Anthony Ramirez Died In Lake Elsinore School Bus Accident By The Intersection of Highway 74 and Riverside Street Near Perris
LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA (May 13, 2022) – A 57-year-old man identified as Anthony Ramirez has tragically died in a Lake Elsinore school bus accident by Highway 74 and Riverside Street.
Riverside County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday. Anthony Ramirez was in a Chevrolet HHR when he collided with a school bus making a left turn in front of his vehicle.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. Despite the best efforts of first responders, Anthony Ramirez died from injuries he sustained in the crash.
Two children were also treated for their injuries, which police described as minor. The driver of the school bus remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities.
A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time. This crash took place the same day that two people in Tehama County were injured by another school bus driver making a left turn.
Liability In Lake Elsinore School Bus Accidents
The number of fatal school bus crashes fell over 50% in the year 2020 from the previous year. This was due in large part to many children attending virtual school. But in 2022, the number of serious school bus crashes has edged back up as kids are returning to in-person learning. Though school buses are generally very safe for students, they pose a number of unique safety hazards for pedestrians and those in passenger vehicles.
- School buses have a wide turning radius which makes side-impact collisions more likely.
- School buses have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of smaller vehicles.
- School bus drivers are often distracted by the behavior of the students on their bus.
The blind spots on a school bus exist all around the vehicle. But they are particularly pronounced on the sides of the bus. This is why school bus drivers must be extra cautious when making left turns. In general, left turns are among the most dangerous maneuvers that drivers make. This is partly because drivers must pay attention to cross traffic in two directions while making left turns. The NHTSA estimates that over 61% of accidents at intersections take place while drivers are making left turns. When a driver makes an abrupt left turn in front of another vehicle, they will often be held at fault through California Civil Code 21801. No person is supposed to make a left turn unless such a movement can be made with reasonable safety.
Bus drivers must get a commercial license and receive special training to be able to handle their vehicle safely. School buses are also considered “common carriers” in California and a held to a high standard in terms of safety. Pursuant 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].” A school bus driver’s failure to exercise due care in order to avoid a collision could form the basis of a civil claim.
When a school bus driver is negligent and causes an accident, their employer could be held vicariously liable. Vicarious liability could extend to a private school bus company or a school district depending on who owned and operated the school bus. Employers are generally liable for the negligent actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. Vicarious liability may also apply for any employer engaged in the negligent hiring, retention or supervision of an employee. There are many steps that should be taken after a school bus accident.
- The school bus driver’s logbook should be examined.
- Surveillance footage of the accident site should be inspected.
- Crash data for the intersection in question should be reviewed.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
If a bus driver is negligent and kills another driver, the family of the deceased may have legal recourse. They are able to seek some measure of justice through California Code of Civil Procedure 377.60. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Sadly, school districts will often fight extremely hard to deny liability for any accident. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Lake Elsinore School Bus Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Anthony Ramirez. Any person that may have more information should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of all who have lost so much. A lot of questions also need to be answered. Was the driver of the school bus distracted prior to the collision? Were they speeding? Did they receive adequate training?
Do you need more information about a Lake Elsinore school bus accident? Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that school districts are held to account for their actions. 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.
