Common Injuries to Bus Passengers

 Posted on November 02, 2023 in Bus Accident Injury

With buses making frequent stops to drop off and pick up passengers, this form of public transit carries inherent risks. As a bus passenger, you have no control of the drive; you are simply along for the ride. If you have been injured in a bus accident, it is important that you receive appropriate compensation, and that begins with hiring an experienced Lake County passenger injury lawyer.

Types of Injuries in a Bus Accident

A bus passenger may experience any of the following injuries if in a crash:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is any violent blow or strike to the head that disrupts a person’s normal brain function. In 2021, 69,473 people died due to TBI-related injuries. 

TBIs are common in bus accidents since the force of the crash can cause a person’s brain to shake violently within the skull, damaging parts of the brain. A person who suffers from a TBI can experience a host of symptoms, such as headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, slurred speech, and vision changes.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Any sudden force put on the spine can result in a spinal cord injury. Any damage to the spinal cord or to the nerves at the end of the spinal cord can cause a person to lose strength and function below the site of the injury. 

Common symptoms of a spinal cord injury may include loss of movement, inability to feel the difference between hot and cold, loss of bladder control, and exaggerated reflexes or muscle spasms. 

Lower Extremity Injuries

Lower limb injuries are common in bus passengers who are in an accident. In a study that examined 284 participants who were injured in bus accidents over a 10-year period, 26% of passengers experienced lower extremity injuries.

Internal Bleeding

Any type of motor vehicle accident can cause victims to have internal bleeding, which often takes place in the chest or abdomen. Internal bleeding is caused by damage to blood vessels. Symptoms may include intense pain, tenderness, swelling, altered mental state, and vomiting.

Internal bleeding can lead to multiple system organ failure, coma, and even death. Seek medical attention immediately if you or someone else is showing these symptoms.

Bone Fractures

A bus passenger who falls or is crushed during a collision may have multiple bone fractures. A fracture may involve a partial or complete break in the bone. Anyone who experiences a bone fracture may lose functionality, which may be accompanied by swelling or bruising at the location of impact. 

Any of these injuries can be detrimental to your quality of life. A Waukegan, IL, passenger injury lawyer will be able to assist you in recovering damages.

A Waukegan, IL, Injury Lawyer Persevering for You

The physical and financial strain of a bus accident cannot be overstated. If you were a passenger in a bus accident, you need legal guidance you can trust. Contact Salvi & Maher, LLP today to schedule your free consultation with a Lake County, IL, injury lawyer. You do not pay unless we recover a settlement or verdict in your favor.