Ruben Zapien Run Over In Dos Palos Farm Labor Bus Accident Near The Intersection of Almond Street at Elgin Avenue
DOS PALOS, CALIFORNIA (May 25, 2022) – One person identified as Ruben Zapien has died in Dos Palos after being run over by a farm labor bus near the intersection of Almond Street at Elgin Avenue.
Merced County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Ruben Zapien was sleeping under a farm labor bus when they were run over as the bus pulled out of a driveway.
The bus driver got out of his vehicle and realized that he ran someone over. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.
Despite life-saving measures, Ruben Zapien was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the victim has been released by the Merced County Coroner.
It remains unclear if the victim who was run over may have been homeless. A full investigation into the Dos Palos bus accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Merced County Bus Accidents
Buses are among the safest forms of transportation that a person can take. But they can be especially dangerous to pedestrians. According to one study featured in Journalist’s Resource, buses and other commercial motor vehicles have a higher likelihood of a fatal accident per vehicle miles traveled than passenger vehicles. Researchers noted that the victim of such accidents tend to be cyclists and pedestrians. There are a number of steps that bus drivers should take in order to prevent accidents.
- Bus drivers should check all around their vehicle before pulling out onto any road.
- Bus drivers should be well-rested before the start of their shift.
- Bus drivers should abstain from alcohol or other intoxicating substances.
Bus companies are considered “common carriers” and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. According to Acosta v. Southern California Rapid Transit Dist., “Common carriers bind themselves to carry safely those whom they take into their vehicles, and owe both a duty of utmost care and the vigilance of a very cautious person towards their passengers. Such carriers are responsible for any, even the slightest, negligence and are required to do all that human care, vigilance, and foresight reasonably can do under all the circumstances.” If a common carrier fails to live up to this standard and runs over a pedestrian, they can be held at fault through a civil claim.
All drivers must take precautions to avoid hitting pedestrians. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 21954, all drivers must exercise due care to avoid hitting pedestrians upon a roadway. If, for example, there is an area where homeless people are known to frequent, drivers should be particularly cautious in that area. The fact of the matter is that bus companies are often aware when homeless people hang out around their vehicles. It is important to determine whether or not a bus company had knowledge of people who were spending time underneath their vehicles.
Depending on the facts of any case, the company that a bus driver was working for could be held at fault for a collision. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the negligent actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a bus driver may have been transporting passengers when an accident occured. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any bus accident.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage around the bus should be sought.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The FMCSA requires commercial buses that can transport 16 or more people to have at least $5,000,000 worth of liability coverage. The family of any victim that died in a 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. 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 Merced County Bus Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of Ruben Zapien who died in this Dos Palos farm labor bus accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to authorities. It is our sincere hope that measures will be put in place to help prevent additional tragedies in the future.
Have you or someone that you love been involved in a Dos Palos bus accident? Our team of pedestrian 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 any type of support after an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
