Bus Collision With Minivan in South Sacramento
A collision between a bus and a minivan occurred on Wednesday, December 18, at the intersection of Florin Road and Franklin Boulevard in South Sacramento. The accident happened at 10:10 in the morning when the bus was traveling west on Florin Road. According to a representative of the Sacramento Police, the minivan was heading south on Franklin Boulevard when the collision occurred. One person was transported to a local hospital, however, at the time of this post, the nature of their injuries has not been revealed. The vehicles were stuck together after the collision, and the bike rack at the front of the bus was impaled on the driver’s side of the minivan. Traffic was blocked at the intersection as the vehicles were separated and moved from the accident site. An investigation is being conducted into the reason the collision happened and to determine fault.
Transit Bus Accidents
While city transit buses give residents the ability to travel from one location to another easily, sometimes riders are involved in a bus collision. Because of the number of passengers on board, the incidence of injuries is often greater than in passenger car crashes. Some reasons bus accidents happen are:
- Poor bus maintenance
- Distracted driving
- Alcohol or drug use by the bus driver
- Fatigued bus driver
- Roadway defect
- Unsafe motorist
- Defective bus equipment
- Excessive speed
Bus Collison Statistics
While bus accidents are a small part of the total number of traffic collisions, statistically, they are significant. In one study at the University of Michigan, it was reported that in 2010, there were 63,000 bus crashes, leading to 14,000 injuries and 300 deaths. Overall, city buses are more likely to be in an accident than other types. One of the major reasons the collisions happen is a distracted bus driver or other motorists. Texting by a bus driver is forbidden except in an emergency. Another reason is driver fatigue since both bus drivers and passenger vehicle operators often keep long hours.
How the Common Carrier Law Affects Bus Drivers
In California, a common carrier is defined as one that transports goods or people for a price under Civil Code Section 2168. Common carriers are required to provide the highest degree of diligence and care for the safety of their passengers. If the duty to provide such care is breached, the common carrier is considered to be negligent. Since transit buses are usually owned by state or municipal government agencies, filing a liability claim differs from that of an ordinary injury lawsuit. In accidents against the municipal agency, the deadline to file is shorter. An administrative claim must be filed with the agency within six months from the time of injury. After that, the agency has 45 days to respond. If the claim is accepted, the case will be heard. If it is rejected, the claimant has six months to file a lawsuit. Alternately, when the agency does not respond, the claimant or injured party has two years to file a lawsuit. Your personal injury lawyer will ensure that all claims are filed on time.
What an Attorney Can Do to Help
Whether you’re injured in a bus accident or another personal injury, it is necessary to prove negligence. To do this, our firm sends our team of investigators to the accident scene. We search for evidence and talk to witnesses to the accident as well as other bus passengers. Our investigators also obtain video footage from traffic surveillance and storefront security cameras. Since police reports are widely used in insurance negotiations and in civil court, we examine them for errors. Once all evidence is amassed, we turn it over to our attorneys, who use it to build a strong case for our clients.
South Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a South Sacramento car accident lawyer. If you have been involved in a bus accident, call me for free and friendly advice. I can be reached at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. You can also reach out to me online.
I’ve helped clients in South Sacramento and the Northern California area since 1982 to obtain the compensation they deserve. I work in personal injury accidents, including car crashes, brain injuries, and wrongful deaths, among others. Please visit my website AuttoAccidents.com to read more.
I am a proud member of the Million Dollar Advocates and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
You can learn more about my practice on the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/bus-transportation-streets-roads-2618756/
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