Posted in Bus Accident,Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on December 24, 2014
Medon Bus Crash on Highway 18 Sends Multiple People to the Hospital
A church bus carrying 14 people was forced off the road in Medon, Tennessee, Sunday morning by a pickup truck and flipped into a ditch, injuring multiple people inside.
According to a report by wbbjtv.com and the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the accident occurred around 10 a.m. on Highway 18 in Medon.
Eric Turner, the Madison County fire chief, said multiple people were ejected from the bus during the crash and had suffered serious injuries, while others were still inside the bus when emergency crews arrived at the scene.
A Tennessee Highway Patrol officer said the pickup truck was driving north on Highway 18 on the wrong side of the road when it hit the bus, causing it to veer off the road and flip.
Two passengers on the bus suffered injuries severe enough to require an airlift to a Memphis hospital while other victims were treated at a local hospital in Jackson, Tennessee.
The Nashville car accident lawyers at Matt Hardin Law hope the victims of this bus accident experience quick and complete recoveries from their injuries.
Bus Passenger Safety Tips
When you’re a passenger on a bus, you may feel like you don’t have any control over the possibility of a bus accident occurring. While you may not be able to directly control the vehicle, you can still do your part to make the bus ride safer for you, your family, and other passengers.
Because of its size and unique shape, driving a bus requires more concentration and focus than driving a standard passenger vehicle. That’s why it’s important to never do anything inside the bus that could distract the driver and cause him or her to lose focus on the road, even for just a moment. Make sure you and your family don’t use any distracting electronic devices or play loud music, and always stay seated until the bus comes to a stop.
Not every bus is equipped with seat belts, but some charter and tour buses are equipped with these vital safety features. If your bus has seat belts, make sure you and your family buckle up for the entire duration of the trip. Wearing a seat belt can dramatically reduce your risk of suffering a serious injury in the event of an accident.
Every passenger on a bus should have his or her own seat, including small children. Placing a child on your lap puts him or her in danger, especially if the bus suddenly decelerates, makes a sudden sharp turn, or is involved in an accident. Small children should either be buckled up or placed in a child safety seat and buckled up if the bus is equipped with seat belts.
Buses are equipped with emergency exit doors at their rear and sides to allow passengers a chance to escape in case the bus flips onto its side or the door is damaged and no longer opens. Before riding on a bus, take time to become familiar with the operation of emergency exit doors, including how to open them in the event of an accident. Doing so quickly and promptly after an accident could save a life.
For passengers, bus accidents are sometimes unavoidable, but their severity and likelihood to cause serious injuries can be reduced by taking a proactive approach to safety and precaution.
If you or someone you love was injured in a bus accident that was caused by another person’s negligence, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your accident-related expenses, including medical bills and lost wages. Contact the Nashville car accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law by dialing (615) 200-1111 or filling out a free online form. We’re here to help you get the money you need to put the accident behind you for good.
