Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
A recent bus accident in Margate has passengers mindful to select an accredited charter company before your travel in order to reduce the risk of injury or else you will need to get an experienced Fort Lauderdale bus accident attorney to help you sort through the negligent behavior provided by the driver and tour bus company.
The Sun Sentinel reported the accident that involved an empty fuel tanker that smashed into the back of a Broward transit bus. Both vehicles were traveling on the northbound lanes of State Road 7 near Margate Boulevard when the crash occurred. There were a total of 25 passengers injured. One passenger sustaining severe injuries was sent to North Broward Medical Center, three passengers were treated and released at the scene and the other 21 were transported to various area hospitals. The crash is still under investigation as no apparent cause has been determined yet.
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued several gag orders recently to bus companies that have been caught red-handed for unacceptable safety violations. The Mr. Ho Charter Service of Pennsylvania was shut down by FMCSA for several drug and alcohol testing violations and for not complying with the federal hours-of-service standards required of the drivers. The order was issued following a fatal accident on Pennsylvania Turnpike which killed one and injured 25 others aboard the charter bus.
A Georgia bus company, H&W Tour, Inc. was ordered to get off the road within hours of FMCSA discovering violations so flagrant and with complete disregard for its passengers’ safety. Numerous violations were accrued after a complete investigation was completed by FMCSA investigators.
“Illegal and unscrupulous bus companies are a serious threat to innocent travelers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “The full force of the federal government will be brought to bear on those who willfully place bus passengers and others who share the road in needless peril.”
United Tours, Inc. and Sky Express Inc., charter companies based in North Carolina, were both ordered out-of-service by FMCSA for Imminent Hazard to the Public and Unsatisfactory Safety Rating for multiple violations, respectively.
FMCSA is asking for consumers feedback on the 2011-2016 Strategic Plan: Raising the Safety Bar. The devised plan proposes to:
-Raise the level at which motor carrier companies are accepted in to the industry.
-Expect high safety standards to be maintained by all members of the industry.
-Eliminate the risk of injury to passengers by placing high risk carriers, drivers and service providers out-of-service when violations are made.
“At the Department of Transportation, safety is our number one priority,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This strategic plan represents a fresh and bold new view on issues critical to bus and truck safety, and I encourage Americans across the country to provide feedback and help shape the final plan.”
To submit a comment about the strategic plan on FMCSA’s website, click IdeaScale Community to post.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a bus or large truck accident in West Palm Beach, Miami, Margate, Hollywood or the surrounding areas, contact the personal injury lawyers at Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC for a free no-obligation appointment to discuss your rights. Call 1-800-561-7777.
Additional Resources:
25 Broward transit passengers hurt after crash with fuel tanker, by Jerome Burdi, Sun Sentinel
School Bus Accidents in Port St. Lucie Often Caused by Operator Negligence, Contact an Experienced Law Firm Immediately, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, May 12, 2011
Tour Bus Accidents a Common Danger in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, April 24, 2011