by Michael Pines

It’s just conventional wisdom: wet roads and speeding simply do not mix. When adverse weather hits, responsible driving at an appropriate speed is an absolute must since the risk for car accidents can increase significantly in wet weather. And the stakes become even higher when vehicles that carry multiple passengers – such as buses or taxis – are involved.

In a case out of New York, a casino bus accident injured 24 people Wednesday, causing the second largest bus accident of its kind in the state, second only to a similar collision that killed 15 people a year earlier just two miles up the same road. Authorities say the accident was caused by driving too fast in wet conditions.

The bus accident occurred on an early morning route from Foxwoods Casino to Queens, New York. As a result of alleged speeding and in combination with the area’s wet roads, the bus lost control and struck a center median barrier on I-95 near New Rochelle. The vehicle careened through three lanes of traffic before it crashed to its stop. The driver of the bus was ejected from the vehicle incurring the most serious of injuries from all the group and all 24 passengers were sent to the hospital following the accident.

The bus company, Star Tag Inc., is not a stranger to unsafe driving according to reports. The organization had received four citations for unsafe driving within the last two years. The news source also reported that the bus company received two additional maintenance violations in addition to the unsafe driving citations. And in May, officials clocked one of its motor coaches traveling at least 15 miles over the speed limit.

A vacation does not have to end badly – and in the unlikely event that it does, our personal injury attorneys in San Diego recommend being prepared no matter where your travels may take you. Here’s how.

Touring safely: the benefits of travel insurance

In the face of potential risks, San Diegans can aim to protect themselves while vacationing by considering travel insurance. The risk for personal injury can happen to anyone – and nobody wants to face unwanted repercussions such as medical bills, lost wages, and far worse, permanent injury, disfigurement, or even wrongful death.

Of course, travel insurance can provide financial protection against the costs involved with unwanted cancellations. But one of the main benefits of travel insurance is the coverage it provides should an accident occur. For instance, a bus accident such as the one reported can cost an injured person tens of thousands of dollars from medical bills and lost wages. Travel insurance can reimburse an injured person for costly expenses that can arise from accidents. Often, other ancillary losses like pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment can also be financially recovered with travel insurance should a serious injury occur.

There are five types of travel insurance available for purchase:

• Medical and/or injury insurance
• Cancellation insurance
• Delay insurance
• Supplier default insurance

Many vacation travel insurances cover a combination of some or all these offerings. To purchase travel insurance, simply call a travel agency or find a reputable company online.

Injured while on vacation

If you have been injured on vacation and suspect it may be the cause of negligence of a person or business, you may be entitled to legal rights and financial compensation. Call a personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Michael Pines at 1-800-655-6585 for a free consultation of your case. We serve national clients and we welcome free telephone consultations if you are located outside of the greater San Diego area. Call us today – we may be able to help.

About Michael Pines

Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.

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