Tour buses play an important role for groups of people in Pittsburgh, and beyond, who are interesting in travelling from one location to another usually at an economical price. In addition, some tourists find the mode of transportation appealing because it allows passengers to take in passing scenery and make desired stops along the way. Unfortunately, as is the case with any type of motor vehicle, tour buses can be involved in accidents that result in serious injuries-even death.

Sadly, approximately 40 passengers on a bus traveling from Las Vegas to Vancouver learned firsthand how catastrophic bus accidents can be. The bus was travelling along a portion of I-80 in Oregon when the driver of the vehicle apparently lost control when it hit an icy patch on the road. As a result of that loss of control the bus went over a guardrail and tumbled approximately 100 feet below.

After the accident, at least 26 occupants of the bus were taken to an area hospital for treatment. Sadly, another 9 died as a result of their injuries.

When someone boards a tour bus that person assumes that the driver of the bus will do all that is necessary to keep all on board safe. When this fails to be the case it is not uncommon for those who are impacted either by an injury or the loss of a loved one, to seek compensation via a civil lawsuit. When successful, personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits provide financial damages that make it somewhat easier to deal with the aftermath of such an accident.

Source: USA Today, "9 killed in tour bus crash along Oregon highway," Associated Press, Dec. 31, 2012