Bus Involved In Serious Chain Reaction Crash In Temecula

A Riverside Transit Agency bus slammed into stopped traffic Wednesday morning on southbound Interstate 15 in Temecula.  According to a story in the Press Enterprise, the commuter bus slammed into backed-up traffic on a stretch of highway notorious for congestion and a high rate of accidents.  The chain reaction crash involved a total of five vehicles, and it sent a total of seven people to local hospitals, including the driver of the bus, whose right leg was almost completely severed..

The Enterprise report indicates the accident happened about 7:50 a.m. yesterday when the RTA bus carrying five passengers rammed into the back of a white box truck that was stopped at the end of a line of cars waiting to exit the freeway at Winchester Road.  The bus driver is suspected of failing to notice the traffic ahead had come to a stop.  According to the news report, citing information from Caltrans, the area of this accident is notorious for backed up traffic and accidents.  The Winchester Road exit is often where traffic is at a stand still for considerable periods of time during the day.  While these facts make this accident less than surprising to local residents, nothing absolves the bus driver from using due care when transporting passengers.

See the Press Enterprise story and photographs HERE.

Under California law, generally bus owners and operators must “use the utmost care and diligence for their passenger’s safe carriage, must provide everything necessary for the purpose, and must exercise to that end a reasonable degree of skill.” Bus companies and public entities operating bus lines are known in the law as “common carriers”.  When they undertake the business of transporting the general public they 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.

Compensation for the victims of bus accidents, caused by another’s negligence, should be an important concern for all Californians. When a bus operator or other driver operates their vehicle in a careless or reckless manner, they should be held accountable.  An Orange County personal injury attorney with experience at handling such cases can make a fair assessment of these claims.  Mr. Ralph has 20 years of experience handling personal injury cases, including just this type.   He can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a bus accident caused by neglect?

Nothing in this post is intended to suggest the Law Offices of Paul W. Ralph currently represents anyone involved in the news story above. This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter. A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.