Have You Been Injured? We're Ready to Fight for You.

What Should I Do at the Scene of a Bus Accident?

Published on Jul 24, 2018 by Thomas Law Offices.

30 years ago, in Carroll County, Kentucky, 27 of 67 bus passengers, most of them being children and teenagers, perished in one of the country’s deadliest bus accidents when a drunk driver collided with a church activity bus. Because of this accident, Kentucky imposed several laws in an attempt to avoid future disasters; however, accidents still happen.

According to a study does by Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute, 63,000 buses are involved in accidents each year. Of those accidents, 14,000 people are injured, and 325 fatalities occur. Whether you are a passenger or a witness, a bus accident can be a terrifying scene. It’s important to know what to do, how to help other victims, and how to seek justice for what you’ve been through.

Kentucky Bus Regulations

Every state has their own laws and regulations for transit safety. For the complete laws and regulations, visit the Federal Transit Administration.

Vehicle Laws

  • Vehicle Condition – Buses are to be cleaned and sanitized so as not to negatively impact the health of its passengers.
  • Size and Weight Limitations – Statute 603 KAR 5:071 defines the dimension limitations for buses.
  • Maintenance and Inspection – Buses must undergo safety inspections at least once a year. The Kentucky State Police may conduct an inspection of any bus at any time.

Operational Laws

  • General Operational Requirements – Bus drivers must take into consideration the wellbeing of all passengers.
  • Transportation of Passengers – Overcrowding is prohibited.
  • Transportation of Passengers with Special Needs – There are established procedures on behalf of the Coordinated Transportation Advisory Committee to provide efficient, safe, and coordinated transportation of all passengers.
  • Rail Crossing Procedures – All buses must stop at railroad grade crossings.
  • Baggage – Baggage should be stored so as not to interfere with the driver or the safety and comfort of the passengers.

What to Do if You’re the Passenger of a Bus Accident

If you are in a bus accident and are able to do so, call 9-1-1 immediately. Your first priority should be to seek medical attention for yourself and any other injured passengers. Even if you feel fine, it is imperative you be examined by a medical professional. If you choose not to seek medical attention and later discover injuries related to the bus crash, you may have a harder time seeking compensation for your injuries.

Once you have received medical attention, do what you can to document the scene. You’ll want to collect as much evidence as possible. You may want to record the bus company, bus number, and driver information. It’s a good idea to get contact information from other bus crash victims and possible witnesses. You’ll also want to document the location of the accident and the number of vehicles involved in the crash. Take photos of any vehicular damages and your own injuries.

It’s best not to talk to the bus driver at the scene of the accident. The bus company will most likely want to do whatever they can to minimize their damage coverages. Any discussion you have with the bus driver could aid them in doing so.

What to Do if You’re the Witness of a Bus Accident

Witnessing a bus accident can be a shock. The first thing you must do it call 9-1-1. Bus passengers are likely to have sustained injuries from the crash. The sooner they receive medical attention, the better.

After you’ve called 9-1-1, examine the scene. You’ll want to document what you saw as quickly and as vividly as possible, so you can outline what happened for law enforcement officials. You may be able to provide unique details about the event that the driver or passengers did not see.

Seek Legal Counsel

Bus accidents, though uncommon, do happen and can have devastating consequences. If you’ve been hurt or injured in a bus accident, you will need to act quickly to seek a financial award from the liable party. Our Louisville, Kentucky bus accident lawyers can help you begin that process today. Contact us for a free evaluation of your claim.

Free Case Evaluation

At Thomas Law Offices, our personal injury attorneys recognize that our potential clients are likely going through some of the most difficult times of their lives. We don't want you to have to worry about paying out of pocket for legal advice when you're just starting to learn your legal rights and options. That's why we provide free case evaluations. We'll offer our expert advice about your potential case and walk you through how we can help you.

Call us or fill out the form below to tell us about your potential case and a personal injury lawyer will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Meet Our Founder

Tad Thomas - Trial Lawyer

Tad Thomas

Managing Partner

Tad Thomas has dedicated his practice to representing plaintiffs in various types of civil litigation, including personal injury, business litigation, class actions, and multi-district litigation.

After graduating with his law degree in 2000 from Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University, Mr. Thomas immediately opened his own private practice and began representing injury victims.

In 2011, Thomas Law Offices was established in Louisville, Kentucky. Over the past decade, Mr. Thomas has expanded his firm and now has offices in three additional locations: Cincinnati, Ohio, Columbia, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. He is also a frequent lecturer on topics like trial skills and ethics and technology.

Legal & Firm News

Former Nebraska Women’s Basketball Player Sues Coach & University Over Alleged Sexual Grooming

A February 18 civil lawsuit filed by a former University of Nebraska basketball player alleges that the male associate head coach of her then-team used their position of authority to groom her into a sexual relationship with them. This alleged sexual misconduct occurred between 2020 and 2022. Listed as defendants in the lawsuit are the […]

Read More

Iowa Nursing Home Staff Abused and Laughed at Patients According to Records

A whistleblower retaliation lawsuit filed on Feb. 15, 2024, reveals how there was pervasive mistreatment of nursing home residents at a DesMoines, Iowa nursing home beginning as early as March 2022.   A later Iowa Department of Inspection and Appeals (DIA) investigation, launched after her dismissal, confirmed the majority of those reports (and others) alleging staff […]

Read More

Tad Thomas Named Lawdragon 500 Leading Consumer Plaintiff Lawyer for 2024

Thomas Law Offices is proud to announce that founder, Tad Thomas, has been recognized by Lawdragon on the 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list. Tad has been a trial lawyer for over 20 years. He founded Thomas Law Offices in Louisville, Kentucky, and over the years, his reputation and practice have grown, expanding […]

Read More
Tad Thomas on The National Crime Victim Bar Association
National Civil Justice Institute - Trustee
Tad Thomas on Lawyer Minds
Tad Thomas on American Association for Justice
Southern Trial Lawyers Association
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Ohio Association for Justice
Kentucky Justice Association
Fellows of the Litigation Counsel of America
Martindale Hubbell Preeminent
2021 Public Justice Member
AAJ Masters of Trial Law: Champion