All over the world, the bus is one of the most widely used form of mass transportation. Sadly however, thousands of bus accidents occur yearly and the number of injuries and fatalities continue to mount and California is not an exception. On April 23, 2009, a commuter bus heading north on U.S. Highway 101, about a dozen miles northwest of Los Angeles, caught fire. The Commuter Express bus driver pulled over and the 37 passengers aboard the bus were able to escape. A woman was rushed to the hospital for smoke inhalation treatment and 27 other passengers were treated for smoke inhalation on the scene. Just days before that accident, in Fullerton, California, a school bus was rear-ended by pickup truck on the westbound 91 freeway near the 57 freeway interchange. Children were aboard the bus at the time of the accident but only one child complained of pain. The California Highway Patrol arrested the driver of the truck on suspicion of driving under the influence. As seen above, bus accidents may occur for many reasons. It includes but is not limited to: * Negligent driving * Driver's lack of skill or training * Driving under the influence * Dangerous weather conditions * Poor road conditions * Mechanical problems Bus accidents can cause serious injuries such as broken bones, abrasions,Driving Safely For Unforgettable Prom Night, bruises, whiplash, internal organ damage, and in worst case scenarios, death. Undoubtedly, victims will also experience trauma and emotional distress. In the news recently, the National Transportation Safety Board, the federal agency charged with investigating major transportation accidents, railed about the lax oversight of the commercial bus industry and voted to cite the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for failing to implement recommendations that could lead to new safety equipment on buses,beijing massage, including seatbelts and stronger roofs and windows. This was after the safety board's results from a probe of a January 6, 2008 rollover crash in Utah that killed nine passengers and injured 43.identified driver fatigue as the primary cause of the crash, the board said NHTSA's delay in developing standards to protect people on buses contributed to the severity of the crash. Under the law, buses are classified as "common carriers" and are required by the law to carry passengers safely and use the highest care and the vigilance to protect their passengers. Since common carriers are governed federally and by most state governments,beijing escorts, bus accident litigation action can vary widely from state to state. Laws in the State of California Law actually place a higher duty of care on bus drivers to drive reasonably than an average driver. California law further dictates that "common carriers must use the highest care in constructing, servicing, inspecting, and maintaining their vehicles and equipment for transporting passengers". Thus, there may be several types of claims against the driver, employer and owner of the bus. It is also important to note that if the common carrier is government-owned (i.e., owned by the federal, state, county or city government), before a legal claim may be filed, there are special notices that must be given within a certain time period to the government entity. In unfortunate events such as Los Angeles bus accidents, it is logical and incredibly beneficial to seek legal assistance. If you have been involved in Los Angeles bus accidents, get help from our skilled personal injury lawyers. Log on to our website and avail of our free case evaluation.