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What causes tour bus accidents in California?
After a string of high-profile charter and school bus accidents across California, the governor has signed three bus safety bills that aim to cut the number of bus crashes in the future. Governor Jerry Brown recently signed the following three bus safety related laws:
- A bill setting new safety standards for all charter bus companies, including emergency lighting installation and mandatory passenger safety briefings, similar to airlines, prior to departure;
- A bill mandating school buses carry safety equipment to prevent any children from being left unattended;
- A bill giving the California Highway Patrol heightened authority to inspect charter buses and terminals, and order potentially dangerous buses out of service.
Charter Bus Crashes across California
These bus safety laws were prompted by several serious tour bus crashes in California. In August, five people were killed and several others injured when a charter bus struck a pole, tearing the bus down the middle. The bus involved in the crash was cited for at least seven violations in the past two years, including a citation for a bus operator driving with a suspended license and one for a damaged windshield.
In 2015, a San Francisco open air tour bus brought passengers on a terrifying tour of the city. The bus driver lost control and crashed into several pedestrians, cars, and finally a construction site. Twenty people were hurt, several critically.
Causes of Charter Bus Crashes
Charter buses carry dozens of passengers, often over long distances. These heavy vehicles must be operated with care to prevent serious accidents. Some of the most common causes of tour bus accidents include:
- Driver inattention
- Driver inexperience
- Fatigue
- Mechanical issues related to lack of maintenance
- Other drivers
Injured bus accident victims may be able to seek compensation from the negligent bus driver, bus company, or another driver that caused the accident. Potential damages include coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. For assistance with your California bus accident case, contact the Los Angeles bus accident lawyers at J&Y. Our firm offers a free consultation to new clients and will fight to see that you obtain the damages to which you are entitled.