How Likely Are You to be Hit By a Bus in Milwaukee?
That Could Depend on the Type of Bus: Motorcoach vs. Traditional
On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Truck Accidents on Monday, August 6, 2012.
The recent crash of a Megabus in Illinois that left one dead and over three dozen hurt is leading to questions about the safety and regulation of bus travel in the United States.
Sadly, this is just one in a series of recent crashes involving low-fare buses. The accidents have prompted federal regulators to look into the industry and to perhaps consider stricter regulations.
Last year, the National Transportation Safety Board completed an investigation into the motorcoach industry that revealed some striking findings. For example, the agency noted that curbside bus carriers (i.e., those that pick passengers up on the street instead of at a station) have significantly higher accident rates than traditional bus companies. Rates are even worse for newer companies and carriers with smaller fleets.
The problem is magnified by the fact that many curbside bus carriers operate outside the scope of government regulation. For example, regulators do not conduct “en route” inspections of passenger buses. Since curbside carriers do not operate from bus terminals, regulators have relatively few opportunities to check for safety violations.
Megabus USA provides bus travel in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Minnesota. The company’s buses covered more than 8 million miles last year, and recorded a total of six accidents. During that same period, seven of the company’s drivers were cited for fatigued driving.
The NTSB has been quick to point out that, generally speaking, motorcoaches are a safe and affordable way to travel. However, it is important to choose a carrier that has a strong safety record. It is better to spend the extra money than to put yourself in harm’s way.
Source: KSDK, “National Transportation Safety Board critical of motorcoach industry,” Leisa Zigman, August 2, 2012.
For more information on the rights of bus accident victims, please visit our Wisconsin Bus Accident resource page. If you need legal representation for a bus accident, contact a Milwaukee personal injury attorney with Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. for a free consultation.