Rollover Accident Involving School Bus in Stockton
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported a rollover accident involving a school bus on Interstate 5 in the Stockton area on the morning of Tuesday, April 20, 2021. The school bus accident occurred along northbound I-5 near Eight Mile Road at approximately 9:00 a.m.
The details surrounding what caused the incident to happen has not yet been determined by officials. However, the vehicle allegedly flipped over the guardrail and into the center divider before coming to a rest on its side.
A preliminary CHP traffic accident report indicated that no children were on board the Lincoln Unified School District bus at the time of the rollover. However, the driver reportedly suffered minor injuries in the incident. Crews from Caltrans were called to the scene to repair the damaged guardrail. Further details on the rollover accident were not immediately available as an investigation is ongoing.
Rollover Accidents and Roof Crush Resistance
A rollover accident involving a school bus may result in devastating consequences for all involved parties. This is particularly true in cases involving rollover protection. The purpose of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 220 is to reduce the severity of injuries and number of deaths that result from the body structure of school buses failing to withstand forces in rollovers.
When a school bus fails to meet this performance requirement for rollover protection, the manufacturer may be held liable for damages resulting from a rollover. Conversely, a manufacturer may also be held accountable for losses occurring from faulty vehicle parts and equipment. For more details, reach out to an experienced Stockton personal injury lawyer today.
Is There a Time Limit on Personal Injury Cases in California?
Under California law, most personal injury cases are subject to a two-year statute of limitations. This means a lawsuit must be filed in civil court within two years of the incident date. However, such cases may be subject to a different filing deadline if a government entity is involved.
For instance, when bringing a claim against a school district, a notice of claim must be filed within 180 days of the accident. Failing to file within the deadline may result in the case being dismissed by the court. For this reason, it is essential to work with an attorney who is experienced in handling personal injury cases against government agencies. For information on how to find the best lawyer to handle your case, watch the video below.
Importance of Working with an Attorney After a Stockton School Bus Accident
Not every personal injury case is straightforward. For instance, one or more parties may be held accountable for the incident. If a school bus driver drove recklessly by texting on a cell phone or speeding, they may be considered negligent and responsible for personal injury damages incurred. In situations where the school board failed to conduct a proper screening of the driver and provide sufficient training, the entity may also be held liable for the subsequent collision.
When you or your child was injured in a traffic collision involving a school bus, the last thing you should be stressing about is dealing with difficult insurance companies, collecting evidence, and building your own case. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our law firm to schedule a free consultation with one of our Stockton personal injury attorneys about your potential case. We are proud to serve clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not owe us any attorney fees unless we recover fair compensation on your behalf.
Personal Injury Lawyer in Stockton
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton personal injury lawyer. School bus drivers have a higher duty of care when it comes to protecting and transporting students. However, not all do, and serious crashes may occur. If you or a loved one was injured in a motor vehicle accident involving a school bus, contact our law firm today to schedule a free case evaluation at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400. Our injury attorneys may review your personal injury case and provide free, friendly advice on how to move forward.
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Image Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/school-bus-school-bus-transport-4406479/
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