Get Trusted Advocacy From Our Qualified Massachusetts and New Hampshire Collision Injury Lawyers
Accidents involving large vehicles like trucks, vans, and buses can be catastrophic. Not only can they result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses, they can cause extreme emotional pain and suffering for victims and their families.
If you or someone you love were hurt in a bus or van accident, our team of experienced personal injury lawyers can help you pursue the compensation your family needs to move forward. We cover van and bus collision statistics, causes, and how to file a claim below.
Van and Bus Accident Statistics
In 2022, Massachusetts recorded 357 bus accidents. Of these, 149 caused injuries and 3 resulted in death. Sadly, the majority of bus accidents involve school buses and public transit buses. The fewest accidents can be attributed to cross-country and intercity buses, van-based buses, and other types of buses that don’t fall into any of the above categories.
By comparison, New Hampshire only had 30 bus accidents total in 2022. Four of them resulted in injury and there were zero deaths. However, it’s important to take into account the difference in population size between these two states. Nearly 7 million people live in Massachusetts, while not even 1.5 million live in New Hampshire.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 15-passenger vans are among some of the most dangerous vehicles for riders. They don’t handle like a minivan and often have old spare tires, missing seatbelts, and other risky issues.
In fact, an unrestrained passenger in a 15-passenger van is about 4 times more likely to die in an accident than someone who is wearing a seatbelt. Approximately 69% of 15-passenger van riders who died in a collision between 2010 and 2019 were not wearing their seat belt.
Common Causes of Bus and Van Accidents
Bus and van accidents can occur for any number of reasons, but the most common among them include:
- Inclement weather
- Bus driver fatigue
- Inadequate bus maintenance
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Poor road conditions
- Insufficient training for bus drivers
- Mechanical defects or failure
- Road rage and aggressive driving
- Speeding or violating other traffic laws
Navigating the Aftermath of a Van or Bus Accident
After being involved in an accident, you might not be sure what you should do next. This is especially true if you have been hurt or someone you love was killed. Here’s an easy, step-by-step guide that you can follow and what our compassionate legal team can do to help:
Contact Emergency Responders
The first order of business after a collision is to call 911 or the police depending on the severity of the accident and if anyone involved has been injured. If no one is hurt, a police officer can come and take statements so they can make a report.
Start Putting Evidence Together
If you suspect that someone else was at fault for the accident that injured you or a family member, evidence is going to be critically important in your case. Ideally, you or someone you appoint can take photographs of the accident before any vehicles are moved.
It’s also a good idea to take pictures of any injuries that occurred and to record witness statements where available. If the road where the accident happened was defective, you can also get images showing potholes, faded road signs, and other factors that may have caused or contributed to the collision.
Keep Good Records
As you receive medical treatment for any injuries and psychological distress you sustained as a result of the accident, it’s important to keep accurate records of doctors’ notes, costs, and other crucial information. These will come into play should you file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit for compensation.
Reach Out to a Qualified Personal Injury Lawyer at Mazow | McCullough, PC
Few things are more devastating and life changing than a major motor vehicle accident. If you or someone in your family were hurt in a van or bus collision, our experienced New Hampshire and Massachusetts personal injury lawyers are here to help. We will go over your case in detail and gather as much evidence as possible to prove that negligence caused or contributed to the crash.
Contact us to book a free consultation appointment to discuss the details of your accident and what we can do for you. Call (978) 744-8000 or toll-free at (855) 693-9084 today or send us a quick message online.
