Bus accidents are just as serious as any other type of automobile crash. A bus carries more passengers and takes up more space on roadways, so accidents can cause serious injuries and fatalities to those aboard, and anyone in the vicinity. A large number of annual crashes are due to driver error, on the part of the bus drivers, and the drivers of the vehicles with which the buses collide. Americans depend on the safety of buses everyday. Whether it is your child’s school bus or public transit, you hand over trust and security to the driver. Sometimes serious and tragic accidents happen, and they occur in a number of scenarios. The bus company may not be sufficiently maintaining the vehicle, such as worn brakes, hardware or a faulty engine. Most of the time, the cause of the accident is a distracted driver. The frequency of distracted driving is a national concern. As a result, laws are enforced to prevent distracted driving accidents. For bus drivers in particular there aren’t as many regulations. <strong>Only 19 states have laws that prohibit bus drivers from using a cellular device with passengers on board</strong>. Of these 19, only 3 ban them from text messaging. When a bus accident takes place there are always questions of who is responsible for injuries and damages. The driver? The bus company? The government? Private bus companies and public, government-operated transit lines each have their own guidelines for operation, and procedures for dealing with bus safety issues. They may also implement certain restrictions on the length of time you have to file a claim for an accident involving one of their buses. Involvement of responsible parties and time restrictions make determining details and specifics challenging for the victims of a bus accident. It is recommended to consult with an attorney to sort out the details. They will help you to understand which regulations specifically apply to the accident, and how to position the details in your favor. If you've been injured in a bus accident, you deserve to know your rights. Do not hesitate to contact us, or visit one of our offices in Richmond, Petersburg, Tappahannock, or Fredericksburg for a consultation with an experienced bus accident attorney.