus accident in Conshohocken or other areas of Montgomery County, the experienced injury lawyers of Jacobs & Fishman, P.C. can fight to help you recover compensation. With over 80 years of combined experience handling bus accident injury claims in Pennsylvania, our legal team brings a record of accomplishment to every case we work on. For a free consultation, contact us online, or call our law offices today at (610) 941-4250.

Pennsylvania Bus Accident Statistics

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) publishes an annual report featuring accident statistics from across the state. The report breaks accidents down into different vehicle categories, making it possible to see how often bus crashes happen in Pennsylvania.

According to the 2017 report, there were 292 school bus crashes that year, plus an additional 567 commercial bus crashes, adding up to 859 bus accidents in total. Among school bus accidents, a total of four crashes were fatal, while 156 crashes resulted in injuries. Among commercial bus accidents, a total of six crashes were fatal, while injuries resulted in 387 crashes.

In two-vehicle collisions, both school buses and commercial buses were struck by cars, pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs more often than by other types of vehicles, such as motorcycles. School bus crashes most frequently occurred on state highways and local roads.

Bus Accident Injury Claims We Handle

Our legal team assists injury victims and surviving family members with personal injury, wrongful death, and survival actions arising from bus crashes in Montgomery County. With decades of experience to draw upon, our knowledgeable attorneys are fully prepared to investigate a wide range of bus accident injury cases, including complex multi-vehicle accidents. Types of bus-related injury lawsuits our firm handles include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Amputation injuries
• Arm and leg injuries
• Back injuries
• Bone fractures (broken bones)
• Bruises and contusions
• Burn injuries
• Chest and abdominal injuries
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Crush injuries
• Cuts, scrapes, and lacerations
• Facial injuries
• Foot and ankle injuries
• Hand and wrist injuries
• Hip injuries
• Injuries caused by seat belts
• Injuries that cause permanent scarring
• Internal bleeding
• Knee injuries
• Puncture wounds
• Severe road rash injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Spinal cord injury (SCI) and paralysis
• Whiplash and other neck injuries

Can You Sue the Bus Company or Driver After a Crash?

Several parties may be liable when a bus accident occurs, including not only the bus driver, but potentially, the bus company that employed him or her. In cases where bus accidents are caused by defective bus parts – for example, faulty brakes or tires – it may also be possible to sue the manufacturer who made the defective component. Cases that revolve around faulty products are known as “product liability” lawsuits.

Though defects can certainly cause or contribute to accidents, crashes more frequently occur due to driver error. When a bus driver is careless or reckless, he or she can make dangerous mistakes that cause preventable crashes. Some common examples include:

• Aggressive driving and “road rage”
• Coming to an excessively abrupt stop, known as “jerk and jolt”
• Driving too fast for the weather/road conditions
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Driving while fatigued or falling asleep at the wheel
• Excessive speeding
• Failing to check mirrors for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles
• Failing to signal before making a turn or lane change
• Failing to stop at a stop sign
• Failing to yield to oncoming traffic
• Making an improper lane change
• Making turns without checking for other vehicles
• Running a red light
• Tailgating other vehicles (following too closely)

If the crash was caused by negligence or recklessness – for example, if the crash occurred because the bus driver was speeding or intoxicated – the injury victim may have a “cause of action,” or grounds to bring a claim. Our attorneys can help you evaluate what damages to seek, which parties may be liable, obstacles that may arise, how and where to gather evidence, and other components of your case.

We will handle dealing with insurance companies, drafting legal documents, tracking deadlines, and protecting your rights from day one of your case. By filing a claim or lawsuit, it may be possible to recover compensation for:

• Diminished future earning capacity
• Lost earnings
• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

Conshohocken Bus Accident Attorneys Serving Montgomery County, PA

Bus drivers are held to some of the highest standards in the country when it comes to driving safety. When bus drivers ignore the laws and endanger their passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, or the occupants of other vehicles, our law firm helps to hold them accountable. If you or a family member was hit by a bus in Conshohocken, Jacobs & Fishman, P.C. can investigate the accident, advise you of your rights, and fight to maximize your recovery. For a free consultation about filing a bus accident claim in Montgomery County, contact our law offices online, or call Jacobs & Fishman at (610) 941-4250 today.