Motorcyclist Died In Riverside Commuter Bus Crash On The 91 Freeway
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA (June 24, 2022) – A motorcyclist has tragically died after being run over by a commuter bus on the 91 Freeway by Van Buren Boulevard.
Riverside County police officers are saying that the accident took place around 7:40 a.m. on Tuesday. A motorcyclist was traveling down the westbound lanes of the 91 Freeway when they were involved in a collision with a Jeep Latitude.
The force of the impact caused the motorcyclist to fall into the roadway. An RTA bus also traveling westbound ran over the victim.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the motorcyclist. Sadly, they were pronounced dead at the scene.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Riverside Bus Accidents
Buses are one of the safest forms of transportation for those riding as passengers. But they pose a number of unique hazards to pedestrians and those in smaller vehicles. According to the NTSB, “despite the strong safety record of buses … there were more than 250 people killed and 20,000 injured in bus-related crashes in 2009. From 2000-2007, there were 1,093 fatal accidents involving large buses, resulting in 1,315 fatalities and 3,471 injuries.” There are a number of factors that could contribute to a bus accident.
- Buses have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of motorcyclists and those in smaller vehicles.
- A commuter bus can weigh 40,000 lbs and can therefore take a long distance to stop in the event of an emergency.
- Buses have a wide turning radius thereby making side impact collisions more likely.
Bus companies are considered “common carriers” and are therefore held to a high standard in terms of safety. According to the Judicial Council of California Civil Jury Instructions, common carriers must use the highest care and the vigilance of a very cautious person . They must do all that human care and foresight can reasonably do to avoid collisions. To that end, a bus driver must constantly scan the road for potential hazards and respond accordingly.
All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid colliding with vehicles ahead of them. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21703, the driver of any motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than would be safe or reasonable given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that hits a vehicle or motorcyclist in their own lane.
Depending on the facts of any case, a bus driver’s employer could be held at fault for a collision. Generally speaking, employers are liable for the wrongful acts of their employees – insofar as those employees are working within the course and scope of their job duties. A bus driver could have been working for a municipal entity like a city or a private corporation. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any bus collision.
- Surveillance footage from inside of the bus should be examined.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- The bus driver’s logbook should be reviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any victim that died in a Riverside bus accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. If the decedent survived for a period of time after an accident, family members may also be able to pursue a survival action claim. Sadly, though, bus companies will often fight hard to deny liability for any collision. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Riverside Bus Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of the motorcyclist killed in this bus accident on the 91 Freeway. 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 the victim’s family.
Do you need more information about a Riverside 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 those rights are being protected. 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.
