Improved Safety Standards Needed for Buses to Prevent Injury and Death in North Carolina (NC) and Beyond | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

A recent news release by the American Association for Justice (AAJ) in April, 2009 shows the need for improved national safety rules related to large trucks and buses.  The safety standards for buses have not been updated in decades.  The problem of rollovers resulting in death of passengers needs to be addressed.  According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), over 12,000 lives could be saved if we had better regulations for commercial vehicles and the amount of pressure they are designed to take when overturned and force is applied to the roof structure.  There are no seat belt requirements that exist for the buses used by folks in North Carolina or elsewhere in the country.

 

Importantly, the minimum level of insurance required by bus companies and motor carriers has not been raised in 30 years and poses a real risk of inadequate compensation to folks who have a loved one die in a bus wreck or even just a serious injury.  This is particular true when multiple people or cars are involved in a collision with a bus.  We have all seen the news stories about buses and people being hurt in a single bad accident involving public transportation or privately chartered motor vehicles used to transport groups of tourists or students.  As a member of the AAJ, which is the largest group of plaintiffs’ lawyers in the country, I am proud that they are bringing these issues to the attention of Congress to try to lessen the harm to consumers and the over 100,000 families who are the victim of injuries in crashes involving large trucks and buses each year.

 

Shapiro, Washburn & Sharppersonal injury law firm is based in Virginia (VA), near the Northeast North Carolina (NC) border, practicing primarily in the southeastern U.S. and handles only injury law, including car, truck, railroad, and medical negligence cases and more. The firm’s website is: hsinjurylaw.com, the firm edits the injury law blogs Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, as well as the Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard and also hosts a video library covering many FAQ’s on personal injury subjects. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY.