Bus Accident Statistics in the United States [2025]

When people ask about Bus Accident Statistics in the United States, the answer reveals encouraging and troubling trends. While buses remain one of the safest ways to travel, their sheer size means that when collisions occur, they often cause devastating harm to other motorists, pedestrians, and passengers.

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At Paulson Coletti, we’ve seen how these statistics affect Portland families, reminding us that every number reflects real people facing life-changing consequences.

In the United States, buses are relied upon to transport large groups of people and carry our children to and from school. Annually, as many as 700 million people travel by bus. Passengers, other motorists, and their families have a reasonable expectation that they will safely arrive at their destinations.

Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.

While collisions involving buses make up only a small portion of the total fatal accidents each year, the results are usually tragic. In fact, the NTSB has found that, per vehicle, buses and other commercial motor vehicles are more likely to be involved in fatal crashes than passenger vehicles.

In 2018, a drunk school bus driver collided with a dump truck, killing a 10-year-old student and a teacher in Carrollton, Texas.
On February 22, 2020 a charter bus carrying 21 people overturned in San Diego, CA, leaving three dead and another eighteen injured.

Even when passengers are kept safe, poor sightlines from the vehicle and negligent bus drivers can put pedestrians, cyclists, and passenger vehicle occupants at risk. In fact, historically, only 13 percent of those killed in bus accidents are occupants.

When, where, and how often do buses crash?

At Paulson Coletti, our Portland Bus Accident Lawyer represented families who have lost loved ones in bus collisions, and we have seen the devastation that a deadly bus accident can bring. As a service to those affected by or interested in bus safety, we’ve compiled the most comprehensive list of bus accident statistics and information available online.

How Often Do Buses Crash?

Buses are involved in more than 65,000 crashes nationwide each year. These incidents range from minor fender benders to catastrophic accidents that involve multiple vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) tracks these events, showing that collisions are most common in densely populated areas where transit and school buses share the road with heavy traffic.

In Oregon, accidents often involve TriMet buses navigating Portland’s busiest intersections or school buses traveling through neighborhoods. These numbers show that while bus travel is generally safe, large vehicles require extra caution and awareness from drivers sharing the road.

From 2000 to 2018, fatal bus crashes have declined by 29 percent, while injury crashes have risen by 15 percent. In 2000, there were 323 fatal bus crashes, compared to 230 fatal bus crashes in 2018. However, in the case of injury crashes, the numbers rose from 13,000 in 2000 to 15,000 in 2018. Bus safety is regulated at the state and federal levels, and school buses are known to be some of the most regulated vehicles on the road. That may contribute to the decline in fatal bus crashes.

Year	Fatal Bus Crashes	Injury Crashes	Property Damage Only
1998	288	13,000	40,000
1999	313	14,000	48,000
2000	323	13,000	42,000
2001	289	11,000	42,000
2002	274	13,000	45,000
2003	288	14,000	44,000
2004	276	13,000	39,000
2005	278	12,000	38,000
2006	303	11,000	41,000
2007	280	11,000	45,000
2008	251	11,000	48,000
2009	221	9,000	47,000
2010	247	12,000	42,000
2011	243	13,000	43,000
2012	252	12,000	42,000
2013	282	18,000	48,000
2014	235	11,000	57,000
2015	259	14,000	53,000
2016	231	16,000	51,000
2017	231	15,000	51,000
2018	230	15,000	50,000
2019	231	N/A	N/A

How many people are killed or injured by buses each year?

Each year, more than 250 lives are lost and about 15,000 people are injured in bus accidents in the U.S. Many fatalities occur among occupants of other vehicles, motorcyclists, or pedestrians rather than passengers inside the bus. This makes sense given the weight and size disparity between buses and cars.

Bus crash victims often face long recoveries, high medical bills, and lasting trauma. To better understand who is most at risk, consider these groups:

School children, especially while boarding or exiting buses.
Commuters who rely on city buses in crowded urban centers.
Pedestrians and bicyclists who share intersections with transit routes.
Other motorists who are struck during highway collisions.

These patterns confirm why Bus Accident Statistics in the United States matter deeply to public safety and families navigating recovery after a crash.

Year	Fatalities	Injuries
1998	329	30,000
1999	373	36,000
2000	357	29,000
2001	331	25,000
2002	331	30,000
2003	337	31,000
2004	315	29,000
2005	340	23,000
2006	337	21,000
2007	325	24,000
2008	311	24,000
2009	254	20,000
2010	278	27,000
2011	284	24,000
2012	282	23,000
2013	320	38,000
2014	283	22,000
2015	297	24,000
2016	290	35,000
2017	276	25,000
2018	262	27,000
2019	258	N/A

[Interactive Map] Fatal Bus Accidents in the U.S.

Fatal bus crashes happen in nearly every state, though frequency varies widely. Interactive mapping of federal data highlights clusters in major metropolitan regions such as New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Miami. Heavier transit reliance in these areas means more exposure to potential accidents.

For Portland residents, TriMet buses operate across dozens of routes daily. Oregon may not top national charts, but even one fatal bus crash can devastate a community. These maps reinforce the reality that statistics represent real people, passengers, children, and drivers whose lives are forever impacted.

Fatal Bus Crashes by State

California, Texas, and Florida consistently report the highest number of fatal bus crashes. This is mainly due to larger populations, urban sprawl, and heavier use of public and charter buses.

Oregon’s figures are lower, but each case carries weight. One Portland school bus or motorcoach crash can cause multiple injuries, wrongful death claims, and complex litigation.. By understanding Bus Accident Statistics in the United States at the state level, policymakers and lawyers can better advocate for improved safety and stronger protections for victims.

California (150), Texas (145), and Florida (139) follow New York with the most fatal bus crashes and also have some of the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. In 2018, a truck driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a church bus in South Texas, killing the bus driver and 12 of the 13 passengers in the bus. The truck driver had been impaired by marijuana, combined with the misuse of prescription drugs used to treat seizures and panic disorders.

State	Fatal Bus Crashes	Deaths
New York	156	172
California	150	179
Texas	145	211
Florida	139	146
Pennsylvania	93	103
Georgia	69	75
Illinois	64	72
New Jersey	63	68
Maryland	49	49
North Carolina	45	51
Michigan	44	48
Ohio	42	45
South Carolina	38	46
Arizona	37	40
Tennessee	36	53
Wisconsin	34	38
Indiana	33	41
Missouri	33	36
Colorado	32	32
Virginia	32	34
Nevada	31	32
Washington	30	35
Massachusetts	29	30
Minnesota	24	29
Mississippi	24	34
Oklahoma	22	28
Kentucky	21	25
Connecticut	20	21
Alabama	19	21
Louisiana	18	24
Oregon	17	25
Utah	17	18
Delaware	14	17
Iowa	14	18
Hawaii	12	12
Arkansas	10	16
District Of Columbia	10	10
West Virginia	8	8
Montana	7	10
Maine	6	8
Nebraska	6	9
New Mexico	6	16
Alaska	4	5
Kansas	4	4
South Dakota	4	4
North Dakota	3	4
Rhode Island	3	3
Vermont	3	3
Idaho	2	2
Wyoming	2	4
New Hampshire	1	1

Which Bus Type is Involved in the Most Fatal Collisions?

School buses consistently cause the greatest number of fatal bus accidents nationwide. Though designed with reinforced safety features, their frequency of use, often carrying dozens of children daily, leads to higher exposure to risk.

Transit buses operating in city centers also account for a significant share of collisions. Data from FMCSA’s Cargo Body Type Report highlights that school buses rank highest in fatal crashes, followed closely by transit buses that navigate busy metro areas.

This distinction matters because the type of bus involved often shapes the nature of the injuries, the parties liable, and the damages sought in legal claims.

From 1975 through 2019, 4,702 school buses and 4,702 transit buses were involved in fatal crashes in the United States.

Year	School Bus	Motorcoach	Transit Bus	Van-Based Bus	Other Bus Type	Bus Type Unknown
1975	130	29	131	—	18	19
1976	123	30	130	—	13	23
1977	126	33	123	—	14	25
1978	143	54	143	—	14	18
1979	150	37	123	—	21	16
1980	117	38	150	—	14	11
1981	110	48	150	—	20	14
1982	104	37	106	—	31	11
1983	99	41	105	—	40	22
1984	119	48	103	—	33	17
1985	126	29	116	—	33	33
1986	101	33	99	—	29	24
1987	132	29	115	—	46	31
1988	105	31	103	—	30	18
1989	109	32	120	—	25	25
1990	112	27	114	—	19	17
1991	106	39	86	—	26	17
1992	98	36	113	—	21	17
1993	112	28	82	—	21	20
1994	106	23	105	—	12	12
1995	109	23	101	—	23	15
1996	124	35	115	—	32	20
1997	117	37	109	—	15	19
1998	112	38	115	—	16	8
1999	139	38	106	—	19	17
2000	120	40	128	—	20	17
2001	119	38	104	—	16	15
2002	95	35	100	—	26	18
2003	113	26	104	—	30	18
2004	111	35	85	—	26	22
2005	111	38	83	—	34	14
2006	118	33	105	—	22	27
2007	109	35	113	—	16	8
2008	116	20	92	—	12	11
2009	89	38	77	—	9	8
2010	116	36	84	—	11	4
2011	98	41	68	25	10	3
2012	102	34	78	30	7	2
2013	114	44	82	28	10	4
2014	91	32	79	9	21	4
2015	99	34	93	14	18	5
2016	88	17	98	6	19	6
2017	73	13	97	31	16	4
2018	85	15	85	26	20	3
2019	89	5	84	–	46	8

Causes and General Bus Safety Tips

The leading causes of bus accidents include driver fatigue, distraction, mechanical issues, and unsafe road conditions. Weather plays a role as well; rain and ice in Oregon can increase risks for both school and public transit buses. Practical steps can help reduce accidents and injuries:

Give buses extra space for wide turns.
Never pass a school bus when its stop arm is extended.
Be alert near bus stops and crosswalks.
Teach children to wait until the driver signals safety before crossing the street.

These safety steps, better roads, and enforcement could significantly reduce serious bus crashes in Portland and nationwide.

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Contact Our Portland Bus Accident Lawyers Today

At Paulson Coletti, we know that Bus Accident Statistics in the United States represent real families facing medical bills, lost income, and lasting trauma. Our Portland trial lawyers have stood up to bus companies and insurers across Oregon, fighting for justice and full compensation.

Call us today at 503-226-6361 to speak with a Portland bus accident lawyer at Paulson Coletti. We’ll hold negligent parties accountable and protect your future.