Investigation Underway After Rochester Rollover Bus Collision on Interstate 490 Left Dozens Injured
ROCHESTER, CALIFORNIA (November 8, 2024) – Dozens of people were hospitalized in a Rochester bus accident along Interstate 490.
Rochester officials are saying that the collision took place on Thursday morning. A bus was heading down the road when it left the roadway and re-entered before flipping over.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of the victims. Dozens of people were injured, including the bus driver who was ejected through the front windshield.
Police cited the driver for fatigued driving, unreasonable speed, unsafe lane change, and not wearing a seat belt. A full investigation into the accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Rochester Bus Accidents
Buses are typically very safe for passengers. But many people are still seriously injured every year. According to Journalist’s Resource, “on average, about 63,000 buses [of all kinds] are involved in an accident each year; about 14,000 result in an injured person, and 325 result in a fatal injury. About 50 passengers (including the driver) are killed, on average, in a given year.” There are a number of factors that may contribute to bus collisions.
- Inclement weather
- Poor road conditions
- Tire blowouts
- Speeding
- Driver fatigue
Bus companies are considered common carriers, and their drivers are held to high standards in terms of safety. Many bus collisions involve drivers who make unsafe lane changes. Pursuant to New York VTL § 1128, a driver may not change their lane unless they have first ascertained that it is safe to do so. If a bus driver makes a dangerous lane change, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. It is critical that evidence is properly preserved after any bus collision.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
- The logbook for the bus driver involved should be reviewed.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- An experienced bus accident attorney should be contacted.
Fatigue remains one of the most common causes of car accidents. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that staying awake for only 18 hours can reduce a person’s ability to drive safely, equal to driving with a BAC of 0.05%. It is important for victims of bus accidents to understand that they do have rights. They are able to seek some measure of justice through a personal injury claim.
Getting Legal Help For A New York Bus Accident
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our best wishes to all of the people who were injured in this Rochester bus accident. It is our sincere hope that all of the victims will be able to make a full recovery. This was a preventable tragedy that should not have taken place.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Rochester bus accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
