Sudden Movement Injuries

Passengers on a bus can be very susceptible to injury if the bus is in a collision. That is because many of the safety mechanisms that people take for granted aren’t available for all bus passengers. That means that even when there was no collision, when a bus makes a sudden movement, it can put all the passengers at risk for serious injuries.

Buses are developed to fit a lot of people into a small space. One of the sacrifices is that a lot of safety mechanisms that are found in passenger vehicles aren’t available to bus riders:

• Seats: a bus that’s even half full often means that everyone isn’t able to get a seat. Then, when a sudden movement occurs, passengers are more likely to fall to the ground, causing a variety of injuries. This is especially dangerous for the elderly and others who are frail. That’s why it’s so important to give up your seat if you are able.
• Airbags: When many collisions happen, airbags are able to save car drivers and passengers from serious injury. Bus passengers do not have airbags available to them.
• Seatbelts: Most buses do not have seatbelts. This means that when there is a sudden movement, even passengers safely in their seats can find themselves being thrown about the bus, causing many injuries.
• Hard Surfaces: Buses are filled with handrails to allow people to safely walk through the bus. The downside is that these graspable rails are very hard and can cause injury when a passenger is thrown into them.

• Sudden Braking: While there are many times when a bus driver has to hit the brakes to avoid a collision, safe bus drivers are also required to keep safe distances and give themselves enough time to avoid having to suddenly brake and come to an abrupt stop.
• Swerving: There are many scenarios that would lead a bus driver to suddenly swerve. Depending on the situation, it could affect who is ultimately responsible for your injuries. For example, if a car coming from the opposite direction suddenly crosses into oncoming traffic, the bus drivers might have to make a split second decision. On the other hand, if the bus driver is drifting into the shoulder and has to swerve before hitting a parked car, the bus driver will likely be found to be at fault.
• Sudden Acceleration: These injuries usually happen as the bus is leaving a bus stop. Many bus passengers are trying to navigate to a seat or other place where they’ll be for their ride, and are jolted when the bus suddenly takes off. Bus drivers need to be alert and make sure new bus riders are safe and secure before proceeding to the destination.

At Marcotte Law Firm, our experienced Personal Injury Attorneys have decades of experience representing people injured on buses. Whether you were injured on Mass Transit or if your child was injured on a School Bus, an experienced lawyer can guide you through the process to get you the compensation you or your loved one deserves.

If you were injured on a bus due to a sudden movement by the bus, call the experienced Personal Injury Lawyers at Marcotte Law Firm for a free, no obligation consultation.