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A man wanted for firing shots at police was evading arrest during a chase in Philadelphia that ended in a collision with a school bus on the morning of Tuesday, November 24, 2015. Pennsylvania State Police stopped the vehicle for an expired registration sticker, asking the two occupants of the vehicle to step outside of the car. Both people complied with the officer’s request, but one of them hurriedly climbed back into the car and took off. After a brief pursuit on Interstate 676—during which time the car’s driver exchanged fire with police—the car smashed into a school bus.

The bus had no passengers on board at the time of the crash, and the bus driver managed to get out of the vehicle before it burst into flames. The car that caused the collision also caught fire, and both vehicles were extensively damaged from the flames. The driver of the car exited the vehicle and once again began shooting at police. During this time, Trooper Patrick Casey was shot by the suspect in the shoulder. He is expected to survive his injury and make a full recovery following treatment at Hahnemann University Hospital.

The Vine Street Expressway was closed to traffic in either direction between Interstate 95 and Interstate 76 while the suspect was being apprehended and the scene was being secured. Many witnesses expressed fear after seeing the school bus catch fire, but so far the only injury reported was that of Trooper Casey after being shot by the suspect. The suspect’s name has not been released. The suspect and the car’s other occupant were both arrested in the time following the fiery crash on I-676.

According to data published by the CDC, metropolitan areas like Philadelphia are at the highest risk of producing a fatal traffic accident, with 444 fatality crash deaths taking place on Philadelphia roadways in 2009. In a report released by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, 369 school buses were said to have been involved in traffic accidents on state roadways in 2014.

Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach

Thruway Motorcoach is Amtrak’s nationwide system of Amtrak-owned intercity coaches, locally contracted transit buses, through-ticketed local bus routes and taxi services to connect Amtrak train stations to areas not served by its railroads.

Coach USA

Coach USA, LLC is a holding company for various transportation service providers providing scheduled intercity bus service, local and commuter bus transit, city sightseeing, tour, yellow school bus, and charter bus service throughout the United States. It is owned by the British transport company Stagecoach Group.

Concord Coach Lines

Concord Coach Lines, Inc., formerly known as Concord Trailways, is an inter-city bus company based in Concord, New Hampshire. With operations along the I – 95 corridor between Bangor, Maine and Boston, Massachusetts, as well as the I – 93 corridor in New Hampshire with service from Berlin and Littleton through Concord to Boston and Logan International Airport.

Greyhound

Greyhound Lines, Inc. is the largest provider of intercity bus transportation in the United States, with service to more than 2,300 destinations across North America. Greyhound also has three operating subsidiaries in the U.S., which are a part of the nationwide Greyhound network of buses. They include: Valley Transit Company, serving the Texas-Mexico border, Crucero USA, serving southern California and Arizona into Mexico, and Americanos USA, serving destinations in Mexico from Texas and New Mexico.

Trial Update: On December 15, 2011, Ryan Zehl and Kevin Haynes were awarded $7.2 Million after a three week trial against Greyhound. This is the largest verdict ever awarded against the company in connection with a back injury case.

Our client injured her lower back when a Greyhound bus rolled over while driving on icy roads and required a future back surgery. Greyhound offered less than $150,000 to settle the case, which didn’t even cover the cost of the back surgery and medical care that her doctor recommended.

Megabus

Megabus, branded as megabus.com, is an intercity bus service of Coach USA/Coach Canada and DATTCO providing discount travel services throughout the Northeast, the Southeast, and Midwestern United States, and in southern Canada.

Peter Pan Bus Line

Peter Pan Bus Lines is a long-distance bus carrier based out of Springfield, Massachusetts. It operates throughout the northeastern United States. Peter Pan’s major service areas include: Boston, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; Springfield, Massachusetts; Hartford, Connecticut; New York, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; Washington, D.C.; and points in between. In 1999, Peter Pan formed an alliance with Greyhound, coordinating schedules, marketing and ticket sales.

Rimrock Trailways

Rimrock Trailways, also known as Rimrock Stages, is an intercity bus carrier based in Billings, Montana. Rimrock recently began providing service from Billings, MT to Missoula, MT, a route that was handled by Greyhound until June 21, 2011.

If you or a Loved One were Injured in a Bus Accident, Call (888) 854-8989 for a Free Consultation with one of Our Bus Accident Attorneys

Millions of people each year depend on American bus companies to get them to their destinations safely. When a bus company decides to cut corners and innocent people get hurt as a result, that company can and should be held responsible for their carelessness.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a bus accident, contact the experienced Bus Accident Injury Lawyers at Zehl & Associates, PC today for a free, no-obligation consultation at (888) 854-8989.

Bus accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor muscle pain, cuts and scratches to broken bones, herniated discs, and even death.

Typical Bus Accident Injuries

While a wide range of injuries can result from a bus accident, some of the most typical injuries that may result include:

• Broken Bones (Particularly Legs, Hands and Arms);
• Herniated discs in the Neck (cervical spine) and Back (Lumbar Spine)
• Head and Neck Injuries, Including Whiplash; and
• Internal Injuries and Bleeding
• Bus Accident Injury Medical Treatments

In some cases, recovery from injuries sustained in a bus accident can require surgeries, extended periods of hospitalization, physical therapy and even on-going care. In more serious accidents, permanent disability may occur, requiring a lifetime of prescription medications, medical treatment and in-home care. The expense of life-long medical care can quickly climb into the millions of dollars.

Our Bus Accident Lawyers ensure that our clients not only receive the best medical treatment possible, but that they are also fully compensated for both the cost of the treatment and the pain and suffering they experienced as a result of their injuries.

Discuss Your Legal Rights Today: 1-888-854-8989

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a bus accident, contact the experienced Bus Accident Injury Lawyers at Zehl & Associates, PC for a free consultation: 1-888-854-8989.

Driver Inattention & Speeding Among Most Common Bus Accident Causes

Bus accidents can happen for a number of different reasons, including driver fatigue, driver inattention, poor weather or road conditions, or mechanical failure.

Because of the enormous weight and size of these vehicles, accidents often cause catastrophic and—sometimes fatal—injuries. This is why it is so vital that bus companies and the drivers they employ are not only qualified and properly trained to transport passengers, but that they also do everything possible to keep their passengers, and everyone around them, as safe as possible.

When bus companies fail to hold up their end of the bargain by causing accidents and injuries, they have an obligation to accept responsibility and ensure that they fully compensate the victims for the injuries and damages they suffered.

Unfortunately, most major bus companies will do whatever possible to avoid responsibility after an accident.

Whether we settle or have to take the company to court, our Bus Accident Lawyers know how to make these major bus companies accept responsibility and fully compensate our clients for their injuries and damages.

Negligent & Reckless Driving a Leading Cause

Across the country, an alarming number of bus accidents are caused by the negligent and reckless actions of bus drivers, many of which were never even qualified to drive a bus in the first place.

Speeding, driving too fast for the conditions, cell phone usage and generally failing to follow the rules of the road all contributed to the 254 who were killed and the 20,000 who were injured in bus accidents in 2009 alone.

The most common instances of reckless conduct by bus drivers leading to accidents include:

• Driving without the training and qualifications required to safely operate the vehicle;
• Speeding to reach the destination more quickly;
• Usage of a cell phone or other mobile device while driving; and
• Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol

Vehicle Failure Also Contributes to Bus Accidents

Buses that travel long distances need to be properly maintained in order to prevent accidents from occurring. When drivers or bus companies fail to properly inspect or maintain their buses, serious accidents can and do result. Poorly maintained buses are always more likely to break down or cause accidents than buses that receive regular maintenance and repairs.

Among the most common types of vehicle failures that lead to bus accidents are:

• Tire Blowouts;
• Brake Failure; and
• Steering Failure

The Bus Accident Lawyers at Zehl & Associates have the Experience and Resources to Ensure that our Clients are Fully Compensated for their Injuries and Damages: 1-888-854-8989

Our lawyers have fought and successfully defeated the largest bus companies in the Country, including Greyhound. If you or a loved one were injured or killed in a bus accident, it’s important that you hire a lawyer who has the experience to protect you and your family’s rights and make sure that the bus company and its driver are held responsible.

Contact one of our Bus Accident Attorneys for a free consultation by filling out the form to your right, or calling 1-888-854-8989.