[08-24-2023] Kern County, CA – 48-Year-Old Driver Dead, Three Others Injured After Car Vs. School Bus Collision in Bakersfield

A 48-year-old driver was killed and three others injured after a car vs. school bus collision in Bakersfield, Kern County, on a Thursday evening, August 24, 2023.

California Highway Patrol officials responded to a report at around 6:30 p.m. of an accident that took place along South Mount Vernon Avenue and East Belle Terrace just south of Bakersfield.

Initial reports revealed that a Kern High School District bus carrying 38 passengers was transporting students for a varsity football game. The bus was heading northbound through Mount Vernon Avenue when a southbound Toyota Sienna veered off and headed directly toward the bus.

The head-on collision killed the 48-year-old Senna driver on-site despite wearing a seatbelt. Two passengers and the bus driver were brought to Kern Medical Hospital to be treated for minor and moderate injuries.

The CHP did not specify the cause of the crash and what led the vehicle to drift off course, and it is still under investigation.

Dedicated Bus Accident Lawyers in Bakersfield, CA

Victims of bus accidents and their families may be eligible for compensation if they suffer injuries or lose a loved one. With the help of attorneys, civil courts of the relevant state determine the settlement amount.

Our dedicated legal team will evaluate your circumstances during your free consultation. They will help you with the essential steps and consider any other information that could impact the settlement offer.

Our experienced Kern County bus accident lawyers at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., will help you with your insurance claim or provide strong representation throughout these proceedings. Our firm has recovered more than $750 Million for California clients.

If you want to speak with one of our lawyers, please call (888) 488-1391 or fill out the “Do I Have a Case?” form.

What to Do After A Bus Accident

The recklessness of another driver can cause severe damage and affect the lives of others. If you or someone you know has been invovled in a major vehicle accident due to someone else’s negligence, the following steps may help you.

1. Check yourself for injuries before checking on others. Seek medical attention immediately.
2. Pull over to the side of the road or another safe area, if possible, while waiting for authorities.
3. Stay calm, and do not admit fault.
4. Do not settle your case with the involved party. It is essential to report your accident to the police so that there will be an official record.
5. Collect information like the other driver’s name and insurer.
6. Take photos of any relevant evidence that can help build your case
7. Organize all accident-related documents and information in a folder.
8. Discuss your vehicle accident with one of our reliable California bus accident lawyers. Please contact us at (888) 488-1391 for a free consultation.

I HAD AN ACCIDENT

Bus Accident Statistics

In the period between 2006 and 2015, there were 324,710 fatal motor vehicle accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of these incidents, only 1,172 (0.4%) were related to school transportation. In this timeframe, 1,313 people died in school-related accidents, averaging 131 yearly deaths.

The overall fatalities were 9% among occupants of school vehicles and 20% among nonoccupants such as pedestrians and cyclists. Approximately 72% of the people who died in these accidents were occupants of other vehicles. Table 1 provides details regarding school-related transportation accidents and the fatalities and injuries they cause.

Furthermore, it was observed that among school-age pedestrians aged 18 and younger who lost their lives in school-related accidents between 2006 and 2015, 102 cases were recorded. Among these fatalities, 61% were as a result of collisions with school buses, 3% were linked to vehicles operating as school buses, and 36% were due to other types of vehicles, including passenger cars, light trucks, vans, large trucks, and motorcycles that were involved in the accidents.

These statistics underscore the importance of implementing safety measures around school transportation, particularly concerning school-age pedestrians.