Several People Injured In Commuter Bus Accident By The Walnut Creek BART Station on Ygnacio Valley Road
WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA (March 10, 2023) – At least four people were injured in a bus accident involving several vehicles by the Walnut Creek BART Station on Ygnacio Valley Road.
Contra Costa County officials are saying that the collision took place on Thursday afternoon. A commuter was involved in a collision with three other vehicles under uncertain conditions.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help all of the victims. Three people sustained moderate injuries and were taken to the hospital.
One person was taken to the hospital in critical condition. The driver of the bus remained at the scene and cooperated with police.
Liability For Walnut Creek Bus Accidents
Buses tend to be very safe for bus passengers. But they can be particularly dangerous for pedestrians and those in smaller vehicles. According to the NTSB, “Nationwide, more than 700 million passengers — nearly the entire population of Europe — are transported by buses annually. Most travel to and from their destinations safely. Yet despite the strong safety record of buses … there were more than 250 people killed and 20,000 injured in bus-related crashes in 2009.” There are many steps that bus companies can take to prevent collisions.
- Bus companies should ensure that their drivers are well trained.
- Bus companies should periodically inspect and maintain their fleet.
- Bus companies should not overwork their drivers.
Bus companies are considered common carriers and must do everything that they can to avoid collisions. 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.” Most bus accidents are preventable.
If a bus driver was working when they were involved in a crash, their employer could be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful 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 they crashed. Victims of bus accidents tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
The FMCSA requires commercial buses to have at least $5,000,000 worth of liability coverage. Any person that is injured in a bus accident may be able to seek aid through a bodily injury 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 Contra Costa County Bus Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to the victims of this Walnut Creek bus accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. It is our hope that steps are taken to prevent other accidents like this.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Walnut Creek bus accident? You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Our team of bus accident attorneys are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they are entitled to under the law. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
