Bus and Recreational Vehicle Accident Reconstruction and Litigation

Until now, attorneys, accident reconstructionists, and insurance professionals have not had access to a source book of information that would allow them to build and reconstruct an accident involving a school bus, motor coach or recreational vehicle. This book fills that gap.

Although accidents involving buses are rare, they can be deadly. Accidents make up the leading cause of claims against transit agencies. Similarly, bus operator negligence is often the cause of these accidents and preventable. How can transit agencies and insurance companies protect themselves against claims and large jury awards? You will learn about the hallmarks of an effective risk management program. Which passengers and types of buses and recreational vehicles are most at risk for being involved in a serious accident? How can a transit company accurately trend and forecast future losses? All this information and more is provided in the many tables and examples located throughout this book.

Because buses are built similar to trucks, bus-automobile accidents are often dramatically serious for automobile occupants. Do these occupants have a claim? When litigating a claim against a transit company, there are many issues to detangle. Was the driver properly trained? How was the driver trained? Did the bus company perform drug and alcohol tests, driver records checks, background checks, or routine safety evaluations on the driver? How was maintenance and repair of the vehicle handled? Were the occupants' behaviors or medical conditions a factor in the accident? Can perception-reaction time be accurately determined? Do you have enough evidence for a claim? With this book, you will know what type of information has yet to be explored--such as the National Safety Councils records on all types of bus accidents called FARS.

Bus and Recreational Vehicle Accident Reconstruction and Litigation will help you to recognize, develop, and ultimately to prove or defend liabillity. It blends the talents of the legal, engineering, mechanical, and investigation disciplines.

Dr. Roy Scott Hickman is an internationally acclaimed mechanical engineer. He is professor emeritus from University of California at Santa Barbara where he taught fluid mechanics, design and dynamics for thirty years. During his forty-year career he has been a consultant in over 2,500 accident cases. He is a member of ABYC, ASME, NSPE, and a fellow in the National Academy of Forensic Engineers.