Driver Charged After School Bus Crash in Riverbank
A driver was charged with a misdemeanor of driving without a license after a school bus crash in the Riverbank area on the morning of Thursday, September 30, 2021. The traffic collision occurred around 8:00 a.m. at the intersection of Santa Fe Street and Central Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Details on the Driver Facing Charges After the Riverbank School Bus Crash
A 22-year-old Modesto woman was driving a Ford F-350 pickup truck southbound on Central Avenue when she allegedly failed to come to a stop at a posted stop sign at the intersection. The pickup truck reportedly broadsided a school bus headed eastbound on Santa Fe Street.
A CHP traffic spokesman indicated that there were 25 young children on board the Riverbank Unified School District bus at the time of the incident. Officials reported that a 6-year-old boy suffered a bump to the head but did not sustain serious injuries. Parents of all students on board the school bus were notified, and the children were monitored throughout the day.
Authorities revealed that the Ford driver was cited on a misdemeanor charge of driving without a driver’s license. She may also be charged with running a posted stop sign. Additional information on the bus accident was not immediately available.
What Parents Should Know About School Bus Accidents and Personal injury Claims
The most common forms of transportation used by young children on a daily basis are school buses. Operators of these vehicles, like other public transportation drivers, have a duty of care to safely transport students to and from school. Conversely, other motorists on the road have an obligation to drive safely around school buses and watch out for crossing arms intended to warn drivers of children crossing the road. When a party fails to uphold their duty of care owed to passengers on board a school bus, they may be held liable for resulting injuries and damages.
California’s personal injury laws are designed to assist parties hurt in motor vehicle collisions seek damages from at-fault parties. These may come in two types, economic and non-economic, and may include medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Punitive damages may also be awarded in cases where egregious conduct is involved, such as excessive speeding or drunk driving. Keep in mind that the personal injury claims process may not always be straightforward as difficult insurance companies may be involved. For additional information on the claims process and the various factors involved, watch this video.
What is the Filing Deadline for a Personal Injury Lawsuit in California?
Under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, a two-year statute of limitations generally applies to personal injury matters arising from motor vehicle accidents. This means that an injured party has two years from the date of an auto accident to file in civil court if a settlement is not accepted from the insurer within that time frame.
There are exceptions to the two-year statute of limitations that may apply to personal injury matters in California. For instance, if the injured party was a minor on the date of the incident, the filing time frame may be tolled or extended until they turn 18-years-old. From the date of the claimant’s 18th birthday, they will have two years to file suit.
If the incident involved a government vehicle, a notice of claim must be filed within six months of the accident date, as stated in the California Government Code Section 911.2. Because of the many filing deadlines and criteria that apply to such cases, it is essential to retain legal counsel right away.
Personal Injury Attorney in Riverbank
I’m Ed Smith, a Riverbank personal injury attorney. Every parent’s worst nightmare is their child getting injured in a motor vehicle accident. In the tragic event that this occurs, parents may retain legal counsel to represent their child and to seek fair compensation on their behalf. No matter the case, an injury lawyer may help a family with their claim, bring the case to a successful conclusion, and obtain the justice the injured child rightfully deserves. For details on how an accident attorney can help your family, contact us today to arrange a meeting with a member of our team and receive free, friendly case advice at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.
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