Buses are commonly used by individuals throughout the nation to get from one place to another. One group of individuals who favor this mode of transportation is athletic teams. Tour busses can transport entire teams as well as their equipment efficiently as they travel to the location of their game, match or meet. Unfortunately, as is the case with all other motor vehicles, it is possible that they can be involved in crashes.

Sadly, a bus accident that occurred earlier this month in Pennsylvania resulted in a couple of deaths. The bus involved in the crash was transporting a Seton Hill University's women's lacrosse team. In addition to the deaths, other occupants of the bus were injured and had to be taken to hospitals located throughout the area for treatment. The victims who died include the man who was driving the bus, as well as the 30-year-old coach of the lacrosse team. The woman was pregnant and the fetus died as well.

It is not clear what caused the bus accident though it appears that no other vehicles were involved in the crash. In situations such as this one, other factors will be looked at in the course of the investigation including the behavior of the driver and the condition of the bus.

In some accidents like this one the actions of the driver are the cause of the accident. Previous bus accidents occurring throughout the nation have been due to a driver falling asleep behind the wheel or experiencing a medical emergency. In other situations drivers have been intoxicated.

The condition of the bus will likely be investigated as well. Though regular maintenance is a part of running a bus company, problems with the vehicle still can occur. If there was an equipment failure of some kind, it is possible that it could have led the driver to lose control of the large vehicle.

Regardless of what is uncovered in the course of the investigation, it is highly likely that civil lawsuits will be filed. Several of the team members were seriously hurt in the incident and could seek monetary compensation for their injuries. Family members of the bus driver as well as the deceased coach's husband could file a wrongful death lawsuit as well. If the latter case were to be successful, any damages awarded could be used to help cover the costs of raising the child she already had, and leaves behind.

Source: KDKA, "2 Killed, Several Injured After Bus Crashes On Turnpike," March 16, 2013

• We handle personal injury cases including those related wrongful death. If you would like to learn more about our practice, please visit our Pittsburgh wrongful death page.