John Bisnar a California car accident lawyerat Bisnar | Chase often represents victims who have been injured in large truck and bus accidents. Sometimes, truck drivers or bus drivers are responsible, but other times the fault lies with the drivers of the smaller passenger cars. We now find, based on a recent Government Accountability Office study, the unsettling reality of hundreds of trucking companies and bus companies that were previously ordered to shut down because of serious federal safety violations from suspended licenses to possible drug use, have continued to stay on the road by simply using different names. Also, some of these fraudulent companies have been responsible for catastrophic truck accidents and bus accidents in different parts of the country.

Tragic Bus Accident

The GAO report comes a year after an unlicensed charter bus carrying a Vietnamese-American Catholic group blew a retreaded tire installed on a steering axle and skidded off a Texas highway killing 17 people. The use of recapped tires on the steering wheels is a violation of federal safety regulations. The report found that at least 20 of the 220 commercial bus companies that had been fined and ordered to shut down evaded compliance by setting up shop under a new name.

That's exactly what the bus company in the Texas bus accident did. The investigation found offenders in nine states including California. Another 1,073 commercial trucking firms are also believed to have done the same thing – changing their name to avoid fines and violations, including failing to test drivers for illegal drugs and alcohol. More than 500 of these illicit bus and tractor-trailer companies were still operating as recently as last month.

Liability in Bus and Truck Accidents

This is completely unacceptable. These companies are blatantly ignoring the safety of other motorists and road users and making a mockery of the system. I think now, it is very likely the number of violators is even higher than what the government estimates. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which monitors these companies, has put in place new oversight measure including a computer program that matches new applicants to poor-performing motor carriers dating back to 2003.

If you have been involved in a car accident involving a commercial truck or a bus or if you were injured as a passenger, please remember that you have rights. These unethical companies must be held liable for their unscrupulous practices. If you are a victim, please contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free initial consultation to injury victims and their families.

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