Multiple People Injured In Cabazon Tire Blowout Accident Involving Greyhound Bus On 10 Freeway By Malki Road
CABAZON, CALIFORNIA (June 3, 2022) – At least 13 people were injured in a Greyhound Cabazon bus accident involving a Mercedes after a tire blowout on the 10 freeway.
Riverside County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 11:00 a.m. on Friday. A Greyhound bus was traveling in the eastbound lanes when a front tire popped, which caused the bus to veer to the left.
The bus then struck a Mitsubishi before hitting the center divider. There were apparently 33 people on the greyhound bus that was traveling from Los Angeles to Phoenix.
Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of the victims. Two people in the Mitsubishi were injured and taken to the hospital. Eleven people on the bus sustained injuries.
One bus passenger had major injuries, according to officers. A full investigation into the Greyhound bus collision remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Cabazon Bus Accidents
Buses are typically one of the safest forms of transportation that people can take. Still, bus accidents do occasionally happen. This is especially true for younger, less-experienced bus drivers. According to the FMCSA, in 2019 there were 5,237 accidents involving large trucks and buses in the United States. Most of the victims tend to be pedestrians and those in smaller vehicles. There are a number of steps that bus companies should take in order to prevent collisions.
- Bus drivers should all be properly trained.
- Buses should be well-maintained.
- Buses can be equipped with forward collision avoidance systems.
Bus companies are considered “common carriers” under the law and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. According to the Judicial Council of California Civil Jury Instructions, “Common carriers must carry passengers [or property] safely. Common carriers must use the highest care and the vigilance of a very cautious person. They must do all that human care, vigilance, and foresight reasonably can do under the circumstances to avoid harm to passengers[or property].” They are responsible for even the slightest negligence. This heightened standard also applies to hiring standards and the maintenance of a bus.
Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous sources of liability for any bus accident involving a tire blowout. Regardless of what may have caused a tire blowout, bus drivers must do everything in their power to keep a bus steady after a blowout. This takes training and experience. Contrary to how many people will react after a tire blowout, the best course of action is to ease off the accelerator and try to keep the wheel steady. Many drivers will jerk the wheel after a blowout and cause their vehicle to become unstable. If a bus driver is negligent, the bus company that employed them could be vicariously liable.
A bus company like Greyhound could also be liable for a crash if they didn’t properly maintain the tires on their bus. Buses are in constant use and require regular maintenance in order for them to be operated safely. A qualified person must inspect the engine of the bus, the brakes, tires and other component parts. There are a number of signs that a tire could fail. Tires are likely to fail when (1) there are cracks on the sidewalls, (2) the treads have excessive wear, (3) there are bulges or blisters, (4) the tires constantly vibrate. If a bus company fails to maintain the tires on a bus, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. There are many steps that should be taken after any bus accident.
- All tires on the bus should be inspected.
- The bus driver’s work records should be examined.
- Medical bills should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage from within the bus should be sought.
The FMCSA requires buses that can carry 16 or more passengers to have at least $5,000,000 worth of liability coverage. Victims of bus accidents can seek damages including lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Many victims often don’t realize the full extent of their injuries for several weeks or months after a collision. A bus accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Cabazon Bus Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this Cabazon Greyhound bus accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of all of the victims. Many questions need to be answered. Were the tires on this bus well-maintained? Were they worn? Was the bus driver properly trained?
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a bus accident? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of bus accident attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
