Arkansas Injury Lawyer Blog

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced new safety rules that would make it harder for tour bus companies to gain permission to operate and easier for the government to put unsafe operators out of business. Other proposals would make it easier for the government to take away bus drivers' commercial licenses if they violate drug and alcohol laws while operating a vehicle other than a bus.

The new proposals would require bus companies to pass a safety audit before receiving federal permission to operate. The audit would include an interview with the company's owners and a safety examination of the company's drivers and vehicles.

This personal injury blog has written about previous serious bus accidents that were caused by unsafe companies and drivers. You can read about them here and here. A post about an Arkansas bus accident can be found here.

If you or a family member has been injured in a bus accident, it is important that you contact an Arkansas injury lawyer as soon a possible so that you know your legal rights.

Cut-rate bus companies, driver fatigue and the need for safer windows and roofs came into focus after a New York bus crash killed 15 people on their way home from a casino. Reports indicate that the driver was driving on a suspended license and should not have been behind the wheel.

The bus is similar to buses in Arkansas that talk people to the casinos for a cheap fare. Federal regulators have long recognized the dangers of fly-by-night bus companies that skimp on safety and skirt the regulations. Although, it was unclear whether this company could be lumped into that category, it is clear that their safety policies and practices were poor.

Driver fatigue, which has been cited more often than any other reason as a cause or contributing factor to bus crashes, has been the target of a slew of recommendations not just for buses and trucks, but in aviation, rail and marine accidents as well. Additionally, reports indicate that the driver served time in prison for manslaughter and grand larceny.

Arkansas personal injury law mandates a high duty on bus drivers and bus companies. However, it is imperative that passengers fully investigate bus companies before they use their services. If you have any questions regarding a bus accident or bus crash, please contact an Arkansas bus accident lawyer to discuss your rights in any personal injury or wrongful death claim.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined that last year’s fatal tour bus accident near Dolan Springs, Ariz. was caused by the driver being distracted by his manipulation of the driver’s side door as he was traveling about 70 mph. As the driver attended to the door, the vehicle drifted out of its lane. The driver then made an abrupt steering maneuver to correct the drift resulting in a loss of directional control of the medium-sized bus.

On January 30, 2009 a 29-passenger bus, operated by DW Tour and Charter and carrying passengers crashed on a return trip from Grand Canyon West to Las Vegas. Seven passengers were killed, and nine passengers and the driver sustained minor to serious injuries. In its investigation the NTSB found that other factors, in addition to the driver’s failure to maintain control of his vehicle, contributed to the accident and its severity.

The vehicle was not equipped with a lane departure warning system. This device would have been alerted upon the initial drift from the driving lane. Further, a stability control system, already widely used in automobiles, could have reduced the likelihood of the driver losing control of the bus.

A synopsis of the Board’s report, including the probable cause, conclusions, and recommendations, is available on the NTSB’s website.

Tour buses are often used in Arkansas by groups and churches. It is important that the bus companies provide safe drivers and safe buses. Unfortunately, serious and catastrophic injuries can occur in bus accidents in Arkansas. If you or a family member would like to speak with an Arkansas bus accident attorney, please contact the Pfeifer Law Firm today.

An Arkansas Bus Crash has taken the life of a woman and more than 25 Northwest Arkansas residents were injured. The Bus accident occurred on Interstate 40 between Russellville and Clarksville, Arkansas.The bus was on its way back to Bentonville from a religious conference in Little Rock Saturday night when it rolled over on Interstate 40. The Arkansas State Police is working with vehicle specialists to determine the cause of the Bus crash.

According to news reports, the bus hit a guardrail, spun and flipped. Investigations into the causes of bus accidents like this are very important so future Arkansas bus crashes can be avoided. The federal government has found serious safety violations by owners of bus companies that transport church or other groups. It is important that Arkansas groups fully investigate the bus companies they hire to transport their members. Further, if the buses are owned by the Arkansas group, it is vital that the bus get fully and completely checked out before it is used. Safety and mechanical problems are found all too often in bus crash investigations. If you have any questions concerning an Arkansas bus crash, please contact the Pfeifer Law Firm.