NJ Transit Bus Erupts in Flames

Transit accidents in New Jersey show no signs of slowing down. In one of the most recent incidents, an NJ Transit bus erupted into flames, threatening dozens of passengers and casting doubt upon the transit system’s ability to keep people safe. If you were harmed in a recent NJ transit accident, you might want to speak with an experienced bus accident lawyer for further guidance. These transit organizations are responsible for keeping you safe, and they may face legal consequences for failing to do so.

Tire Blowout Causes Bus Fire in Secaucus

ABC News reports that the October bus fire was caused by a tire blowout. The bus was on its way to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, but never reached its destination. Instead, the bus erupted into flames on the New Jersey Turnpike, causing a shocking scene on the highway. Fortunately, all 49 passengers were able to evacuate the vehicle before it was completely consumed by fire. The driver also managed to escape, and everyone was picked up by a different bus that later arrived on the scene.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames relatively quickly, but authorities shut down that section of the Turnpike while the bus smoldered in ruins. New Jersey State Police are investigating the incident, which is certainly not the first bus accident that the Garden State has seen in recent months.

What Caused the Tire Blowout?

While the accident might have been caused by a tire blowout, this is only a partial explanation. The real question is obvious: What caused the tire blowout? Although a tire blowout might seem like a “freak accident,” it is preventable in many cases. Tire blowouts are often caused by underinflation. Perhaps the bus service did not properly inflate the tires, potentially due to inadequate or infrequent maintenance.

Old, worn-out tires are also more prone to blowouts. Did NJ Transit replace the tires on this bus recently? Or were they beyond their life expectancy? To be fair, this may have nothing to do with NJ Transit as an organization. The bus driver may have been operating the vehicle in a reckless, unsafe manner that made tire blowouts more likely. Perhaps the driver struck something that caused the blowout, such as a curb or barrier. High speeds may also make tire blowouts more likely.

The tire itself may have been defective. Perhaps the manufacturer provided NJ Transit with defective tires that are prone to blowouts. These are all valid questions that the authorities should be asking during their investigation. An experienced auto accident lawyer may also look into these details to search for possible signs of negligence.

Fiery Bus Accidents Can Lead to Catastrophic Injuries

This fiery accident did not result in any injuries, but it could have been much worse. When a bus catches fire, the vehicle can be completely engulfed by flames in a matter of seconds, not minutes. Buses are often very crowded, especially during rush hour. After a bus catches fire, people may not have enough time to escape the vehicle before the flames become too intense. Smoke can make it even more challenging to find the exits, and inhaling these fumes may cause people to panic.

While it is possible to utilize emergency exits, the state of panic may be too great to read instructions, open windows, and escape. Some passengers might even be trapped inside the vehicle, especially if the bus has rolled over onto its side.

All of these factors can lead to catastrophic or fatal injuries for bus passengers. These include severe burns that leave people disfigured for the rest of their lives. A fiery bus accident could also prove fatal. Often, people die from smoke inhalation first in these incidents, before even suffering any burns.

The psychological trauma of surviving a fiery bus accident can also be difficult to heal from, even after burns and other physical injuries heal. When dealing with these challenges, a personal injury lawsuit represents one of the few potential pathways toward closure.

Can a New Jersey Transit Accident Lawyer Help Me?

A New Jersey transit accident lawyer may be able to help if you are recovering from injuries after a bus crash. The recent incident in New Jersey shows that these bus accidents can potentially lead to serious fire-related injuries. These include disfiguring burns, smoke inhalation, and death. If your family member passed away due to a bus accident in New Jersey, you have every right to explore your legal options on behalf of your deceased relative. Learn more about your options by contacting Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C.