Riding the bus is generally very safe. However, bus accidents can and do happen. When a collision involves a large vehicle like a bus, the damage and injuries involved are often serious or fatal. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus crash, it’s important to understand what may have caused the accident in order to hold the at-fault parties accountable. Below are the most common causes of bus accidents.
Driver Errors
Many bus collisions are caused fully or partially by driver error. Bus drivers are professionals who undergo training and licensing, but they are still human and capable of mistakes.
Distraction
Distracted driving is an enormous problem across all vehicles today. Bus drivers may become distracted by mobile devices, on-board electronics, passengers, or even just zoning out while driving. Taking attention away from the road often leads to delayed reaction times and crashes. Even experienced drivers can be distracted. Sources of distraction include:
- Cell phones – Talking, texting, browsing are all hazards. Even hands-free devices are distracting.
- On-board electronics – Dispatch systems, fare boxes, GPS, climate controls. Interacting with these devices draws eyes and attention from the road.
- Passengers – Loud, disruptive, or unruly passengers can be highly distracting. Trying to monitor or discipline passengers takes the driver’s focus away from safe operation.
- Daydreaming – Monotonous routes, familiarity, and “auto-pilot” can cause drivers to zone out. Their minds drift from the task at hand.
- Food/drink – Eating, drinking beverages, or even just spills and dropped items act as dangerous distractions.
Any activity that pulls the driver’s eyes, hands, or mind away from the road can lead to missing hazards, traffic signals, pedestrians, and more.
Fatigue
Drowsy driving is especially prevalent among professional drivers. Bus drivers often work long shifts with few breaks. Operating a huge vehicle while fatigued can easily lead to slowed reaction times, poor decision making, and accidents. Fatigue impacts drivers in many ways:
- Reduced alertness and attentiveness
- Delayed reaction time to hazards and sudden events
- Impaired information processing and judgement
- Reduced coordination and motor control
- Memory lapses and zoning out
Commercial drivers may feel pressured to get back on the road by tight schedules. But no delivery or route is worth risking lives by driving while exhausted.
Speeding
Like all drivers, bus operators are required to obey posted speed limits. Excess speed gives the driver less time to react and lengthens stopping distances. This makes it easier to lose control or collide with others. Speeding can be caused by:
- Running behind schedule – Rushing to stay on time encourages speeding. Adding extra time to routes could prevent this.
- Driving too fast for conditions – Rain, snow, ice, fog and high traffic call for slower speeds. Failure to adjust to conditions is dangerous.
- Overconfidence – Experienced drivers may feel comfortable speeding on familiar routes. But conditions always require caution.
- Lack of enforcement – Drivers may speed routinely if they know enforcement is lax on certain roads. More active patrols can deter this.
- Performance pressure – Route schedules and supervisor demands can pressure drivers to speed and cut corners dangerously. Company policies play a role.
Impairment
Bus drivers are subject to drug and alcohol testing. However, some still get behind the wheel while impaired. Intoxication and drug use severely reduce motor skills and judgment. Even small amounts can lead to catastrophic crashes. Impairment has many sources:
- Alcohol use – Legal limits for commercial drivers are extremely strict, for good reason. Even small amounts of alcohol slow reaction times and coordination.
- Prescription medications – Opiates, sleep aids, anxiety drugs and more have side effects that impair driving ability even when properly prescribed.
- Illegal drugs – Marijuana, cocaine and amphetamines are especially prevalent among drivers. All severely impact driving fitness.
- Over the counter drugs – Antihistamines, cold and flu drugs can cause drowsiness as a side effect. Using these before driving is unsafe.
- Chronic conditions – Sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes and other illnesses can also impair driving ability if not properly managed.
Strict drug and alcohol policies, education on side effects, and a culture of safety can help keep impaired drivers off the road.
Mechanical Problems
Buses are complex vehicles that undergo heavy daily use. Preventative maintenance and inspections are crucial, but mechanical issues can still occur unexpectedly. Some examples include:
Tire blowouts
Tread separation or sudden deflation of a tire can cause the driver to lose control. Slow leakage and improper inflation are among the causes.
Brake failure
Worn pads, air pressure issues, leaks, and other brake problems can lead to longer stopping distances or total failure. This makes it hard to avoid collisions.
Steering issues
Components like the steering gearbox, tie rods, control arms, and bearings are all subject to wear and breakage over time. Loss of steering control often results in road departures or rollover crashes.
Engine problems
Defective engines may stall or shut down entirely while driving. This causes sudden loss of power and the ability to accelerate or maintain speed.
Company Negligence
A San Antonio bus accident lawyer may also find that the bus company or operator bears responsibility due to the following:
Improper driver screening and training
Companies must thoroughly vet drivers and provide ongoing education on safe driving practices. Failure to do so can lead to unfit drivers.
Inadequate maintenance
Lack of repairs, inspections, and part replacement leads to unsafe mechanical conditions. Preventative maintenance is key.
Unrealistic timetables
Demanding schedules that don’t allow drivers sufficient time can encourage rushing, fatigue, and cutting corners.
Lack of safety technology
Cameras, collision avoidance systems, lane departure warnings, and other features help prevent accidents. Lacking these can point to negligence.
Poor Road Conditions
Environmental factors can also contribute to bus crashes without direct negligence by a driver or company. These include:
Slippery roads
Rain, snow, ice, and debris on the roadway reduce tire grip and control. Buses have long stopping distances, making slippery conditions especially hazardous.
Poor visibility
Fog, blinding sun glare, nighttime darkness, and other visibility issues make it harder for the driver to see pedestrians, vehicles, and road hazards.
Dangerous curves
Sharp turns and winding roads are difficult to maneuver at high speeds in large vehicles with extensive turning radii. Road departures often occur.
Construction zones
Narrow lanes, sudden merges, roadside equipment, workers in the roadway, and uneven surfaces all increase accident risks for buses in work zones.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a San Antonio bus collision, contact an experienced bus accident attorney San Antonio TX at Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys for a free consultation at 800-4THE-WIN (800-484-3946). Our knowledgeable legal team can investigate the cause of the crash and advise you on your best path toward maximum compensation. Call today to get started on your claim.
