Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Blog

2011 is shaping up to be a banner year in the annals of tour bus accidents and resulting deaths and injuries. That is more than the total of 2010 when there were 30 fatalities, 272 injuries, and 28 tour bus crashes. In the wake of tour bus accidents, investigations have been commenced by various state and national authorities. However our experienced bus accident attorneys and investigators understand that many tour bus companies and discount bus operators continue to stress profitability rather than safety and seem to be taking all too many short cuts in a tightened economy.

For years, bus safety advocates and bus accident lawyers called for legislation with teeth that would strengthen bus driver safety and driving training. In our independent analysis of many bus companies and their drivers, we have found abysmal safe records. In one case, the tour bus drivers were cited for over 46 safety violations including speeding and fatigue. Many drivers were found to have deportation detainers from immigration and customs departments, as well as felony warrants. In one of our cases, one of the bus companies claimed to have an office in a premise that was totally non-existent. Amazingly the bus company still continues to operate despite fatalities in alleged ongoing investigations.

Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey was concerned that the Department of Transportation was not moving quickly enough to make motor coaches or buses safer and was quoted as saying “Just because bus companies can discount prices, doesn’t mean they can discount safety”. Unbelievably in one of our cases, the insurance company claims that the bus did not have insurance as stated on their certificate. Until lawmakers take proper steps, bus owners and operators will continue to skirt the system and unfortunately more and more lives will be lost and other innocent and unknowing victims injured. We recommend that buses be equipped with black box recorders similar to those installed in airplanes.

Continue reading "In The First Six Months Of 2011, 17 Tour Bus Accidents Result In 323 Serious Injuries And 32 Fatalities - A Disturbing Trend Opines Bus Accident Law Firm Who Has Repeatedly Called On Legislators For Tighter Safety Legislation" »

Unfortunately another deadly bus accident has occurred in New York taking the lives of several innocent and unknowing victims. Over the last six months, there have been a series of bus crashes and near crashes involving the discount tour bus industry which has killed almost 20 individuals and catastrophically injured many others.

The experienced bus accident lawyers of Reiff & Bily are representing individuals and their families in one of the earlier fatal bus crashes and our investigative efforts have revealed a plethora of bus safety and driver training issues and problems. To reiterate the words of U.S. Senator Charles Schumer who is pushing for legislation to strengthen bus safety and driver training, “There isn’t a moment to spare when keeping bus passengers and drivers safe and informed”. As a bus accident and catastrophic injury attorney who deals with the almost incomprehensible tragedies that occur in the lives of otherwise innocent victims, it is evident that the bus industry is incapable of regulating itself when it comes to safety. The bus industry continues to emphasize profitability over safety and the growing epidemic of crashes over the last few months reenforces the need for strict legislation with teeth to address this terrible epidemic. We wholeheartedly appreciate the efforts of Senator Schumer and others committed in their fight to improve tour bus safety.

Reiff & Bily has recently joined forces with the Beasley Firm to create the Beasley Reiff Law Group and together we have recovered over $2 billion dollars in verdicts, settlement, and awards for catastrophically injured victims and their families. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation. For more information, please contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com

On December 9, 2009, the NTSB released findings on a fatal bus crash that occurred on January 2, 2008 killing a passenger after the driver fell asleep at the wheel. The investigation revealed that the vehicle veered off of U.S. 59 and then overcorrected, causing the bus to roll over onto its right side. The bus carrying 47 passengers was subsequently hit by a pickup truck. In addition to the fatality, many people were catastrophically injured. The investigation revealed that the driver of the bus was only licensed to drive the bus within Texas even though the bus was heading from Mexico to Houston.

The NTSB noted that the current federal regulatory environment with regard to buses allows a non-compliant motorcoach to be registered on U.S. roadways. The NTSB Chairman, Deborah A. P. Hersman stated that “the traveling public should expect that any motorcoach that they ride on complies with all of the safety criteria posted on any other commercial passenger vehicle within our borders.” The NTSB urged other federal agencies, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Federal Motorcoach Safety Administration, and the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to better coordinate efforts to root out buses and other coaches that do not meet U.S. safety standards.

The car accident and bus accident lawyers at Reiff & Bily have been representing seriously injured victims of bus accidents since 1979. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car or bus accident, you deserve to have your rights represented in an aggressive fashion by lawyers with a successful track record. For a free, no obligation consultation, please contact our office at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.