School Bus Crash Traps One Person in Vehicle
A school bus crash involving three other vehicles happened in the Sacramento Florin area on January 24. The accident occurred at around 8:30 a.m. at Power Inn Road and Elsie Avenue. The accident initially occurred when a school bus and one of the cars collided head-on. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that the other vehicles involved were a Nissan Sentra, Ford Escape and a Hyundai Tucson. Emergency personnel with the Sacramento Fire Department arrived at the scene responding to possible injuries and one party trapped inside a vehicle. A tow truck was needed to remove at least one of the cars. The CHP is in charge of an investigation into the accident to determine its cause.
Being Involved in a School Bus Crash
The average size school bus in California weighs between 23,500 and 29,500 pounds. This means that if a smaller vehicle is involved in a collision with one, it can cause serious injuries. Those injuries can leave the individual who was harmed with high medical bills, lost wages, and other costs. The person who was injured may file for fair compensation depending on the accident and its cause. In a collision with a bus, the following might be held accountable:
- School bus driver if that individual is found at fault
- Maintenance company if the accident was caused by lack of or faulty repairs
- Owner of the bus if the vehicle was not properly maintained or the driver was negligent
- Parts manufacturer if the accident was caused by defective parts
- Manufacturer if the design or manufacture of the school bus was improper
Help Obtaining Fair Compensation
An injury lawyer skilled in handling bus accidents and car collisions can help determine fault in an accident with a school bus. Some school buses are owned by private companies, while others are owned by the school district in which they operate. Since multiple entities can be involved, using the services of an experienced lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. In this way, you may be compensated for lost wages, pain and suffering and medical expenses that the accident has caused.
Injury and Death Statistics in a School Bus Crash
The highest death and injury rate is to occupants of vehicles involved in a school bus crash. In 2017, there were 95 deaths related to accidents involving a school bus. Seventy of the deceased were occupants of other vehicles involved in the crash. Ten were pedestrians, eight school bus drivers died, and four were passengers on the bus. Injuries in school bus crashes totaled 18,000. Eleven thousand were passengers in other vehicles. Five thousand were passengers in the school bus, and 1,000 school bus drivers were hurt.
Specific Injuries in a School Bus Crash
Certain injuries are common in school bus accidents. Some are listed below:
- Traumatic brain injury: A collision with a much larger vehicle can cause severe head and brain injuries. Bus passengers may experience these injuries also, especially if the school bus lacks seat restraints.
- Broken bones: Broken bones are common in traffic accidents. In a collision with a large vehicle, those injuries may be amplified.
- Bruises and lacerations: Since school bus passengers frequently do not have the advantage of using a seat belt, passengers are thrown around the vehicle if there is a crash. This can lead to both lacerations and bruises.
- Cervical strain: This is a common injury in school bus crashes. It can cause serious pain and persists for up to a year in some cases.
- Spinal cord injuries: Injuries to the spinal cord can cause a multitude of health problems. This includes partial or complete paralysis.
Sacramento Auto Accident Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento auto accident attorney. Whether you are in an accident with a school bus or other vehicle, you can claim compensation if they were at fault. Please contact me for free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400. From elsewhere in Northern California, you can reach me at (800) 404-5400 or by using my “contact us” form at my website, AutoAccident.com.
By looking over client reviews and prior cases a law firm has handled, it can help someone who needs legal advice decide who to call. You can find this information about my law firm at the following links:
I’ve been in practice since 1982, helping Sacramento residents and Northern Californians to obtain fair compensation in many types of car crashes, traumas such as brain injuries and wrongful deaths.
As a member of the Million Dollar Advocates, I join others who have obtained more than $1 million for a client. I also belong to the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, which was established to recognize lawyers who hold high legal standards.
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