When the Megabus left Philadelphia’s bus station Friday night, passengers were looking forward to an entertaining weekend in Toronto. The fun ended early Saturday morning when the double-decker Philadelphia bus crashed into a railroad bridge near Syracuse, New York. Four passengers, including two from the Philadelphia area, were killed when the 13-foot high bus drove under a 10-foot, 9-inch CSX railroad bridge, demolishing the forward section of the upper deck of the bus. Among those killed in the bus accident were Temple University sophomore Kevin Coffey of Kansas and 18-year-old high school student Deanna Armstrong of Voorhees, New Jersey. The bus driver and several passengers, including a Philadelphia man and two other Pennsylvania residents were transported to local hospitals suffering from severe personal injuries.
Police are investigating the bus accident. It is unclear why the bus driver took a wrong turn off the exit ramp, putting the bus on a collision course with the low-head railroad bridge. Police noted that the bridge is well-marked with numerous warning signs and flashing yellow lights. A Megabus spokesman said the company has launched its own investigation into the fatal bus accident. They are attempting to ascertain why the driver, who had driven the Philadelphia-Toronto route numerous times, drove off course.
Bus accident personal injury claims are more complex to litigate than car accidents because many more variables and multiple defendants are usually involved, including the bus company, bus manufacturer, bus driver’s license and competence, the municipality where the accident occurred, state or county agencies responsible for roadway maintenance, and others. On behalf of their clients, Philadelphia personal injury attorneys thoroughly investigate each and every party and circumstance that might have contributed to an accident in order to determine who is responsible for its cause. In the Megabus accident, Philadelphia personal injury lawyers would also investigate railroad bridge markings and signage to determine whether railroad negligence might have contributed to the bus accident. Contact us today.