About 4:05 a.m. on June 20, 1998, a 1997 Motor Coach Industries 47-passenger motorcoach, operated by Greyhound Lines, Inc., was on a scheduled trip from New York City to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, traveling westbound on the Pennsylvania Turnpike near Burnt Cabins, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. As the bus approached milepost (MP) 184.9, it traveled off the right side of the roadway into an “emergency parking area,”¹ where it struck the back of a parked tractor-semi trailer, which was pushed forward and struck the left side of another parked tractor-semi trailer. Of the 23 people on board the bus, the driver and 6 passengers were killed; the other 16 passengers were injured. The two occupants of the first tractor-semi trailer were injured, and the occupant of the second tractor-semi trailer was uninjured.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of this accident was the bus driver’s reduced alertness resulting from ingesting a sedating antihistamine and from his fatigued condition resulting from Greyhound Lines, Inc., scheduling irregular work-rest periods. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s practice of routinely permitting no emergency parking in pull-off areas within the highway clear zone.

The major safety issues identified in this accident are the bus driver’s performance, the adequacy of carrier oversight, the adequacy of the design and the appropriateness of the use of pull-off areas, the lack of motor coach emergency interior lighting and retroreflective signage, and the organization of the disaster preparedness and emergency response management.

Because of accidents such as this, the Safety Board can make recommendations to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and others involved. Those injured may also pursue civil claims against the driver, their company, and others. Civil claims can afford injured persons and their families’ compensation for their injuries, pain and suffering, and other losses.

Legal claims involving buses can involve complex legal, technical, and safety issues. The following are a few important legal, factual and evidentiary matters that should be considered when evaluating a claim.

• When, where, and under what circumstances did the accident occur?
• Was anyone charged in the accident?
• Was alcohol, medication, or drugs involved?
• Did the driver violate any rules of the road or other safety regulations?
• Was the vehicle defective in any manner?
• Did the bus have all necessary safety equipment?
• Were there safety devices that the bus could have had?
• Were there any road defects?
• What were the nature and extent of any injuries?
• Were there any permanent injuries?
• Were there any lost wages?
• Is future medical care anticipated?

It is important that an experienced legal team evaluate a bus accident claim. Complex legal, factual, and evidentiary issues may be involved. If you, a friend, or loved one are hurt in a bus accident, you should take immediate steps to protect your or their interest. Do not compromise your rights by making statements to the press, insurance investigators, potential defendants, their representatives, and do not sign anything. Consider the suggestions in our accident guide, and call us immediately. We are here to help. At Larry King, P.C., we recognize the unique issues pertaining to your claim. You can call us at (757) 595-8100 seven days a week, 24 hours a day, everyday of the year. We also offer a free legal-infoline service, and you can now contact us on this web site by using the following Personal Injury Contact form. We are committed to doing the extra things it takes to help our clients.