Bus Crash

Buses are one of the many options that people have for mass transit both in California and across the United States that make it easier for people to go about their day-to-day work and personal lives; however, buses present dangers that, while not often occurring, can be incredibly devastating in the event of a crash.

Consider the unique features of a bus that separate it from most other vehicles on the road. Each of these presents its own dangers that can result in severe injuries in the event of an accident.

• Lack of seat belts – As buses do not have seat belts, passengers are not restrained in their seats and can be thrown across a bus and into objects, such as steel poles, in the event of a crash.
• Tall frame – A bus has a very tall frame, with some, such as double-decker buses, reaching the height of a tractor trailer. As such buses may tip and rollover if hit in a certain way during a crash. Rollover accidents can result in much greater injuries than a normal accident.
• Large amount of weight – Buses are heavy vehicles, which can make them into deadly objects in the event of a crash. For pedestrians and other cars on the road, being hit by a bus can result in devastating and deadly injuries.
• Large number of passengers – Buses are meant to carry dozens of people at once in order to work well in mass transit. However, this also results in a greater number of people being subjected to a vehicle accident, increasing the likelihood that such a crash will end in injuries. When applied to a school bus accident, the likelihood of child injuries becomes even greater.

Bus accidents are less common than typical motor vehicle crashes, but when such an accident occurs, the results are often catastrophic. When such an accident is caused by the negligent actions of a bus driver, bus company, or another driver, those injured have the right to seek compensation for their injuries. The San Jose bus accident lawyers at Van Der Walde & Associates are dedicated to finding compensation for the injured clients they serve. To contact our offices for a consultation on your case, call (877) 862-6288.

In the United States, there are about 400,000 school buses that transport children to and from school every day. Currently, there are about 50 million children in private and public schools, and roughly half of these students use school bus transportation to get to school every day. The school transportation system in California is the largest mass transportation system in the state; about 25,000 school buses provide transportation for approximately three million students every day.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), since 1998, 1,564 people have died in traffic accidents that were school transportation-related. This is an average of about 142 fatalities every year. The NHTSA terms a school transportation-related collision as “a crash which involves, either directly or indirectly, a school bus body vehicle, or a non-school bus functioning as a school bus, transporting children to or from school or school-related activities.”

Seventy-two percent of the people who died in these accidents were occupants in other motor vehicles that were involved in the crash. Non-occupants, such as bicyclists and pedestrians, accounted for 20 percent of the fatalities in school bus accidents. Occupants in the school transportation vehicles accounted for about 8 percent of deaths in these accidents.

By California law, school bus drivers are given more training than any other type of driver in the state, and gain extensive education in regulations, current laws, and behind-the-wheel experience. Before someone receives a license to operate a school bus, a background check is done by the FBI and/or the Department of Justice. California school bus drivers are also required to possess a current Department of Transportation Medical Certificate as well as have a current First Aid Card. Additionally, school bus drivers are required to participate in an alcohol and drug test before employment as well as undergo random testing throughout their employment. They also must possess and maintain a clean driving record, both personally and professionally.

Unfortunately, school bus accidents in Sunnyvale and around the U.S. occur, regardless of school bus driver training. Oftentimes school districts overlook the requirements that are in place for school bus drivers and hire someone that doesn’t qualify. Like other motorists on the road, school bus drivers can also operate their vehicle recklessly, aggressively, or while fatigued or distracted; all of which can result in Sunnyvale bus crashes. Unfortunately, children are usually the ones that are injured or killed in school bus accidents.

If your child has been injured in a school bus accident in Sunnyvale, your family may be eligible for compensation if it is determined the bus driver or their employer was negligent. Consult with the Sunnyvale school bus accident attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates to learn about your legal options in pursuing a lawsuit against a negligent bus driver or school district. Call our law office today at 877-862-6288 to schedule your free consultation today.

A recent Greyhound bus crash in Fresno, California has left six people dead and several injured, according to a MSNBC news report. The bus was carrying 47 total passengers at the time of the crash, which occurred at 2:14AM PST. Two other vehicles were involved in the Central Valley bus accident, and it is still unclear whether or not the six fatality victims and others injured were all passengers on the bus, or motorists/passengers from one or both of the other two vehicles involved. Those injured were transported to Fresno Community Regional Medical Center for treatment. Although the number of individuals injured was not known at the time of this article’s release, KMPH-TV did report that a total of nine people were taken to the hospital, but this number has not been confirmed.

The Fresno Greyhound bus crash is still being investigated, but the California Highway Patrol did report that the bus driver attempted to avoid an overturned vehicle prior to losing control of the bus. As a consequence, the bus crashed into a concrete divider and hit one of the two other involved vehicles. Further details of the crash will undoubtedly reveal themselves in the coming days, as investigators attempt to determine whether or not any other factors played a contributing role in the California bus accident. If it is determined that negligence played a role in the collision, then the party or parties responsible for said negligence may be held liable for their actions in a court of law.

The Fresno bus accident attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates send their condolences to the victims and families affected by this tragic accident. For more information about bus accidents, please don’t hesitate to contact our Northern California personal injury attorneys today at 877-862-6288.

A bus accident in San Jose involving a bus and a small passenger vehicle ended with six people being sent to the hospital with minor injuries. According to a www.abclogal.go.com report, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority vehicle was traveling near the intersection of Senter Road and Phelan Avenue when it rear-ended the smaller vehicle. While no occupants inside the smaller vehicle were injured, six passengers on the bus were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

While the reason for the vehicle crash in San Jose is still being investigated, it may be reasonably assumed that driver inattention may have played a determining role in the incident. Unfortunately, reckless driving practices often result in San Jose traffic accidents, and those individuals involved in the accident are sometimes left with costly medical bills, lengthy recover times, and other detriments that negatively impact their quality of life. If it is determined that negligence of any kind played a role in the accident, then innocent accident victims do have a right to seek monetary damages from determined negligent parties. Furthermore, in cases involving public transportation, the city may also be held liable for damages resulting from the incident.

At Van Der Walde & Associates, our San Jose accident injury attorneys will examine the circumstances surrounding your accident and determine whether or not negligent action was at the root of your personal injury. If you have been involved in a San Jose bus accident, please contact the experienced bus accident attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates. Call 877-862-6288 today for more information and a free evaluation of your case.