An early morning Greyhound bus accident in the Central Valley near Fresno on July 22, 2010 claimed six lives and injured at least ten people. The LA Times reports that the bus crash is still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. CHP officials say the accident occurred at 2:14 a.m. near the intersection of northbound State Hwy 99 and McKinley Avenue near downtown Fresno. Accident investigators report that the Greyhound bus collision occurred when the bus driver took evasive action to avoid striking an overturned sport utility vehicle. The bus struck the SUV and collided with another vehicle before striking a concrete center divider and a tree.
Investigators say the Greyhound bus left Los Angeles bound for Sacramento, carrying 47 passengers. The California bus accident killed the bus driver and five passengers and injured at least ten. The California Greyhound bus accident closed the northbound lanes of Hwy 99 at Olive Avenue while emergency response personnel investigated and cleared the accident scene.
Compared to other forms of land-based transportation, buses are generally a safe way to get from one place to another. Bus accident statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate that these types of accidents comprised one-half of one percent of all fatal accidents in 2006. However, when bus collisions do occur, the results can be devastating as these vehicles often lack many common safety features such as seat belts and air bags. Without any restraints to protect them from the impact, passengers can often be thrown from their seats and suffer serious injuries that lead to permanent disabilities and even death.
Bus accident cases are often very complex and require California bus crash attorneys with the experience and resources to help victims recover fair and just compensation from the liable parties. The Fresno Greyhound bus crash lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have decades of combined experience building effective cases for clients injured in these and other types of motor vehicle accidents. If you or a close family member has suffered an injury in a bus accident and would like answers to your questions, call 877-800-1700 today and schedule a free consultation with the California bus accident attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP.