A chartered bus overturned and slid down an embankment on a Route 80 exit ramp in northern New Jersey earlier this month, injuring 23 of its 57 passengers. The bus was on its way from Toronto to New York City; many on board were heading for a Seventh Day Adventists church event. Some of the windows in the bus burst during the crash, and some passengers were pinned in the frames before they were freed by rescue workers.
The bus driver said that he was cut off by another driver. According to the New Jersey Star-Ledger, the bus company has the same address and similar name as one on the federal Department of Transportation website as “not allowed to operate in the United States”. The company listed on the DOT website has received five safety violations since April of 2011 and was cited for using a fatigued driver.
Chartered Bus Accidents
Last week’s crash illustrates the risks involved in chartered bus service. Passengers put their lives in the hands of the bus driver from the moment they step onboard. Unfortunately, some bus companies do a less than exemplary job of adhering to federal and state safety regulations.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 11,000 bus accidents throughout the United States in 2008. Those collisions resulted in 24,000 injuries.
The driver of a chartered bus is legally required to follow many of the same rules and regulations that apply to tractor-trailers and other large commercial vehicles. For example, a bus driver must adhere to rules regarding how many hours he or she may remain on the road without a rest period.
Talk To a New York/New Jersey Injury Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a New York or New Jersey bus accident, or you have lost a loved one to a bus crash, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the New York/New Jersey bus accident attorneys at Ginarte Gonzalez & Winograd to learn about your legal options. With six offices conveniently located in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, we have an office near you.
Contact the firm today by calling 888-446-2783 for your free consultation or fill out our online contact form.