Tour Bus Crash
A bus crash is almost like a Semi Truck Crash, Train Crash, or any other large vehicle crash. Highly unpredictable and more than likely there will be multiple people with multiple injuries. There was a tour bus that crossed into oncoming traffic. In the process the bus hit two other cars head on. The crash killed on woman and ended up injuring twenty-six other people.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) this happened in the Southern California high desert. It’s unclear why the tour bus crossed into the westbound lanes of State Route 58 near Kramer, about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles, CHP Officer Brian Benson said.
There was no remarkable weather in the area at the time of the collision, he said. The woman killed was 55 years old and was in one of the two cars the bus hit, Benson said.
Nine people suffered life-threatening injuries in Monday afternoon’s crash, and 17 others were taken to hospitals with injuries that weren’t considered to be life-threatening, said Eric Sherwin, a San Bernardino County Fire spokesman.
Benson said the bus, owned by Arcadia, California-based A&F Tours Inc., seats about 30 passengers. The company didn’t respond to a message seeking comment. The company’s vehicles have been inspected 22 times in the last two years, and a vehicle was taken out of service during one of the inspections, according to U.S. Department of Transportation records.
The company did not report any crashes in the last two years, the records showed. Duane DeBruyne, a spokesman for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, said the agency would assist in a post-crash assessment, including an examination of both the vehicle and the bus company’s safety record. Video footage at the scene posted online shows debris strewn all over the side of the highway as firefighters worked to remove the victims from the cars.
The footage also shows firefighters placing a woman in a neck brace and carrying another on a stretcher, a woman comforting a puppy, and a man holding a child. The front end of the bus was badly damaged. The highway was closed in both directions.
Pickup Truck Crashes with Bus
A pickup truck vs a minibus isn’t an ideal collision. The driver of the pickup truck apologized after the crash. He admitted to driving and texting. The crash’s end result was thirteen people died. Jody Kuchler, a witness, told the press that he was driving behind the pickup truck and had noticed that the truck was moving erratically just before the crash. The wreck happened on a two lane road just 75 miles west of San Antonio. Jody told the press that the truck had crossed the center line several times as he was following behind the truck. Kuchler said that he had called the sheriff’s office and reported it as he continued to follow the truck. He even told them that they “needed to get him off the road before he hit somebody”. Kuchler witnessed the crash. He of course checked on both the bus, and truck driver. He was able to speak with the truck driver who was identified by the Texas Department of Public Safety as twenty year old, Jack Dillion Young.
Texting Bus Crash
Sgt. Conrad Hein who is the Department of Public Safety, declined to comment on the crash. He would not say if texting was the actual cause of the crash. However, officials did say that the truck had crossed the center line several of times. Young had to be hospitalized after the crash. According to the authorities there were at least twelve people dead after the crash. Another passenger later died at a San Antonio hospital. According to the First Baptist Church of New Braunfels said that it’s members were actually returning from a three day retreat at the Alto Frio Baptist Encampment in Leakey. This was just nine miles from the scene of the crash. The police are unsure if the bus passengers were wearing seat-belts or not. They aren’t quite sure if the minibus even had suitable restraints. The wreck happened along a curve in the road, where the speed limit is 65 mph.
Daniel Gibalevich – Bus Accident Attorney Los Angeles
If you or someone you love is the victim of a bus-related accident, you may be entitled to legal recourse to recover compensation for health or financial damages. Due to lessened safety measures compared to other motor vehicles, it is not uncommon for injuries sustained during significant bus-related accidents to be extreme. Life after a serious accident can be physically and emotionally challenging and navigating the legal process to obtain compensation can be frustrating.
Understanding the Process
The window of time available to take legal action following a bus-related accident is minimal, especially with the convoluted process of filing claims against government and commercially owned bus lines. It essential that your personal injury attorney is experienced with the filing process specific to bus-related accidents within the state of California.
Determining Liability
Whether you are the victim of a bus-related accident resulting from negligence on the part of the bus operator or a driver of another motor vehicle, product or manufacturer liability, malicious intent or wrongful death you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries and damages. In developing a bus-related personal injury lawsuit, it is important to clearly determine liable participants and the exact cause of the accident.
Common Bus-Related Injuries
Although generally one of the safest transportation options, riders of public transit buses, private bus lines and school buses are occasionally the victims of bus-related accidents with injuries that may include:
- Broken Bones
- Lacerations, Contusions and Abrasions
- Bone Dislocation
- Amputation
- Cosmetic Disfigurement
- Neck and Spinal Injuries
- Traumatic Head Injuries
- Whiplash
- Death
Recovering Compensation for a Bus-Related Accident
In situations where Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance does not sufficiently cover damages, you may be entitled to full or partial compensation beyond your coverage limitations. At the DAG Law Firm, our expert personal injury attorneys will support you in bringing appropriate legal action against an insurance agency or defendant. Whether you are dealing with an uncooperative commercial or government-owned bus company or an insurance company seeking to limit your total payout for damages, we are committed to obtaining maximum compensation on your behalf. It is important to fully understant your legal situation and our attorneys will guide you in determining whether your bus-related accident is the result of negligence, manufacturer liability, wrongful death or malicious intent. As a victim of a bus-related accident, you may have legal recourse to recover compensation for the following:
- Payment for current and ongoing medical expenses
- Payment for emotional and psychological distress
- Payment for loss of wages and income earning ability
- Payment for pain and suffering
Speak to an Attorney about a Bus-Related Accident
Daniel A. Gibalevich DAG Law Firm
