It’s not just truck driver fatigue that Houston bus accident lawyers should be concerned about, but also the risk to passengers from bus drivers fatigued at the wheel.  An accident last week in Virginia that killed four people and injured dozens of others makes it clear that the federal administration needs to come down harder on companies that allow drivers to work long hours without a break.  The driver involved in the Virginia accident told investigators that he had been tired at the wheel.

While truck drivers are required to take a 10-hour break between shifts, bus drivers are only required to take an eight-hour break between shifts.  The problem of fatigue affecting bus drivers is one that has not been carefully examined.  It stands to reason however that all commercial motor vehicle drivers, including bus and truck drivers are at a greater risk of fatigue and tiredness, and these factors could increase their risk of accidents.

What makes the Virginia accident even more appalling is that it never should have happened.  The company that operated the bus, Sky Express of North Carolina had been cited several times by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for a number of violations.  Those violations included drivers operating the vehicle for hours without a break.

After an investigation, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in April made the decision to order Sky Express buses off the roads.  However, instead of simply ordering the vehicles off the roads, the agency decided that the company should receive an extension to appeal the federal decision.  That unfortunate decision should never have been made.  It has cost four lives, and has traumatized dozens of passengers on the bus, some of who are still being treated for their injuries in the hospital.

Vuk Vujasinovic is a Board Certified Houston personal injury attorney who practices Houston auto accident and other personal injury cases.

For more info on how Vuk can help you with your potential case please call him at (877) 724-7800 or fill out the contact form on the right.

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