[12-13-2022] Fresno County, CA – Several People Injured in Bus and Vehicle Collision along Highway 33

Several people were injured and hospitalized following a collision between a vehicle and a school bus in Fresno County on Tuesday afternoon, December 13, 2022.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred shortly before 2:37 p.m. along Highway 33 at Panoche Road, south of Mendota.

53-year-old Juan A. from Firebaugh was traveling south on Highway 33 on a 1999 Thomas School Bus at a speed of 60 mph with 20 students and three staff members.

21-year-old Trever B. from Clovis was heading west on Panoche Road on a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta with one passenger.

The bus’s right side crashed with the car’s passenger side. It was not apparent whether the car driver completely stopped at the intersection or he didn’t give the bus the right-of-way.

The Volkswagen driver and passenger were transported to a hospital in Fresno after sustaining major injuries. Several bus passengers also sustained minor wounds and were brought to nearby hospitals by their parents.

The CHP reports that neither alcohol nor drugs seem to have contributed to the crash as the investigation continues.

Bus Accident Statistics

In 2017, 232 persons were killed in bus accidents, as reported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Comparatively, 2016 saw 234 fatalities as a result of bus accidents. Hence this year saw a 1% decrease.

Between 2007 and 2017, 13% of all bus accidents leading to death in the United States involved intercity buses. Roughly 50 percent of the cars were used to carry children to and from school, while the other 50 percent were driven by workers on their way to and from the office.

Accidents involving intercity buses in the United States claimed the lives of at least 13 individuals in 2017. This was the year that bus safety records were set at the FMCSA.

The National Safety Council (NSC) conducted a study and determined that 117 persons died in school bus accidents in 2018. About 277 people were killed and 3,939 were injured in California.

According to the data, there were 277 fatalities and 3,939 injuries associated with bus and truck accidents in California in 2016.

Bus Accident Lawyers in Fresno County

Contact a lawyer right once following a bus accident in California. The insurance company for the bus business and its sympathizers may try to persuade you into taking significantly less money than you actually deserve.

Unfortunately, it might be more difficult to determine who is at fault in a bus collision than in a conventional automobile accident. Your losses may have been caused by more than simply the driver.

If you want the best possible outcome for your claim, our attorneys will go over the steps you can take (and the traps you should avoid) during your consultation.

Our trusted bus accident lawyers in Fresno County have the recognition and vast experience advocating for accident victims. Our clients have been awarded compensation totaling $500 million.

Contact (888) 488-1391 or click the “Do I Have a Case?” on our website to schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers.