Two Suffered Major Injuries in School Bus Accident in Fresno County
Two people were hospitalized after suffering significant injuries in a collision with a school bus on the afternoon of December 14, 2022. The accident occurred shortly after 2:30 pm on Highway 33 and Panoche Road, south of Mendota.
Details of the Collison on Highway 33
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said a school bus carrying 20 students and three staff members was traveling south on Highway 33 while a 21-year-old Clovis man and his passenger were heading west on Panoche Road. According to a CHP preliminary accident report, it is unknown if the Clovis man failed to yield the right of way or came to a complete stop at the intersection before pulling into the path of the oncoming bus. Investigators said the school bus driver could not avoid an impact and collided with the car’s passenger side. The driver and the passenger sustained severe injuries and were flown to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Police said several children on the bus suffered minor injuries and were taken to local medical centers by their parents. The CHP reported that drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in the crash.
Injury Accidents in Fresno County and California
While some motor vehicle accidents are a product of fate, many results from poor decisions and reckless behavior such as speeding, driving under the influence, and distracted driving. The California Office of Traffic Safety reported over 4,300 injuries and fatal crashes in Fresno County in 2019. Statewide, nearly 148,000 traffic accidents were reported in California in 2020, according to estimates from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS).
Most Common Factors of Traffic Accidents
Some of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents include the following:
- Driving over the speed limit
- Distracted Driving
- Failing to obey traffic signals and signs
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Making an improper turn
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
How a Lawyer Can Help Your Accident Case
When a car accident involves serious injuries, most insurance companies often dispute liability to avoid paying fair compensation for damages incurred. Assistance from an experienced personal injury law firm is usually needed to obtain a fair recovery.
Because it is difficult to determine the long-term effect of an injury, it is necessary to investigate the accident thoroughly to understand the cost of economic and non-economic damages. Our accident lawyers can help alleviate stress by working diligently to recover the monetary compensation you need and deserve.
Watch the YouTube video below to learn how to select the best personal injury attorney for your accident case.
Fresno Personal Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno personal injury lawyer. We are dedicated to helping you recover what you are entitled to. Whether through a settlement or a lawsuit in court, our legal team uses our skills, expertise, and resources to obtain full and fair compensation. If you have suffered severe injuries in an auto collision, call our experienced accident attorneys at (559) 377-7676 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.
We are members of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
See a list of our past cases on our verdicts and settlements page.
Photo by Jonnica Hill on Unsplash
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