Like any accident with a large vehicle, a bus accident can cause life-threatening damage. Because they are more common, most people are familiar with semi-truck or big rig crashes, but rarely think about what might happen if they collide with a bus. Unfortunately, a bus accident can be just as tragic as a wreck with an 18-wheeler.
This is especially true for the buses that lack basic safety measures — like seatbelts. As a result, distracted driving, improper bus maintenance, and road hazards continue to put passengers and pedestrians at risk. Over 60,000 times a year, this risk ends in injury or fatality.
If you have been injured in a San Bernardino bus accident or are the family member of a victim who was killed in a crash, call us at 866-999-9085.
Premier Truck Accident Lawyers’ exceptional legal, results-oriented team provides noteworthy advocacy and legal counsel. We have decades of experience achieving results for the people of California.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the government entity responsible for improving the safety of commercial vehicles. FMCSA defines a bus accident as one involving a vehicle that has at least a nine-passenger capacity. General transit buses, coaches, school buses, airport transits, and private party buses all fall into this category.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, the state is second (only to New York) in the number of bus crashes that happen each year.
San Bernardino bus accident lawyers say safety regulations need to be strengthened, especially after tragedies like the Feb. 3, 2013, tour bus crash that killed eight victims on California Highway 38 in Yucaipa. In the bus’ collision with a pickup truck, 11 others were seriously injured, and 22 suffered minor to moderate injuries. Yet, nearly a decade later, little has changed.
Regulatory agencies have not increased operating standards, and operators these mass transportation vehicles still commit safety violations.
The bus involved in the Yucaipa crash mentioned above had been previously cited four times over two years. However, it was still allowed to operate even though the brake systems were worn, cracked, and below the legal minimum standards. Reports suggest that both the driver and the company knew the bus’s breaks were out, but continued without addressing maintenance problems.
Who was at fault? The driver? The tour bus company? And is compensation possible? These questions would require further investigation or a case evaluation initiated by the victims.
There are many causes of bus accidents, including:
If you have been a victim in a bus accident, the cause of the crash must be determined. You must also be able to prove that you were not the cause of the accident, especially if you were operating another vehicle involved in the accident. This can be directly linked to what you do right after an accident occurs.
Here are some of the things that the best San Bernardino bus accident attorneys suggest you do directly following a bus accident:
Anyone involved in a bus accident in San Bernardino or elsewhere in California should consider requesting a free case evaluation from Premier Truck Accident Lawyers. You can do so by calling toll-free 866-999-9085 or by filling out the form on our site.
The founder of Premier Truck Accident Lawyers, Steven Peck, ESQ, has made it his mission to advocate for injured victims and help them collect on their personal injury cases. When you choose Premier Truck Accident Lawyers, you are choosing a team with a combined track record of more than five decades of success.
This is one of the most common questions San Bernardino personal injury lawyers receive from clients who have been involved in a traumatic accident. Determining and proving who is at fault is the job of an attorney. This happens through investigating reports, finding evidence that proves liability, and interviewing and negotiating with other parties.
Yes. You can still sue if a government agency owns the bus. However, the process is different and more difficult when suing a government entity. In the State of California, you only have 180 days to file a tort claim notice against a public agency. This is why you’ll need to hire an experienced lawyer who knows how to operate these types of cases properly.
If you or anyone you know was injured in a bus accident here in the state of California, contact us today at Premier Truck Accident Lawyers for a free case evaluation. You can also reach us directly at 866-999-9085. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys will work hard to ensure that you receive justice for your San Bernardino bus accident case.
Premier Truck Accident Lawyers stays up to date and in touch with the legal community through various memberships and affiliations.
