While bus accidents are not as common as passenger vehicle accidents, they do happen, and these accidents cause injuries ranging from minor to life-altering to fatal. Injuries resulting from bus accidents do not only involve the bus driver and occupants, but they also can involve other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Buses can yield considerable damage and produce serious injuries and fatalities, in part because of their large size and weight. In one year, there were 73 fatal school bus accidents alone, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Some common injuries resulting from bug accidents are:
Lacerations and deep cuts: Most buses have windows on all sides. When an accident occurs, it’s not uncommon for the driver and passengers to suffer deep cuts and lacerations from broken glass. These injuries can leave permanent scars, and victims may experience damage to their skin and nerves so severely that they require emergency procedures or plastic surgery.
Broken bones: Some bus accidents are so powerful that passengers are thrown from their seats and strike the other interior parts of the bus or one another. As a result, they can suffer broken bones requiring surgery and physical therapy. This is one of the many injuries that can render the victim unable to work and earn a paycheck.
Whiplash: Whiplash injuries often happen when the bus suddenly hits another object or slams on its brakes. When this happens, the body jolts forward and backward, which in turn forces the neck to make a snapping movement.
If you suspect you suffered whiplash in an accident, look for these symptoms:
- Neck pain, swelling, or tenderness
- Muscle spasms
- Headaches
- Limited mobility
Brain and spinal cord injuries: Whenever a bus is in an accident, there is a possibility a passenger may strike their head on a seat or window. Traumatic head and brain injuries can lead to nausea, confusion, headaches, insomnia, and blurred vision, to name a few symptoms. Severe head trauma may result in coma, seizures, paralysis, permanent cognitive impairments, and a loss of mobility. If a passenger hits another object in the bus or gets ejected from the bus, they can suffer spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis or even loss of life.
If you or someone you love suffered injuries in a bus accident, it’s imperative to receive proper medical care as soon as possible. Even if you are unsure of the extent of your injuries, it’s a good idea to seek medical attention as symptoms are not always noticeable until much later.
Seek legal representation to recover compensation for damages. Contact us now for a free review of your case.
