If you’ve been involved in an accident while acting as a passenger on a bus, injuries are likely. If the bus was traveling at a high speed, the likelihood of injuries is even greater. While some people may escape a bus accident harm-free, here are some of the most frequent bus accident injury types.
Whiplash
A whiplash injury occurs when a vehicle (the bus) unexpectedly makes contact with another object or slams on its brakes. The body continues forward, forcing the neck to make a snapping motion, causing a whiplash injury. Whiplash injuries often heal on their own with time.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are another very common injury type in accidents involving motor vehicles. The spinal column protects the spinal cord that is a collection of vertebrae and discs running the length of the spine. If injury to one of the vertebrae or discs occurs, the spinal cord may be damaged.
Paralysis and partial paralysis are the two most common—and most detrimental—side effects of a spinal cord injury. Paralysis/partial paralysis occurs from the point of the injury in the spinal column downward. As such, some people may lose function of their legs only, whereas others may lose function of all of their limbs. The possible lifelong repercussions of a bus accident are why one must research what damages can be collected after a bus accident with his or her bus crash lawyer.
Head Injuries
A head injury can occur whenever the head is hit with force or is shaken severely. In a bus accident, it’s not uncommon for a person’s head to collide with a bus seat, window, floor, another passenger, or even the roof (particularly in a rollover collision). Head injuries may be mild and heal on their own with the rest (i.e. a minor concussion), or more severe. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause lifelong impairment, and may render a person unable to live alone for the remainder of his or her life.
Other injuries that are common in bus accidents include the following.
- Lacerations
- Bruises
- Broken bones
- Psychological wounds (like post-traumatic stress disorder)
Learn More About What to Do After a Bus Accident in Pennsylvania
Injuries from a bus accident can change your life. Following a bus accident in Pennsylvania, make sure you receive all the medical care necessary, and then learn which parties may be held liable for different bus accident types (school bus accident, public transit accident, etc.).
If you’re not sure who might be liable or what action you should take moving forward, our legal team at Cordisco & Saile LLC can help to clear things up. To take legal action today, contact us immediately at 215-642-2335.
