[10-22-2022] San Luis Obispo County, CA – Ten People Burned on Bus in Hearst Castle

The CAL FIRE SLO responded after a bus had an antifreeze leak resulting in ten people getting burned in San Luis Obispo County on a Saturday afternoon, October 22, 2022.

The accident occurred at 2:38 p.m. at Hearst Castle.

According to the State Parks Department, the bus was carrying tourists to Hearst Castle for a guided tour.

First responders reportedly discovered a broken radiator line on the bus.

According to fire officials, ten people on the bus were injured and treated for minor burns.

According to Sean Lia, the supervising ranger at Hearst Castle in the California State Parks system, “Ranger staff evacuated the bus, and when additional resources arrived on the scene, we triaged and treated victims.”

The precise cause of the mechanical failure is currently being investigated.

Apparently, this is a first-of-its-kind occurrence at Hearst Castle, according to Lia. Operations were slightly delayed at the time of the incident.

Bus Accident Statistics

Different FMCSA and California laws apply to the business of commercial transportation, and buses are no different. Transport companies that transport passengers from one location to another are known as “common carriers” and include bus companies. Commercial drivers in California are required to exercise greater caution than the general public.

Bus operators and drivers often disregard traffic laws, increasing the risk of injury or death for those who rely on them.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 232 people were killed in bus accidents in 2017. This was 1% less than the 234 bus accidents that killed people in 2016.

Intercity buses were responsible for 13% of all fatal bus accidents in the United States between 2007 and 2017. Half of the vehicles were used for transporting students to and from school, while the other half carried commuters to and from work. As many as 13 people were killed on American intercity buses in accidents in 2017. Since the FMCSA began keeping records, this was the safest year for buses.

Researchers at the National Safety Council (NSC) found that 117 people lost their lives in school bus accidents in 2018. Around 277 people lost their lives and 3,939 were injured in California during this time.

The research revealed that 277 people were killed and 3,939 were injured due to bus and truck accidents in California.

Most bus accidents happen because people make mistakes. 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.

San Luis Obispo County Bus Accident Lawyers

After a bus accident, you need to speak with a lawyer immediately. The bus company’s insurance company and other allies may try to pressure you into accepting far less compensation than you deserve.

Unfortunately, determining fault in bus accidents is often more complicated than in regular car crashes. Multiple parties, not just the driver, may bear some of the responsibility for your losses.

Our San Luis Obispo County bus accident lawyers at Arash Law will investigate the accident thoroughly to find out who is at fault if you were injured in a bus accident.

During your consultation, our lawyers will go over the actions you should take (and the pitfalls you should avoid) to maximize the likelihood of a favorable outcome for 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 schedule your case evaluation with one of our experienced attorneys.