Passengers suffer injuries after two buses crash in Massachusetts

On behalf of Aiken and Aiken P.C. Personal Injury Attorneys posted in Car Accidents, on Saturday, February 8, 2014

Many Massachusetts residents may opt to travel or commute by bus to save money, or out of convenience. Bus travel definitely does have its perks, but those who choose to ride them are not entirely immune to the dangers that affect other vehicles on the road. While bussing can be safer than, say, riding a motorcycle, passengers can still be caught in accidents out of their control and end up suffering a variety of injuries.A recent accident on the Massachusetts turnpike involved two buses and many passengers. The drivers of both buses suffered minor injuries, as did three of the passengers. Travelling eastbound on the highway, one of the buses, while travelling at a reduced speed, made contact with a bus that was stopped in front of it. The buses had to be towed following the crash, which caused traffic delays. The passengers that did not suffer injuries were transferred to another bus. The ones that did suffer injuries were rushed to a nearby hospital where they were treated for back pain. Back pain is a common complaint following motor vehicle accidents. There are a variety of other injuries, such as whiplash that cause victims great distress and sometimes require long-term treatment. Commercial buses are considered “common carriers” and the laws that pertain to taxicabs and commercial airplanes also pertain to buses. Much the same as other personal injury claims, buses and bus companies are held to the laws of negligence. Courts use a “reasonableness” standard to determine if a bus driver or company is guilty of negligence.Proving negligence allows victims to pursue compensation for the injuries they have suffered as the result of a motor vehicle accident. With commercial buses, there are state and federal regulations that come into play. Therefore, it is prudent for Massachusetts residents to undergo legal consultation in order to determine what laws are involved and what the best, most effective way to pursue a negligence claim would be. Source: Boston Globe, “Five hurt when two MBTA buses collide on Mass. Pike,” Catalina Gaitan, Jan. 31, 2014