Brandeis University Student Vanessa Mark Died, 27 Students Injured In Waltham Shuttle Bus Accident Along South Street
WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS (November 21, 2022) – A Brandeis University student identified as Vanessa Mark died and many more students were injured in a Waltham shuttle bus accident.
Middlesex County officials are saying that the accident took place around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday. Vanessa Mark was one of many students inside of a Brandeis University shuttle bus returning home from a hockey game at Northeastern University.
For unknown reasons, the shuttle bus veered off of the roadway and hit several trees. Photos of the accident site showed the bus with major damage on its left side.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of the victims. It was estimated that 27 people were injured in the crash.
Sadly, Vanessa Mark died as a result of her injuries. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Waltham Shuttle Bus Accidents
Buses are among the safest forms of transportation for passengers. But accidents still happen and can leave bus passengers seriously injured. According to The Journalist’s Resource, “about 63,000 buses [of all kinds] are involved in an accident each year; about 14,000 result in an injured person, and 325 result in a fatal injury. About 50 passengers (including the driver) are killed, on average, in a given year.” There are a number of factors that could potentially contribute to a bus accident.
- Driver fatigue
- Inclement weather
- Distracted driving
- Poor road conditions
Fatigue, in particular, is one of the most common causes of bus accidents. Bus drivers have difficult jobs and are often asked to transport passengers late into the evening when they might otherwise be asleep. According to the Centers for Disease Control, staying awake for only 18 hours reduces a person’s ability to drive safely equal to driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.
Bus companies are considered “common carriers” in Massachusetts and owe their passengers a high degree of care. They must do everything that human care, vigilance and foresight reasonably can do to avoid collisions and harm to their passengers. To this end, bus drivers must get specialized training and be well rested before the start of their shift. There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any bus driver that leaves the roadway and collides with fixed objects like trees or poles.
Depending on the facts of any case, the company, university or employer that a bus driver worked for could be held at fault for collision. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful death of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a bus driver may have been transporting passengers when they were involved in a crash. There are a number of steps that should be taken after a bus accident.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- The bus driver’s logbook should be reviewed.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
Any person that is injured due to the negligence of a bus driver may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. The family of any person that is killed in a bus accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help with many of the expenses that often come with the sudden loss of a loved one. However, it is common for bus operators to try and shift the blame for any accident. This is why it so important that all evidence is properly preserved and protected after a collision.
Investigating A Waltham Shuttle Bus Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Vanessa Mark. It is our sincere hope that all the other victims will be able to make a full recovery. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. This was a preventable tragedy that should not have taken place. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of all of the victims and their families.
Do you need more information about a Waltham shuttle bus accident? Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into a collision, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
