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. 

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.

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.

Contact Our Portland Bus Accident Lawyer
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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.

Bus Crash Statistics 1999 - 2018

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:

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.

Fatal Bus Stats by State 2012 - 2018

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:

  1. Give buses extra space for wide turns.
  2. Never pass a school bus when its stop arm is extended.
  3. Be alert near bus stops and crosswalks.
  4. 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.

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.

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This page has been written, edited, and fact-checked by our team of legal writers in accordance with our editorial guidelines. It has been approved by partners Jane Paulson and John Coletti—respected trial attorneys with decades of experience representing personal injury victims.