One person was killed and 11 others were injured, one seriously, after a tour bus crashed the afternoon of Jan. 5 on the Northway in Lake George. According to the Albany Times-Union, state troopers responded to the rollover accident in the southbound lanes between exits 23 and 22. The Skyway Coach Line bus was carrying 23 people including the driver at the time of the accident, State Police said. Officials are still investigating the cause of the bus accident and are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to call State Police at Troop G headquarters at 518-783-3211.
Twelve patients were transported to an area hospital. Ten of them had injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening, officials said. The passengers were all on their way to catch flights at New York City airports that night, according to reports. The bus was traveling from Montreal to Midtown Manhattan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased victim and all those who were injured.
The Danger of Bus Rollover Accidents
Bus rollover accidents pose significant risks of catastrophic injuries to victims. When a bus rolls over, it can lead to severe injuries or fatalities for passengers and the occupants of the other vehicles involved. The size and weight of buses make them more susceptible to rollovers, especially at high speeds or when navigating sharp turns. Victims in these types of crashes may experience traumatic injuries such as head trauma, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal organ damage, or severe lacerations. Ejection from the bus during a rollover can lead to life-threatening injuries.
Preventing bus rollovers requires rigorous safety measures, including regular maintenance of buses, proper driver training, adherence to speed limits, and the installation of safety features like seat belts and stability control systems. Strict adherence to safety protocols and regulations is essential to mitigate the risks associated with bus rollover accidents. Bus companies/owners — whether they are public or private carriers — owe a duty of care to their passengers. They have a legal obligation to transport passengers safely and are required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to follow national guidelines, including strict drug and alcohol tests, maintenance guidelines, and weight limits.
What Causes Bus Rollover Accidents
Bus rollover accidents can occur due to various factors, often stemming from a combination of human error, environmental conditions, and mechanical issues. Some common causes include:
- Driver error: Inadequate training, fatigue, distraction, impairment due to alcohol or drugs, or reckless driving behavior such as speeding or aggressive maneuvers can contribute to bus rollovers.
- Speeding: Driving a bus at excessive speeds, especially around curves or on uneven terrain, increases the risk of losing control and tipping over.
- Mechanical failures: Issues with the bus’s brakes, steering system, tires, suspension, or other critical components can lead to loss of control and rollover accidents.
- Poor road conditions: Uneven or slippery roads, potholes, construction zones, or obstacles on the roadway can destabilize a bus and cause it to roll over.
- Weather conditions: Adverse weather like heavy rain, snow, ice, or fog can reduce visibility and affect the road’s surface, increasing the likelihood of rollovers.
- Sudden maneuvers or turns: Abrupt or sharp turns, especially at high speeds, can cause a bus to tip over due to its higher center of gravity.
- Lack of safety features: Buses without adequate safety features such as stability control systems, functioning seat belts, or defective seats increase the risk of injuries for passengers during an accident.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
Injured victims of bus accidents may seek compensation from the bus company and/or other responsible parties for damages including medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families that have lost loved ones can seek compensation for damages as well by filing a wrongful death claim. Bus accidents have the potential to cause severe or even catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord trauma, multiple broken bones, internal organ damage, facial and eye injuries, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 53 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. We recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and $2,000,000 in a hit-and-run accident, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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Source: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/crash-closes-northway-exit-23-lake-george-18591717.php