[09-06-2022] Fresno County, CA – 47-Year-Old Disabled Woman Left Inside a Hot Bus in the Fresno Area

47-year-old Charmain T. was left inside a hot bus in the Fresno area on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.

The disabled woman was inside the bus for two hours when someone passed by and heard her screams.

Tyler’s family demanded accountability through policies implemented after learning that their loved one was left inside the bus during the valley’s extreme heatwave.

On September 8, the family received a bouquet from EOC with no note and a stuffed Teddy bear for Charmaine. According to the family, the gesture was not enough.

In response to the accident, the EOC issued the following statement on September 14:

“Every day, Fresno EOC’s work benefits residents throughout Fresno County. Whether it is providing food services, training, education, or transportation, we are committed to providing a safe, comfortable, and inclusive environment to the community. We are aware of a recent inquiry concerning our program and are working to diligently investigate and appropriately address this matter.”

The family demanded that EOC issue a genuine apology and that change be implemented through action or responsibility.

“I don’t understand how a driver with a rearview mirror doesn’t see somebody on the bus,” said Green. “It’s not like she was in a chair slumped over. She was in a wheelchair strapped in.”

The family is confused about how the bus driver did not check the bus for anyone who might have been left behind in this situation.

Tyler’s family said they had noticed changes in their loved one’s behavior more than a week since the accident.

According to Green, Tyler hasn’t eaten lunch since then. Even at home, she refused to eat. She has awoken in the middle of the night. She may appear in good health, but she cannot express her dissatisfaction verbally. Something was changed.

The family considered taking legal action in this case.

Bus Accident Statistics

Bus driver negligence is when a bus driver fails to operate their vehicle safely and prudently, resulting in an accident. Negligent bus drivers may be distracted, fatigued, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In some cases, they may be driving recklessly or speeding. Whatever the cause, when a bus driver’s negligence leads to an accident, passengers can be seriously injured. Based on 2019 bus accident statistics, 2,734 fatal accidents reported in 2019 consisted of trucks and buses, resulting in 3,087 deaths and 60,818 injuries.

Several steps can be taken to prevent bus driver negligence and make sure that passengers are safe. First and foremost, only qualified and experienced drivers should be behind the wheel of a bus. Drivers should also be properly trained in how to operate their vehicles safely.

Regular background checkups should be conducted to ensure drivers do not have any alcohol or drug abuse issues. And finally, there should be strict policies regarding cell phone use and other driving distractions.

No one deserves to be injured because of a bus driver’s negligence. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a bus accident, contact a personal injury lawyer today to discuss your legal options. An experienced attorney will fight for the compensation you deserve and help hold negligent bus drivers accountable for their actions.

Fresno County Bus Accident Lawyers

Being involved in a bus accident can be a harrowing experience. If you or a loved one has been involved in a bus accident, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. The good news is that you don’t have to go through this difficult time alone. Arash Law is here to help. We are a premier personal injury law firm in Fresno County with a team of experienced bus accident lawyers who are ready to fight for you.

The first step in finding the right bus accident attorney is understanding the different types of cases our firm handles. We represent clients who have been injured in all kinds of bus accidents, including but not limited to:

• Passenger injuries
• School bus accidents
• Charter bus accidents
• Tour bus accidents
• City bus accidents 
• Commercial bus accidents

Once you have identified your case type, the next step is to contact our firm and schedule a free consultation. During your consultation, one of our experienced attorneys will review the facts of your case and help you understand your legal options. We will also answer any questions about the legal process and what you can expect moving forward. Call (888) 488-1391 or fill out our online intake form to schedule your free consultation.