Thirty -five students were injured on Sunday when returning to Virginia Tech, Radford University, and UVA while riding an Abbott Trailways bus that overturned on an entrance ramp.
Excessive speed was listed as the cause of the crash.
The driver, Thomas Chidester, of Salem, Virginia was charged with reckless driving.
Most of the injuries were minor cuts, lacerations, and bruises. Thirty-three students were transported via ambulance to area hospitals. One student remained in serious condition as of the time of this posting. Officials have stated that they are grateful that the accident was not worse and that the injuries were minor compared to what they could have been with a bus that size and the possibility of it rolling over onto its roof.
Bus Accident Causes
Public transportation is being utilized more and more in areas like Roanoke, Blacksburg and Lynchburg, Virginia. As we take advantage of this new era of mass transportation, we must also make ourselves aware of the risks involved.
1) Speeding:
Most drivers of commercial passenger buses are working under a strict timeline. Like many of us when we’re running late, bus drivers turn to speeding to try to make up time and stay on schedule. Because of their weight and size, like a train or a tractor trailer, buses also have longer stopping distances than most vehicles and this stopping time is of course affected by speed.
2) Drowsy Driving
Like tractor trailer drivers, bus drivers are paid based on miles driven. This type of system encourages truck and passenger bus drivers to violate hours of service requirements and skimp on sleep. In 2009 the CDC surveyed the general population and asked if they had nodded off at least once behind the wheel during the last thirty days. A whopping 7.2 % responded “yes”.
3) Aggressive Driving
It seems unlikely to think that anyone would attempt to drive a bus as it were a nimble sports car. But sadly, this is often the case. Due to their massive size, buses cannot “hold” corners or turn on a dime and they are at greater risk for rollover accidents because they have a higher center of gravity.
4)Distracted Driving
Texting, phone calls and even passenger distractions can cause a bus driver to lose control of a passenger bus. Most companies restrict use of phones and personal devices when driving but do nothing to enforce these policies.
5)Defective Equipment
To keep costs down, most bus companies use older buses and many may skimp on repairs. Be sure to check the companies safety record before buying your next bus ticket.
If you have been injured in a bus accident or you have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another, call The Thomson Law Firm for a FREE consultation today. (540) 777-4900
