Salvadore Aguirre, 43, Injured In Santa Cruz Bus Accident On State Route 129 West of Harvest Drive
SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA (November 6, 2022) – A 43-year-old pedestrian identified as Salvadore Aguirre was injured in a Santa Cruz bus accident on SR 129.
Santa Cruz police officials are saying that the accident took place around 9:48 p.m. on Friday. Salvadore Aguirre was walking when he was hit by a westbound bus.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. Salvadore Aguirre was taken to a local area hospital with major injuries.
The driver of the bus remained at the scene and cooperated with police. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Santa Cruz Bus Accidents
Pedestrians are uniquely vulnerable in car accidents. They lack the protection of enclosed vehicles and are more likely to be overlooked. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “More than 7,000 pedestrians were killed on our nation’s roads in crashes involving a motor vehicle in 2020. That’s about one death every 75 minutes.” Young children and elderly pedestrians tend to be at the greatest risk of being involved in pedestrian accidents. There are a number of steps that bus drivers should take in order to avoid hitting pedestrians.
- Bus drivers should check their blind spots before making turns.
- Bus drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them for hazards.
- Bus drivers should be well rested before the start of their shift.
Bus companies are considered “common carriers” and are 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 vigilance can do to avoid harm to their passengers and others on the roadway. To this end, bus drivers will typically need to acquire a commercial license and undergo specialized training.
Many bus accidents are due to bus drivers that are traveling too fast for the prevailing conditions. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 22350, the driver of any vehicle shall not drive at a speed greater than would be reasonable or safe given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. Even driving the speed limit could be considered unsafe during periods of reduced visibility or heavy pedestrian traffic. If a bus driver failed to slow down and hit a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
Depending on the facts of any case, the company that a bus driver worked for could be held at fault for a collision. In general, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were operating within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a bus driver may have been transporting passengers when they were involved in a crash. Victims of bus accidents tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
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 often do not realize the full extend of their injuries for several weeks or months after a collision. Any person that is injured in a bus accident may have legal recourse 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 Santa Cruz Bus Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to Salvadore Aguirre. It is our sincere hope that he is able to have a full recovery. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened for the sake of the victim.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Santa Cruz 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.
