Standing passengers on buses face serious injury risks when drivers brake suddenly or make hard stops. Bus companies owe passengers a heightened duty of care, and injuries from sudden movements may support negligence claims against drivers and transit authorities.
Why Sudden Stop Injuries Are Common
Buses present unique hazards for standing passengers:
Limited seating: During peak hours, many passengers must stand, holding handrails or straps for support.
High passenger loads: Crowded conditions make it difficult to maintain balance and reach handholds.
Height and weight: Buses' size creates significant momentum that transfers to passengers during sudden deceleration.
Mixed ages and abilities: Elderly passengers, disabled individuals, and children are particularly vulnerable to falls.
Common Sudden Stop Injuries
Passengers thrown off balance by hard braking frequently suffer:
Hip fractures: Falls onto hard floors cause serious hip injuries, particularly in elderly passengers.
Head injuries: Striking poles, seats, windows, or floors can cause concussions or traumatic brain injuries.
Wrist and arm fractures: Instinctively bracing against falls leads to broken bones.
Back and spinal injuries: Impact forces and awkward falls damage the spine.
Shoulder injuries: Rotator cuff tears and dislocations from grabbing handrails.
Knee injuries: Twisting falls damage ligaments and cartilage.
Proving Driver Negligence
Not every sudden stop creates liability—emergencies require hard braking. To prove negligence, you must show:
The stop was unnecessary: The driver braked harder than the situation required.
Failure to anticipate hazards: A careful driver would have seen the danger earlier and braked gradually.
Distraction or inattention: The driver wasn't watching the road and reacted late.
Following too closely: Insufficient following distance required emergency braking.
Excessive speed: Traveling too fast for conditions necessitated hard stops.
Evidence Supporting Your Claim
Build your case with:
Witness statements: Other passengers can describe the stop's severity and driver conduct.
Bus video footage: Most buses have interior cameras showing what happened.
Event data recorders: Buses may have devices recording speed, braking, and other data.
Driver history: Prior complaints or incidents involving hard braking.
Medical records: Documentation linking injuries to the fall.
Common Carrier Liability
Buses are common carriers—transportation providers serving the public. Common carriers owe passengers the highest degree of care, meaning they must take extra precautions to ensure passenger safety. This elevated standard makes it easier to prove negligence than in ordinary car accident cases.
Filing Your Claim
Report the incident to the bus driver and transit authority, seek immediate medical attention, gather contact information from witnesses, and consult with an attorney experienced in bus accident claims. If the bus is operated by a government entity, strict notice deadlines apply.