bus crash lawyer in Northern California

Personal Injury and Bus Accidents in California

January 23, 2019 | Gregory J. Brod

On January 18, KSBY-TV reported on a bus crash near Los Alamos off of Highway 101. The driver and six passengers were taken to the hospital for minor injuries. Later that day, the driver was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Luckily, no one was seriously hurt in the incident, but it does raise the question as to who is liable in a bus accident.

Bus Accidents in the U.S.

Depending on your perspective, you may think of buses as inherently safe or inherently dangerous. The federal Department of Transportation puts out an annual report each year regarding crashes involving buses. The last report available is for 2016 and produced some eye-opening statistics:

What to do When You are Injured in a Bus Accident in California

November 2, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

With over 4,000 large truck and bus accidents resulting in fatalities in the United States in 2016, it is clear that accidents can happen even on vehicles we typically deem to be safe. Whether you are traveling on a local bus, like a Muni bus, or a long haul bus, like a Greyhound, it is not always possible to avoid accidents and injuries. If you have been injured in a bus accident, make sure you know who is responsible and what your remedies are. Call an experienced personal injury attorney in your area to talk through your case and learn about your options moving forward.

Types of Buses in California

For most San Francisco natives, Muni and Greyhound are the two main types of buses used to get around. However, there are a variety of buses in the Bay Area that cater to other audiences, like tourists. Tour buses and school buses are just as prone to accidents as Muni or Greyhound buses and can be held liable in case of an accident that results in injury to its passengers.

California Transit Bus Causes Fatal Accident

February 16, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

In early February, an Alameda-Contra Costa (AC) Transit bus collided with a vehicle before striking a home in Berkeley. The bus, traveling west on Ashby Avenue, struck a red sedan driving south on California street. Both vehicles then careened into another parked vehicle and nearby home. The driver of the red sedan was killed in the crash. The bus driver and one passenger on the bus were not harmed. It is unclear what caused the accident and the Berkeley Police are investigating.

Why Bus Accidents Happen

Bus accidents are like any other type of car crash; they occur for many of the same reasons. One of the most common causes is bus driver error. Despite specific training, a bus driver can be careless or reckless behind the wheel, leading them to make dangerous mistakes. They could speed, tailgate, change lanes inappropriate, and make other reckless maneuvers. Drivers could be distracted by passengers on the bus, their cell phones, or a host of other things. Worse yet, a driver could work while impaired due to drugs or alcohol.

Bus Driver Faces Criminal and Civil Consequences After Deadly Accident

August 4, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

Following a deadly charter bus accident in August 2016, Merced County district attorneys have brought multiple charges against the driver, Mario David Vasquez. A law enforcement investigation uncovered Vasquez was overly tired, talking on his cell phone, and violating multiple commercial regulations at the time of the crash, which led to four fatalities. Due to the evidence of Vasquez’s negligent actions while behind the wheel, he has been charged with four counts of vehicular manslaughter and five misdemeanor traffic violations.

While Vasquez faces criminal charges, he and his employer, Auto Buses Coordinados USA, could also face civil wrongful death suits based on his actions. If the families of those lost in the charter bus crash can prove the driver’s negligence, they may be able to obtain compensation for their losses.

California’s Wrongful Death Law

Google Charter Bus Struck and Killed Woman in Saratoga

January 6, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

A Google charter bus traveling in Saratoga struck and killed a woman last week. The woman was walking to a bus stop when the bus reportedly turned the corner and hit her. The accident occurred at the corner of Fruitvale Avenue and Athletics Way on the campus of West Valley College in Saratoga. The bus is owned by Storer Coachways and is used to transport employees to and from the parking lots at the community college.

Weather Conditions May Have Played a Role

An investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing. However, initial reports indicate that there were strong winds and heavy rain at the time of the accident, which happened at 5:15 PM on January 3, 2017. The woman was taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead. The bus company issues a statement of condolence to the woman’s family. It is not known whether the woman was in the crosswalk at the time of the accident.

Northern California Bus Accident Lawyer Looks at Tour Bus Accidents

August 3, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Tour buses can be a great way to travel. Longer distance buses are often an affordable option that can save riders the stress of driving and the cost of gas, not to mention the environmental (and traffic!) benefits of taking cars off the road. In-town tour buses are also a great option, allowing visitors to get an overview of a city and a sense of the places they might want to visit later. Sadly, we have seen far too many tour bus accidents in recent years. Our Northern California tour bus accident law firm is committed to helping victims obtain compensation and holding companies accountable in the hopes of preventing future tragedies.

Tour Bus Accident Kills Five in San Joaquin Valley

CBS SF reports that a tour bus crash in the San Joaquin Valley claimed five lives on Tuesday. The crash occurred around 3:20 A.M. on Highway 99 North near Livingston, approximately 15 miles northwest of Merced. California Highway Patrol representatives told CBS that the tour bus collided with a pole which tore through the center of the vehicle. The bus was travelling to Sacramento from Southern California. Authorities believe at least 30 people were on board at the time of the accident. The driver of the bus reportedly suffered major injuries. As of the time of this writing, it is unclear how many passengers were injured but CHP reports at least five individuals were airlifted to area hospitals. The cause of the accident has not yet been determined.