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Main Causes of Tour Bus Accidents

Mesriani_Law_Group | Jul 20, 2010 |

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The Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Getty Museum, and Disneyland are just some of the places that may attract people all over the Unites States.

Tourists spend money so that they can relax while visiting these areas. However, instead of having fun, they might end up getting hurt when involved in a tour bus accident.

Why Tour Bus Accidents Happen

A tour bus is designed to carry a large number of people towards their intended destination. Because it is regarded as a common carrier, only skilled and experienced drivers should be permitted to operate it. Drivers of common carriers have a bigger responsibility compared to other drivers because the lives of many people depend on them.

It is the responsibility of tour bus companies to impose stricter requirements for drivers. They may be also liable in an accident that was caused by an unskilled or unprofessional driver. Aside from driver inexperience, other causes of tour bus accident include the following:

Pedestrians- Pedestrians are required to use designate crosswalks because aside from endangering themselves, their presence in the middle of the road can cause a sudden distraction to drivers.

Negligence- Although a driver is skilled to operate the tour bus, there is still no assurance that an accident will not happen. Performing negligent driving actions like reckless driving, tailgating, or running a red light significantly increases the risks of an accident.

Engine or brake problem- Drivers should check if the tour bus's brakes and engine are working properly before a trip. If they failed to do so, they might encounter problems while on the road.

Miscalculation- Because of the weight and size of a tour bus, drivers may commit an error while making a turn or miscalculate their distance from smaller vehicles.

Drunk driving-This action is still being done by many drivers, though the law strictly prohibits it. In California, drivers are prohibited from operating a vehicle if their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) already reached .08%.

Driver fatigue- Drivers should refrain from driving if they are no longer fit to do so. Lack of sleep and driving for long hours can prevent them from immediately noticing road hazards or avoiding reckless drivers.