Pedestrian accidents involving trucks and buses are among the most catastrophic on our roads due to the sheer size and weight of these commercial vehicles. When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle weighing 10,000 to 80,000 pounds, the resulting injuries are often life-altering or fatal, making these cases legally complex but potentially high-value.
Why Commercial Vehicle Pedestrian Accidents Are Particularly Dangerous
The physics of commercial vehicle collisions create devastating outcomes for pedestrians. Trucks and buses have significantly longer stopping distances—a fully loaded semi-truck traveling at 55 mph needs approximately 400 feet to stop, compared to 130-140 feet for passenger vehicles. The elevated front end of many commercial vehicles means pedestrians are often struck and pulled under the vehicle rather than pushed onto the hood.
Common commercial vehicles involved in pedestrian accidents include semi-trucks, delivery vans, city buses, school buses, garbage trucks, and construction vehicles. Each presents unique hazards related to blind spots, turning radiuses, and braking capabilities.
Multiple Liable Parties in Commercial Vehicle Cases
Unlike standard car accidents, commercial vehicle pedestrian cases often involve multiple potentially liable parties. This complexity can work in victims' favor by providing multiple sources of compensation:
The driver may be personally liable for negligent operation, including speeding, distracted driving, failure to check blind spots, or driving while fatigued. The trucking or transit company faces vicarious liability for employee actions and may be directly liable for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or pressure to meet unrealistic schedules.
Vehicle owners (if different from the operator), maintenance companies responsible for brake failures or other mechanical defects, and cargo loading companies whose improper loading caused instability may all share responsibility.
Federal Regulations and Compliance Issues
Commercial trucks are subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations that can strengthen pedestrian injury claims. Violations of hours-of-service rules, maintenance requirements, or driver qualification standards constitute negligence per se in many jurisdictions.
Key regulatory evidence includes driver logs, electronic logging device (ELD) data, inspection records, and drug/alcohol testing results. An attorney experienced in commercial vehicle cases will immediately request preservation of this evidence before it is destroyed or overwritten.
Bus Accident Specific Considerations
Public transit buses present additional legal considerations. Government entities operating municipal buses often enjoy sovereign immunity protections that limit liability and require strict notice requirements. In many states, claims against public transit must be filed within 6 months to 1 year—much shorter than standard personal injury statutes of limitations.
Private bus companies, charter services, and school buses fall under different regulatory frameworks but typically carry substantial insurance policies ranging from $1 million to $5 million or more.
Compensation in Commercial Vehicle Cases
The severity of injuries in truck and bus pedestrian accidents often results in significant settlements and verdicts. Commercial vehicles are required to carry much higher insurance minimums than personal vehicles—often $750,000 to $1 million or more for interstate trucking operations.
Damages typically include extensive medical expenses for trauma care, surgeries, and rehabilitation; long-term disability and lost earning capacity; pain and suffering commensurate with catastrophic injuries; and in fatal cases, wrongful death damages for surviving family members.
If you have been struck by a commercial truck or bus, contact an attorney immediately to preserve critical evidence and navigate the complex web of liability and regulations governing these cases.