Emergency Exits and Bus Accidents

Buses travel thousands of miles each year on US roads and highways. Whether carrying sports teams, school children, travelers, or providing everyday transportation, buses are responsible for huge numbers of passengers in their time of operation. Just like any other vehicle on the road, buses can be involved in harmful accidents. A bus accident is often magnified by the number of people involved and the large size of the vehicle. These two factors can contribute to frightening situations and a need for emergency preparations. Emergency exits, which are required by the US Department of Transportation, can allow people to quickly escape dangerous situations when they arise.

Emergency situations generally occur without much warning. Bus passengers are especially vulnerable in these instances because, unlike in smaller vehicles, most seats do not have seat belts to keep a passenger safely in place during a collision. Many injuries occur in bus accidents from people being flung from their seats. In the midst of a chaotic accident scenario, knowing how to get away from a dangerous situation quickly can be crucial to a person's well-being. Also, being able to access people and quickly getting them proper care can be a matter of life or death.

Because of these reasons, emergency exits are a necessary attribute to any bus. The Department of Transportation requires that laminated safety glass that is designed to resist shattering is used in buses. Emergency exit windows made of safety glass provide large spaces through which passengers can exit in the event of an emergency. These exits must be clearly marked so that they can be recognized in any situation. Also, there may be no more than two mechanical operations required to remove the safety glass.

It is crucial that emergency exits are in place and properly maintained on any bus, because there is always the potential for a dangerous accident to occur. Some bus companies are not always in compliance with these regulations. Ensure that you can identify emergency exits on any bus you occupy and hold the bus company accountable for ensuring their proper operation.

Please visit the website of the Iowa bus defect lawyers at LaMarca & Landry, P.C. for more information on bus accidents.

James Witherspoon