The news website WRCBtv.com reports that a charter bus and a tractor trailer were involved in a crash that occurred on January 25 in Rutherford County. The Tennessee Highway Patrol states the driver of the truck sneezed and subsequently rear-ended the bus around 2:30 p.m. on Interstate 24. Both the bus and large truck were traveling westbound in a construction zone when the accident occurred four miles south of Murfreesboro. The bus was en route from Atlanta to Nashville, and 7 of the 15 occupants of the bus suffered non-critical injuries. The semi truck, which was carrying refrigerated food, only suffered damage to its front end. Due to a lane closure from the crash, traffic on the interstate was backed up for a short time.
Though accidents involving commercial buses may not be the first concern for bus riders, statistics from the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reveal that bus collisions can be serious and result in significant injuries or even fatalities. In 2008, the FMCSA data shows that there were 11,000 bus injury crashes, which resulted in 24,000 individuals being injured. This equates to 153.1 injury crashes per 100 million vehicle miles travelled. With a total of 30,000 commercial buses for tours, charters, and special operations in the U.S., and an average of 360 million bus riders every year, it is imperative that bus drivers practice safety while behind the wheel at all times.
Bus accident injuries can be very serious, and being involved in a bus collision can be quite traumatic for the riders involved. Any Tennessee resident involved in a bus accident deserves compensation to aid in recovering from their injuries and to get back on their feet. The skilled bus accident attorneys in Chattanooga with Massey & Associates, P.C. are dedicated to helping bus accident injury victims hold any negligent parties responsible for the crash liable, including the bus driver or the operating company. For a complimentary consultation, call (423) 697-4529.
