- Distracted driving: Distracted driving is a leading cause of all auto accidents in the United States. For bus drivers, distracted driving includes behaviors like texting and driving, eating or drinking while driving, becoming distracted by passengers and other devices inside the vehicle, or simply spacing out and failing to pay attention to other drivers on the road.
- Driver fatigue: Bus drivers often work long hours throughout the night, and driving drowsy can become a serious concern. Drivers are limited by federal regulations to operate a bus for no longer than 14 hours at a time within a 24-hour window. Despite these regulations, driver fatigue can still be a major problem, leading to slower reaction times, impaired decision-making, and the potential for the driver to fall asleep behind the wheel.
- Reckless driving: Negligent bus drivers may drive recklessly, putting the lives of their passengers and other drivers at risk. Dangerous behavior like speeding, tailgating, running red lights, and suddenly changing lanes can quickly cause an accident.
- Driving under the influence: While not very common in Nashville bus accident cases, there are instances of drivers operating a bus under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Even prescription drugs that cause drowsiness can contribute to a bus driver’s impaired driving ability. Our team stands with victims of DUI accidents in Nashville, offering compassionate and effective legal advice.
While many bus accidents are preventable and due to driver error or negligence, not all accidents are necessarily caused by the bus driver. Accidents are often caused by mechanical failures or by another vehicle on the road. Many bus accidents are also caused by:
- Maintenance issues: Poor maintenance and mechanical failures can also easily contribute to an accident. For example, a tire blowout or issues with the steering can cause a driver to lose control of the bus. Many bus crashes are due to maintenance issues like worn-out brakes and tires or engine failures.
- Other drivers: While buses may be larger and heavier than almost every other vehicle on the road, they are not immune to other driver’s actions. Other drivers are often responsible for accidents involving buses. Due to their size and weight, buses require more time to brake, so cutting off a bus in traffic or unexpectedly slamming on your brakes can easily cause a collision.
- Poor road conditions: Whether driving through Nashville in poor weather conditions or traveling on a road with potholes and debris, hazardous road conditions can easily cause a bus driver to lose control and crash.
In Nashville, it is common for bus accidents to be caused by reckless driver behavior like following too closely, failure to yield, and making improper turns. Regardless of the cause, bus accidents can be traumatizing and lead to serious injury. If you have suffered an injury or been involved in a Nashville bus accident, contact Glenn Injury Law today and see how our team can help you secure the maximum compensation.
Different Types of Buses in Nashville Bus Accidents
As we mentioned earlier, bus accidents in Nashville can involve various types of buses. Whether an accident involves a school bus carrying children, a city bus helping commuters get to work, or a charter bus carrying tourists throughout the state, each bus accident presents the potential for serious injury and complicated legal claims.
School Bus Accidents
Thousands of students in Nashville and throughout Tennessee depend on school buses every day to get to and from school. School buses are intentionally designed to be safer than the average vehicle and remain one of the safest forms of transportation. However, accidents can still occur due to issues like driver negligence, poor road conditions, or mechanical failures with the bus. According to Truck Info, there were
97 fatal school bus accidents in 2022, resulting in 104 deaths. Families of injured students may be able to pursue legal action against the bus driver or the school district after an accident.
City Bus Accidents in Nashville
Nashville’s WeGo Public Transit saw an
increase of 1.8 million riders from 2022 to 2023, highlighting the continued growth and dependency upon buses and public transportation. These buses operate in congested urban areas in Nashville and beyond, often putting them at greater risk of an accident. Operating large and heavy vehicles in high-traffic areas can often be difficult, especially for inexperienced drivers. Bus accidents involving city buses in Nashville are commonly caused by:
- Distracted driving: Bus drivers working long hours often become distracted by phones and electronic devices, onboard technology, or passengers.
- Driver fatigue: Drivers working long hours or working late into the night may experience driver fatigue. Drowsy driving can lead to impaired decision-making and delayed reaction times behind the wheel.
- Poorly maintained roads: Potholes can be damaging to buses and other vehicles and their tires specifically. Poorly maintained roads or hazardous areas like construction zones can be difficult to navigate and may lead to a collision.
- Sudden stops: When buses are forced to make sudden or abrupt stops, passengers inside the bus may become injured.
City bus accidents in Nashville may have a few different victims, including passengers,
pedestrians, cyclists, or other drivers.
Charter Bus Accidents
Charter buses are incredibly useful for tourists and businesses in the Nashville area. These buses often travel long distances, making them more prone to accidents. Charter bus accidents are also commonly caused by driver error and poor roads but can also be caused by:
- Unevenly loaded buses: Uneven weight distribution can make buses difficult to control
- Mechanical failures: Charter buses are expected to be maintained just like any other bus, and failure to address mechanical issues can lead to tire blowouts, faulty brakes, or engine failure.
Buses run all throughout Nashville and its surrounding cities, sharing the roads with many other drivers and pedestrians. Some of the most common bus accidents in Nashville include:
- Accidents involving other cars: Most bus accidents involve another car, truck, or bus. Because of the massive size and weight of a bus, accidents involving other cars can be serious and result in devastating injuries. Victims of these accidents often experience whiplash, broken bones, and head trauma. Many buses are involved in:
- Rear-end collisions: Buses require much more time and space to slow down and stop than the average vehicle. If a bus is unable to stop in time for a vehicle ahead, it can result in a rear-end crash.
- Intersection accidents: Driving recklessly and running through red lights or stop signs can be highly dangerous and easily cause an accident.
- Sideswipe accidents: Much like semi-trucks, large buses have substantial blind spots, making lane change difficult.
- Accidents involving pedestrians: Pedestrians are at serious risk of injury when involved in an accident with a bus. Most bus accidents involving pedestrians happen at a crosswalk or at a bus stop or station while boarding the bus. Victims in these accidents may suffer catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and more.
- Accidents involving cyclists/motorcycles: Similar to pedestrians, bikers also face serious risk of injury due to their increased exposure and high vulnerability on the road. Even with protective gear, bicycle accidents and motorcycle accidents can be particularly harmful and cause serious injury. Most accidents involving bikes occur during:
- Right turns: Buses often have a difficult time seeing pedestrians and cyclists in their massive blind spots. When making a right-hand turn, a bus driver may fail to notice a cyclist or motorcycle approaching on their right.
- Lane splitting: Motorcyclists who weave in and out of traffic often face the risk of being sideswiped by a bus or other vehicle sharing the road.
If you have been hurt in a Nashville bus accident, the first thing that you should do is seek medical attention. Our team is available to help you pursue legal action and claim compensation for your injuries when a bus driver or company’s negligence caused you harm. For more information about how the team at Glenn Injury Law can help you recover compensation after a Nashville bus accident, call us today and schedule a free consultation.
How Can an Attorney Help After a Nashville Bus Accident?
If you have been injured in a Nashville bus accident, you need the help of an experienced attorney to claim the maximum compensation for your injuries. We understand the significant impact that an accident of this magnitude can have on you and your family. Our team is here to provide invaluable legal representation to help you recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses: Ambulance rides, surgeries, lengthy hospital stays, and other necessary treatment can add up quickly. Our team helps injured victims of Nashville bus accidents seek compensation that covers their past and future medical bills.
- Lost wages: After being injured in a bus accident, you will likely need some time to recover. Many victims of bus accidents will miss extended time at work, affecting their ability to earn an income and provide for themselves and their families. Our team is here to help you recover lost income.
- Property damage: If your car, motorcycle, bicycle, or other personal property was damaged in a Nashville bus accident, our team can help you pursue compensation for the cost of repair or replacement.
- Pain and suffering: Victims who have suffered serious injuries and are forced to live with lifelong disabilities or impairments can seek compensation for their pain and suffering. Even victims with minor injuries may face long-term consequences and can be compensated for their pain.
- Mental distress: Whether you were a passenger, pedestrian, or another driver involved in an accident with a bus, the mental distress and anguish that these accidents can cause can be overwhelming. Bus accidents are often traumatic experiences and our team can help you seek justice for the mental distress that you have experienced.
At Glenn Injury Law, we have years of experience successfully representing victims of catastrophic injuries in Nashville and throughout Tennessee. We are able to offer the compassionate and personalized attention that many larger firms simply cannot. With Craig Glenn and the team at Glenn Injury Law, it’s not just about a settlement; it’s about a commitment to making a serious difference in our client’s lives.
We take great pride in our ability to help injured victims and their families in Nashville seek justice and recover compensation when another person’s negligence leads to injury. In the event that you have lost a loved one in a Nashville bus accident or any other accident, our team can also help you
pursue a wrongful death claim. Craig Glenn has over a decade of experience helping victims in Nashville and its surrounding cities in personal injury cases such as:
We recognize that victims face more than just physical injuries after a bus accident; they also face financial hardship. That’s why at Glenn Injury Law, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you don’t pay any fees unless we reach a successful outcome. For more information about how partnering with Glenn Injury Law can make a serious difference in your Nashville bus accident case, call us today or connect with us online and schedule your free consultation.
Contact Glenn Injury Law for Your Nashville Bus Accident Case
After being injured in a Nashville bus accident, seeking compensation is likely not the first thing on your mind. At Glenn Injury Law, we take the stress of pursuing legal action off of your shoulders so that you can focus on your recovery. Our team has the experience and knowledge required to help victims of these serious accidents claim the compensation they deserve.
When you partner with Glenn Injury Law, you will have direct access to lead attorney Craig Glenn throughout your entire case, ensuring that you stay in the loop and up-to-date with all progress. Our team is here to investigate your accident, gather key evidence that strengthens your case, and identify a responsible party in your accident. Our personal injury team also has the much-needed experience of communicating and negotiating with pesky insurance companies who often try to minimize your payout.
Glenn Injury Law is committed to helping victims of bus accidents in Nashville seek justice and claim compensation after suffering an injury. We stand by you every step of the way so you can rest assured knowing that your case is in good hands.
Call us today or connect with us online to find out how Glenn Injury Law can help you claim the compensation you deserve after a Nashville bus accident.
