The Importance of Bus Driver Protocol

More than 30 people were injured on May 18th, 2018, after two buses collided at the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel, which connects New York to New Jersey under the Hudson River. The accident occurred when one transit bus rear-ended another. Due to the low speed of the collision there were no deaths, but multiple serious injuries were reported.

Due to the level of traffic, emergency crews were delayed in reaching accident victims, potentially complicating long-term treatment efficacy. The sooner a traumatic injury can be diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of good outcome. Tunnels and other restricted areas can increase the chances of a worse prognosis.

Though accidents involving multiple buses are relatively rare, single bus accidents are fairly common, resulting in thousands of injuries per year. Rear-end accidents are almost entirely preventable. So long as the bus driver is maintaining a proper distance behind the vehicle in front of them, stopping in time to prevent a collision should happen every time.

Unfortunately, bus drivers do not always follow proper protocols, which puts every passenger at risk. Examples of unsafe driving include:

• Tailgating, or following too closely behind other vehicles
• Rapid or unnecessary lane changes
• Speeding

Any one of these behaviors increases the likelihood of an accident occurring, and due to the sheer size of a bus every collision carries with it a significant risk of injury. Bus drivers must be held accountable for their driving, and passengers should report any instances of unsafe driving to the bus company.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a bus accident, the long-term health effects can be significant. In some situations, it can take weeks for the full extent of an injury to be revealed. Please, consult with an experienced attorney regarding your case, and insure the driver is held responsible for any dangerous maneuvers that may have led to the accident.