Louisiana residents may not be aware of a bus accident that occurred on the west coast that turned fatal. Authorities report that a Greyhound bus driver whose vehicle collided with safety barrels on a Northern California highway reported being fatigued before the accident. The bus flipped onto its side, resulting in the deaths of two female passengers and the hospitalization of at least eight other individuals.
The bus driver was among those sent to the hospital, and he stopped for caffeine before the fatal accident, according to authorities. A California Highway Patrol officer reported that the cause of the accident was under investigation. The bus was carrying 20 passengers at the time of the accident. After striking the barrels, the bus rolled onto the center divider. Several of the injuries that occurred were minor, but one person was severely injured and three suffered moderate injuries.
One of the passengers reported that the driver seemed to nod off after returning to the highway. The driver allegedly wove on the road and jerked the wheel. The bus left Los Angeles and had stops planned from Gilroy to Oakland. The driver’s company requires all drivers to rest for nine hours between trips, and the bus driver was asked to submit to testing for drug and alcohol use.
A major motor vehicle accident may result in a personal injury lawsuit. If it is determined that the driver acted negligently or was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, he or she may be liable for civil damages as well as any criminal charges brought against him or her. A negligent driver may be found responsible for the wrongful death of any deceased victims as well as the medical expenses, financial losses, and pain and suffering of surviving victims. A motor vehicle accidents lawyer may be able to provide assistance with filing a lawsuit to reclaim such damages.