From Minor to Severe: Understanding Different Types of Bus Accident Injuries

Summary

Get to know the different types of injuries that can be sustained in a bus accident. Learn how you can get fair compensation for injuries and losses.

Bus accidents account for an alarming number of serious injuries and fatalities each year in the United States.

While bus travel has much lower death rates than personal light-duty motor vehicles, the numbers are still staggering:

• 31,161 highway crashes involving buses were recorded in 2020.
• School bus accidents claimed the lives of 108 people nationwide in 2021.
• In 2019, 5,237 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes, a 2-percent increase from 2018.
• In 10 years, from 2010 to 2020, intercity buses accounted for 11 percent, and school bus crashes and transit buses accounted for 38 percent and 35 percent, respectively, of all buses involved in fatal crashes.
• In 2020, 46 school buses, 9 intercity buses, and 86 transit buses were involved in fatal crashes.

The impact of these accidents varies widely, from minor scrapes and bruises to severe, life-altering injuries or even wrongful death.

As we delve further into this topic, we’ll explore the various types of injuries that can occur in bus accidents—from minor to severe—and the common causes of these incidents.

Minor Injuries

Minor injuries may seem insignificant compared to their severe counterparts, but they can still cause significant pain, discomfort, and inconvenience.

a. Bruises and Abrasions

Bruises, also known as contusions, are a type of tissue damage where venules and capillaries are damaged by trauma. They often manifest as discolored patches on the skin.

Abrasions, on the other hand, are superficial injuries that occur on the skin, disrupting tissue continuity.

Bus passengers get bruises and abrasions when thrown against hard surfaces or sharp objects within the bus during sudden stops or collisions.

b. Sprains and Strains

Sprains occur when ligaments, the fibrous bands of tissue that connect bones, stretch or tear. Strains refer to tears or overstretching of muscles or tendons, the cords of tissue connecting muscles to bones.

Sprains and strains are soft tissue injuries that passengers sustain with sudden twists or falls during bus accidents.

c. Whiplash

Whiplash is a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth neck movement, like the cracking of a whip. It typically happens during rear-end car accidents but also due to sudden stops or collisions.

Moderate Injuries

In addition to minor injuries, bus accidents can also result in more moderate ones that require immediate medical attention and treatment.

Note: For more information on the implications and treatment of these injuries, we recommend that you consult with healthcare professionals.

If you’ve been involved in a bus accident, please seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Some injuries may not be apparent immediately but manifest after a few days, even weeks. They can have serious long-term implications if left untreated.

a. Fractures

A fracture is a partial or complete break in the bone, often due to falls, trauma, or a direct blow to the body.

• Closed (simple) fracture: The broken bone has not pierced the skin. This fracture is common in bus accidents when passengers fall or get thrown against hard surfaces.
• Open (compound) fracture: The broken bone pierces the skin, which can lead to potential complications such as infection.
• Transverse, spiral, and oblique fractures: Referring to the orientation of the fracture line, these fractures may require surgery for proper healing. Transverse fractures go straight across the bone. Spiral fractures are twisted. Oblique fractures have an angled pattern.

b. Lacerations

Lacerations are deep cuts that occur when the skin is torn. Depending on their depth and location, they can range from minor to severe injuries.

In bus accidents, these injuries are caused by broken glass or sharp metal edges. They can lead to complications such as infections or scarring if not treated properly.

c. Concussions

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or a violent shaking of the head and body.

Signs of a concussion can include headaches, confusion, dizziness, and memory problems.

Long-term risks of concussions can include cognitive impairment, emotional instability, and other neurological disorders.

Bus accidents can cause passengers to have concussions during sudden stops or collisions.

Severe and Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries often require extensive and ongoing medical treatment and may cause permanent disabilities—even death.

The following are some of the most severe and catastrophic injuries in bus accidents.

a. Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are often the result of a severe blow to the spine and can lead to partial or complete paralysis. The impact largely depends on the spinal cord sections and level of spinal cord injury: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral.

• Cervical (C1-C7): Injuries at this level can result in tetraplegia (also known as quadriplegia), affecting the arms, hands, trunk, legs, and pelvic organs.
• Thoracic (T1-T12): These injuries usually affect the trunk and legs.
• Lumbar (L1-L5) and Sacral (S1-S5): Injuries here primarily affect the hips and legs.

b. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are caused by a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. They can range from mild (a brief change in mental status or consciousness) to severe (an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury).

Severe TBI can result in long-term complications or death.

c. Burns and Scarring

In a bus collision, there’s a risk of fires. Burn injuries can vary from first-degree (superficial burns that damage only the outer layer of skin) to third-degree (the most severe type, damaging all skin layers and underlying tissues).

Burn injuries can cause significant scarring and lead to physical and emotional trauma.

d. Amputations

In severe bus accidents, victims may suffer injuries so extensive that they result in the loss of a limb. Either this happens at the scene due to the traumatic injury itself or later in a medical setting as a necessary procedure to save the victim’s life.

The challenges following an amputation include physical rehabilitation, adjustment to life with a prosthesis, and significant lifestyle changes.

Emotional and Psychological Injuries

In addition to physical injuries, bus accidents can have long-lasting emotional and psychological effects on victims. These injuries may not be as apparent as physical ones but can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.

a. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition stemming from witnessing or experiencing a horrifying, traumatic event. PTSD is also diagnosed among patients who narrowly escape death in accidents.

In bus accidents, PTSD can develop in survivors, witnesses, or even first responders. PTSD manifests in flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

b. Anxiety and Depression

Following a bus accident, survivors may also experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. Anxiety symptoms can include excessive worry, fear, feelings of impending doom, insomnia, and nausea.

Depression might manifest as persistent sadness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, and difficulty concentrating.

Importance of Seeking Medical Attention

After being involved in a bus accident, seeking medical attention as soon as possible is crucial, regardless of whether you feel injured.

There are two primary reasons for this: the potential for latent injuries and the influence on recovery and legal claims.

The Potential for Latent Injuries

Many injuries, such as whiplash, internal bleeding, or concussions, may not manifest immediately. Known as latent injuries, they can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated promptly.

Even if you feel fine immediately following an accident, get checked by a healthcare professional to rule out latent injuries.

Influence on Recovery and Legal Claims

Prompt medical treatment after a bus accident can significantly impact the recovery process and any potential legal claims. Immediate medical care can ensure that injuries are properly diagnosed and treated, expediting recovery.

Seeking immediate medical attention can also strengthen subsequent personal injury claims.

Medical records provide crucial evidence of the injuries sustained and their connection to the accident. This documentation can be vital when seeking compensation and talking to insurance companies for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from the accident.

If You Were Injured in a Bus Accident, Frantz Law Group’s Personal Injury Attorneys Are Here to Support You

Bus accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, including physical, emotional, and psychological. Seeking medical attention immediately after an accident is crucial to rule out latent injuries and strengthen potential legal claims.

If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a bus accident, know that you’re not alone.

At Frantz Law Group, our experienced personal injury attorneys understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll of bus accidents and are here to support you every step of the way.

Our bus accident attorneys offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. Our law firm only gets paid if we win your case.

From understanding your injuries to securing the compensation you deserve, our expert team is ready to stand by your side. Reach out to us today for a detailed consultation.