Washington is home to many colleges and universities, most of which have to figure out a way to transport large groups of students at times. The best way to transport groups of people is often via bus. This type of transport is also more economical than cars because buses can transport more individuals at once. There are dangers to taking a bus, however. A bus usually does not have the same safety features as a car, such as an airbag or a seat belt for every occupant. These differences can make bus accidents even more dangerous for both passengers and others on the road.
A sorority from the University of Delaware was traveling to a party for homecoming when the bus they were riding in overturned. The bus turned over due to an accident with a tractor trailer. Several of the sorority members sustained bus accident injuries as a result of the bus accident.
The bus crash occurred on a Thursday night, around 10:00 p.m. The tractor trailer apparently ran a red light and hit the bus as the bus was attempting to make a left turn. The truck driver was cited for failing to stop at a red light.
Nine members of the sorority were taken to the nearby hospital and two were admitted with non-life threatening injuries. The bus driver was not injured, fortunately, but the rest of the sorority was treated for minor injuries at area medical centers.
Washington has many different methods of public transportation, including buses. Many people take advantage of public transportation as a cheap and efficient method of getting around. Operator error, mechanical issues and general negligence can cause accidents, though. These types of accidents can be dangerous because of the lack of safety features and size of most public transportation vehicles. If the accident is due to the negligence of the transportation company or driver, the injured individual may be entitled to compensation.
Source: The Washington Post, “Officials: Sorority members injured when bus overturns in crash with tractor trailer in Del.,” Oct. 11, 2013