[08-15-2022] Tulare County, CA – Multiple Passengers Injured in Bus Crash in Visalia

Multiple people were reportedly injured following a bus accident in Visalia on Monday afternoon, August 15, 2022.

The crash occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Court Street near Murray Avenue.

According to Visalia police, a female ransacked the bus before crashing into cars and a fence.

Police claim that Annette R., 56, started hitting a male passenger and took his phone.

The bus driver then stopped to let passengers off and try to apprehend the suspect.

Rocha allegedly sat in the driver’s seat at that point and started the vehicle while passengers were still inside.

At least three cars were struck by the bus, and the passengers suffered only minor injuries.

It finally came to a stop after slamming into a fence.

Authorities say Rocha then armed herself with a small pipe, but officers convinced her to surrender.

She is currently being processed for booking into jail after being accused of robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, and hit-and-run.

Bus Accident Statistics

In the same way that commercial transportation business is governed by various FMCSA and California laws, so too are buses. Buses fall under the category of “common carriers” because they are frequently used as hired transportation.

Professional drivers operating as common carriers in California are required by law to exercise greater caution on the road.

People relying on public transportation are in danger because bus companies and drivers routinely disregard traffic laws.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that 232 people lost their lives in bus accidents last year. There were 234 fatalities in bus accidents in 2016, so this was 1% lower.

A recent study found that between 2007 and 2017, intercity buses were responsible for 13% of all fatal bus accidents in the United States. Approximately 40% were used as school transportation, while 35% served as public transit.

Thirteen people were killed in accidents involving intercity buses in the United States in 2017. There were fewer bus accidents last year than at any time since the FMCSA began keeping records.

A recent National Safety Council (NSC) report found that 117 people lost their lives in school bus accidents in 2018. However, about 277 people lost their lives, and 3,939 were injured in California.

It was determined from the data that 2,77 people were killed and 3,939 were injured due to bus and truck accidents in California.

Human error is the leading cause of bus crashes. Accidents can occur when bus drivers are careless or don’t follow protocol. Accidents on the road can also be caused by other forms of carelessness, such as failing to keep buses in good working order or providing inadequate training for drivers.

Tulare County Bus Accident Lawyers

Getting in touch with a lawyer specializing in bus accidents as soon as possible after an accident is crucial. The bus company’s insurers and other allies may pressure you into accepting far less compensation than you deserve.

Bus accidents are notoriously more complicated than car accidents when it comes to assigning blame. Many people or organizations besides the driver could be responsible for your losses, and they might even be partially to blame.

Our Tulare County bus accident lawyers at Arash Law will investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident to establish liability.

During your free initial consultation, our lawyers will go over the actions you should take (and the pitfalls you should avoid) to maximize the likelihood of a favorable resolution to your claim.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a bus accident in California, don’t hesitate to call Arash Law. We want to assist you in asserting your rights as an injured victim. Call us at (888) 488-1391 or fill out our online intake form to speak with our legal team.