Were You Injured in a Bus Crash in Nebraska?
While bus crashes are rare in Nebraska, they do happen, and when they do, they often result in massive injuries or multiple deaths. At Friedman Law Offices in Lincoln, Nebraska, our lawyers have extensive experience representing victims of all types of motor vehicle crashes, including incidents involving common carriers such as buses. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your rights.
Common Carriers Have a Higher Duty of Care
When we board a bus, we trust that the vehicle has been properly maintained and that the driver is qualified to drive the vehicle. However, serious injury and deaths can result from negligence such as:
- Failure of the driver to maintain control of the vehicle
- Tire blowouts that can cause rollovers
- Failure of bus safety equipment due to lack of maintenance
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Common carriers such as buses and taxicabs have a higher duty of care toward their passengers than drivers of other vehicles. For example, if you are passenger in a car, the driver only needs to exercise “reasonable care” to prevent passenger injury. The driver of a common carrier such as a bus or taxi must use the “highest care” to keep passengers safe. In other words, the driver must do all that he or she can do to avoid harm to passengers. Special rules apply to securing the safety of children and disabled passengers.
Hospitals Where Bus Accident Injuries Can Be Treated
Depending on the nature of their injuries, people hurt in bus collisions can be taken to several area hospitals for treatment. Some of these include:
- CHI Health St. Elizabeth: General Level Trauma Center with an emergency room staffed 24/7 and a skilled pediatric ER. The hospital is located at 555 S 70th St. in Lincoln.
- Bryan Medical Center West: Level II Trauma Center with 24/7 trauma provider coverage. The hospital is located at 2300 S. 16th Street in Lincoln.
- CHI Health Nebraska Heart Hospital: Medical center specializing in the treatment of cardiovascular injuries and diseases. The hospital is located at 7500 South 91st Street in Lincoln.
- Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital: Medical center recognized nationally for specialized rehabilitation services, particularly for brain and spinal cord injuries. It is located at 5401 South Street in Lincoln.
Dangerous Intersections and Roads in Lincoln
According to the City of Lincoln crash data and various media reports, the most dangerous intersections in the city of Lincoln include:
- 70th and Wedgewood
- 27th and O Street
- 14th and Superior (roundabout)
- 27th and Cornhusker
- 70th and Pine Lake Road (roundabout)
- 48th and O Street
- 27th and Highway 2
Additional dangerous roads and highways include Interstate 80, which sees a significant number of crashes due to higher speed limits and high traffic volume. Railroad crossings at 33rd Street and Adams Street have one of the highest exposure and crash ratings in Nebraska.
StarTran Public Bus and Lincoln Public Schools Safety Measures
StarTran, Lincoln’s public transit system, maintains several safety initiatives designed to ensure that passengers remain uninjured. These include:
- Driver Training Requirements: All bus operators must pass the Federal Department of Transportation physical standards and undergo commercial driver training.
- Mandatory Drug Testing: Bus drivers, a safety-sensitive position, must comply with drug testing policies.
- Regular Vehicle Maintenance and Disinfection: Buses are cleaned and maintained on regular schedules.
- Two-Way Radio Communication: Drivers maintain constant contact with dispatchers.
Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) has implemented several safety programs as well. These include:
- Stop-Arm Violation Enforcement: LPS has reported increased cases of drivers ignoring school bus stop signs and has been working to educate the public.
- Nebraska State Law Enforcement: When school bus stop signal lights are flashing, motorists must reduce speed to no more than 25 mph.
- Complete Stops Required: When the bus stop signal arm is extended, drivers must come to a complete stop until the arm retracts.
Safety Awareness Campaigns: LPS created educational videos shown on cable channel 21, their website, and social media, emphasizing student safety around school buses.
Friedman Law Fights for People Injured in Bus Accidents
If you’ve been injured in a bus crash, the experienced and skilled lawyers at Friedman Law can handle legal matters while you focus on your medical recovery. Our attorneys are committed to getting the maximum compensation possible for every client. Injuries from a bus collision can be severe and long-lasting, but you don’t have to walk through this difficult time alone. You may be entitled to financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Our caring attorneys and staff will walk beside you every step of the way through the legal process. We are proud of our many satisfied clients. To find out more about how we can help, contact us for a free consultation.