Ten Injured in Fresno Bus Accident
Ten people were injured in a bus accident near Fresno on March 24, 2019. The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 in the morning along the southbound lanes of Highway 99 near the Highway 180 interchange. The driver of a Greyhound bus reportedly lost control and collided with a guardrail. Of the 35 passengers on board, 10 complained of pain, and one was hospitalized for their injuries. An update regarding the conditions of those injured has not yet been released by authorities.
Bus Accident Investigation
A preliminary report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) suggested that the bus driver, a 28-year-old Los Angeles man, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. Upon investigation, CHP said his license was withdrawn or suspended four days before the collision. It was unclear why his Class A license was revoked or suspended for a crash that happened in New Mexico or why the driver continued to drive for Greyhound.
The bus driver has recently been charged with a misdemeanor count of driving on a revoked or suspended license and felony DUI. If convicted, he could face up to six years in jail, according to the Fresno District Attorney’s Office.
Liability in Common Carrier Crashes
Under California Civil Code 2168, common carriers owe a higher duty of care than that of other transportation methods. These include carriers that transport people from one place to another for a fee such as taxis, trains, and buses. When a driver breaches that duty, the company that owns the bus may be held financially responsible for negligence in the operation of the bus leading to a car wreck.
Liability may be the result of a vehicle code violation or motorist negligence. A bus driver owes passengers a duty of care for waiting until they take their seats before taking off. Doors must remain open while a passenger is leaving or boarding the vehicle. Buses may have safety features including those that prevent doors from accidentally closing. In such cases, a bus company may be liable for damages incurred from the lack of bus maintenance.
Statute of Limitations for a Bus Accident
The statute of limitations for a personal injury due to a motor vehicle accident is two years from the date of the incident in California. If the vehicle involved in the crash was owned by the state or municipality, the time limit to file a claim is different. The deadline is six months or 180 days. If the claim is denied in writing, the injured person must file a lawsuit within six months from the date of the rejection letter. If the claim or lawsuit is not filed within this time, it is likely the case will be dismissed by the court. Hiring an injury lawyer may be necessary in these cases to ensure that all deadlines and criteria are met for a claim. To learn what to look for in an attorney, watch the following video.
Benefits of Hiring a Fresno Personal Injury Attorney
Overcoming a serious bus accident can be difficult, especially when mounting medical bills and wage loss are involved. An experienced personal injury lawyer in Fresno can help in these situations by obtaining a fair recovery to compensate an injured person and their family for their damages. This includes reimbursement of past and future medical expenses, past and future lost wages that would have been earned had the crash not occurred, loss of consortium for a spouse or domestic partner, disfigurement, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Fresno Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno personal injury lawyer. A bus accident can result in serious injuries and financial hardship for those involved. If the collision was caused by the fault of a negligent driver or entity, you may be able to seek compensation for your damages. If this has happened to you or a loved one, please call me at (559) 377-7676 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 to receive my free, friendly case advice.
I have membership in the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and the Million Dollar Advocates. The first organization invites lawyers to join for their dedication to legal excellence in their practice. Membership is only granted to the top one percent of attorneys nationwide. The second group is for those trial attorneys who have won $1 million or more for a client through a verdict or settlement.
See how our law firm has resolved prior cases on our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Photograph Source: By “StockSnap” via Pixabay
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