School Buses and Commercial Lines
Today, school bus safety is a major topic of discussion throughout the country. The large yellow school buses of which we are all familiar have not been redesigned since the mid-1970s. As unbelievable as it seems, seatbelts are still largely unavailable on school buses. Various groups such as the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, American College of Preventative Medicine, Physicians for Automotive Safety, and the Center for Auto Safety have called for seat belt installation in school buses. Over 10,000 children are injured in school bus accidents each year. It is clearly time to give serious thought to mandating seat belt installation in our Nation's school buses. In addition, the effects of prolonged exposure to toxic diesel exhaust fumes remain to be seen. Some studies have found that schools buses harbor excessive levels of such fumes.
The Federal government defines a bus as a passenger-carrying vehicle designed to seat at least 16 people, including the driver. The Federal Department of Transportation's Motor Carrier Safety Administration is the bus "safety agency." The agency develops rules and regulations in an effort to ensure the safety of bus passengers. Such rules include the hours a bus driver may be required to drive, safety features of buses, and requirements for obtaining a license to drive a bus. Unfortunately, bus accidents do, and will continue to occur.
If you or your child have been seriously injured or killed in a bus related accident, it may be important to contact an attorney who can help you protect your legal rights. Please keep in mind that there may be time limits within which you must commence suit.
Attorneys associated with InjuryBoard.com will evaluate your case free of charge. In addition, you will not pay any fees or costs unless your attorney recovers money for you. Please click on the free Ask An Attorney button to take advantage of this valuable service.
-- Article Courtesy of InjuryBoard.com
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