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Fatal Bus Accident on Interstate 15 Freeway Near Barstow

smashed window inside a bus

On Tuesday, December 13th, a large bus carrying several passengers was involved in a fatal accident near the city of Barstow in San Bernardino County. The bus that was involved in the accident was determined to be a 2016 Volvo bus that was owned by a company called Tufesa.  The bus was driving from Las Vegas, and headed towards California. The accident occurred around 11 p.m., near the Mojave Desert.

The bus physically rolled over on its own, there were no other vehicles involved, and the accident was determined to be a solo accident. Several different rescue crews arrived at the scene, and there was one passenger that was pronounced dead at the scene. Currently, the circumstances involving the accident are being investigated, but the tour bus had driven on the open terrain that was on the right side of the freeway prior to the accident. The bus drove on the dirt and became airborne.

There were also several other passengers who were injured. Immediately after the accident, there were around 11 passengers injured, but this number has since increased with several passengers now complaining of back injuries. There are around 7 passengers that are in critical condition. Currently, the California Highway Patrol near the Barstow area is investigating the circumstances of the accident. The person that was pronounced dead was determined to be Velia Monarrez, an 68 year old from Las Vegas. Our office extends our heartfelt condolences to the passenger and their family.

We know how difficult it may be for the passengers and their family members when one is involved in a bus accident. Bus accidents usually lead to more severe injuries compared to other car accidents. Reasons for this include:

  • The bus is not equipped with proper seat belts
  • Poor weather conditions
  • The bus is heavy and likely to tip over
  • It takes a specific license to drive a bus
  • There are several different parts that need to be maintained for the bus to operate properly

Unfortunately, there are mass casualties that result from bus accidents. The bus in this scenario was carrying around 20 people, and multiple people were ejected from the interior. The entire road was closed off immediately after the accident, as First Responders arrived at the scene to help with all the passengers and other commuters.

After several studies done by AAA, driving at night has been determined to be a very dangerous factor that could result in a car accident. When drivers get behind the wheel at night, especially in unfamiliar territory, they are more likely to get involved in an accident. Driving during daylight hours makes the road safer simply because the driver could see all around.

Interstate 15 Accidents

Interstate 15 is known to be a freeway that connects the state of Nevada to the state of California. Many people drive on this interstate to get to and from different states. There are thousands of people that drive on this freeway daily, therefore, the likelihood of getting involved in an accident on this freeway is very high. If you have been involved in an accident on this freeway, you deserve the right to hold the responsible parties liable for your injuries.

What is the most common cause of bus accidents?

According to the Journal of Safety Research, the number one cause of bus accidents is negligence from the driver’s end. This is not always the case, but it is likely to occur, especially when driving under the influence comes into play. Other reasons could include the driver being extremely fatigued, especially if they have driven for several hours during the day. Bus drivers are known to have very demanding and strenuous job hours, and currently, there is a push by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to ease on the hourly restrictions, and allow drivers to take more breaks in between shifts.

How do I file a bus accident claim?

You can file a bus accident claim without an attorney, but it is advised that you have a top-rated attorney on your side to make sure that your claim is followed through properly. Not having the right attorney could make you lose out on thousands of dollars in compensation that you deserve.

Bus accidents are very complex cases, especially in a scenario like this where the circumstances are still being investigated, especially because it was a solo bus accident. An attorney will be better able to investigate the circumstances for you to determine the cause of the accident, and then determine liability and which parties may be at fault.

Who is responsible for a bus accident?

The responsible parties depend on the circumstances of the accident, but generally the parties that could be held responsible include:

  • Bus parts manufacturing company
  • Bus retail company
  • Touring company
  • Owner of the bus
  • Bus maintenance company
  • Bus driver

What types of compensation could I receive from a bus accident?

The types of compensation you could receive depending on the circumstances of the accident, and how the accident actually occurred. To give you a better idea on what damages you could specifically receive, give us a call today. Generally, the different types of compensation you could receive include:

  • Lost wages: this includes the lost hours from work since you were not able to go in from the injuries. You could also get compensated for any future work you are unable to do due to permanent injuries.
  • Pain and suffering: suffering injuries could be an inconvenience to anybody, and could take an emotional toll. You are allowed compensation for this emotional distress.
  • Medical bills: this is one of the most common types of compensation you could receive when you are involved in a bus accident. Almost always, bus accidents will result in some type of injury that must be treated by a medical professional. You do have the right to get compensated for your medical bills and treatments. Some examples include surgery, physical therapy, prescription medication, etc.

Call Heidari Law Today
There are around 60,000 bus accidents in the United States each year. In almost all these scenarios, there has been at least one person injured. Unfortunately, the majority of these bus accidents do result in permanent injuries that the passengers will have to live with forever. Although the number of fatalities has decreased due to increased safety precautions, the number of bus accidents is still at a steady incline. Many also estimate that these numbers rise closer to the holidays as more people start to go on vacations and use a bus as a means of transportation.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a bus accident, you do have the right to get compensated for your injuries. You have the right to hold the party responsible for the injuries that you have suffered. Our attorneys handle both California and Nevada law, and are experienced in representing accident victims for several decades. Give us a call today to schedule a consultation. We hold those that are negligent responsible for your injuries.

Our consultations are risk-free, and our attorneys only get compensated if we win for you. Give us a call today to discuss your options.

Sam Heidari

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