Fresno public transit systems like buses and other modes of transportation provide much-needed services for many residents and commuters. But these public transit systems can also cause severe accidents when they collide with passenger vehicles and pedestrians. Over the years, several Fresno public transit accidents have resulted in serious injuries and even death for unsuspecting individuals.
If you or someone you loved has been injured in a public transit accident in Fresno, contact our experienced motor vehicle injury attorneys today for a free case consultation.
Types of Injuries in Public Transit Accidents
Our Fresno personal injury lawyers are experienced and skilled in handling public transit accident claims. Common types of injuries in these cases include:
- Back and neck injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Slip and fall injuries
- Burn injuries
- Bone fractures
- Amputation injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death (when a public transit accident results in a fatality)
Injuries sustained in a public transit crash can be moderate or life threatening, depending on the nature of the incident. We can assess the facts in your case and advise you about what your claim might be worth.
Fresno County Public Transit Options
Fresno County has multiple public transit options that help transport residents throughout the area. Some of these include:
Fresno Area Express/FAX
The Fresno Area Express/FAX is the public bus system for the city of Fresno, California, operated by the city’s Department of Transportation. It includes numerous fixed-route bus lines and a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system called “the Q.” The system serves the city and surrounding areas with a variety of services, including local, express, and night routes.
Fresno Handy Ride
Fresno Handy Ride is a service designed to meet the transportation needs of eligible persons with disabilities who can’t functionally use the FAX city bus system. Handy Ride is a shared ride, curb-to-curb service, provided from any origin to any destination throughout the service area. Handy Ride operates during the same days and hours as the FAX bus system.
The Handy Ride boundaries are generally Copper Avenue to the north, east to Willow Avenue, south to Ashlan Avenue, east to Temperance Avenue, south to Central Avenue, west to Polk Avenue, north to the Fresno County line, and east to Copper Avenue.
Clovis Stageline Transit
Clovis Stageline Transit is the public bus service for the nearby city of Clovis, California. It provides fixed-route bus service on routes including 10, 50, 70, and 80, and also offers a paratransit/dial-a-ride service called Round Up for people with disabilities.
Fresno County Rural Transit
Fresno County Rural Transit provides local and regional transit service to rural cities within Fresno County. It enables passengers to travel within their community and throughout the county by providing both inner-city service as well as intercity service from the outlying communities.
Valleyrides
Valleyrides is a Fresno County ridesharing program that provides services like carpool and vanpool matching, incentives for commuters, and a discounted transportation program for seniors. Hosted by the Fresno County of Governments, Valleyrides is designed to make commuting more convenient, affordable, and environmentally friendly for residents in and around Fresno.
Non-emergency Medical Transportation
Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) in Fresno County can be arranged through Medi-Cal or other managed care plans, services like Uber Health, providers like ModivCare and Angel Flight West, or by contacting medical providers directly. Options include rideshare, specialized transport, and air travel for medical needs.
Fresno Economic Opportunity Commission Transit Systems
Fresno Economic Opportunity Commission Transit Systems offer low-cost rides to seniors. It provides the Senior Taxi Scrip Program that will take seniors many places including shopping, the beauty parlor, and medical appointments. It can also be used to visit family. The program operates between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., seven days a week. It is intended to serve seniors who no longer drive or require assistance with travel.
Fresno County Accidents Involving Public Transit
Fresno has seen its share of tragic public transit accidents. Whether injuries happen on a bus or other form of transit, they can be life altering and even deadly. Following are notable examples of transit accidents in the Fresno area:
- A man in his 60s was run over by a city bus in central Fresno when he fell into the street as the bus was pulling away. The bus’s right rear tires ran over the man’s upper body, including his right arm. The city bus struck the pedestrian at Blackstone Avenue, just north of Gettysburg Avenue. The man arrived at a local hospital in critical condition.
- A FAX bus and four vehicles were involved in a serious accident in northeast Fresno when the bus was traveling southbound. Two adults and a child were taken to an area hospital with injuries. The accident occurred at the intersection of Cedar and Alluvial. The bus driver was distracted by talking to a passenger and ran a red light, colliding with an SUV. The bus and SUV then pushed into three other vehicles that were in the left lane getting ready to turn left onto Alluvial. The bus’s windshield was dislodged on impact, and traffic in the area was disrupted for several hours.
Fresno Area Medical Facilities Where Public Transit Injuries Can Be Treated
Public transit accident injuries can be treated at various Fresno-area medical facilities. These include:
- Community Regional Medical Center/Table Mountain Rancheria Trauma Center
Community Regional Medical Center is the primary destination in Fresno for severe public transit injuries. It is the only Level I Trauma Center between Los Angeles and Sacramento.
- AFC Urgent Care
AFC Urgent Care is equipped to handle less-severe injuries like sprains, strains, lacerations, and other wounds.
- Saint Agnes Medical Center
Saint Agness Medical Center’s urgent care facilities offer walk-in service to treat less-severe injuries. It has several locations.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
A person injured in a collision with public transit buses and other vehicles may be entitled to financial damages. Potential compensation includes:
Economic Damages
- Medical Expenses: Public transit accidents can lead to costly hospital, doctor, and medical bills as well as the expense of ongoing physical rehabilitation and emotional trauma counseling.
- Lost Wages: Injuries due to public transit accidents in Fresno can lead to the loss of current and future wages due to missed time at work. Serious injuries can also result in permanent disability.
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain immediately after a public transit accident and ongoing chronic pain are common due to motor vehicle injuries.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Many survivors of public transit accidents feel scared, disoriented, isolated, and alone. They are often overwhelmed by the changes to their life brought on by the injury, and no longer enjoy participating in sports or social gatherings.
- Emotional Distress: Public transit accidents can cause extreme anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, and despair, as well as other mental health issues.
Contact Berg Injury Lawyers Today for Skilled Legal Representation in a Fresno Public Transit Accident
Berg Injury Lawyers is a law firm that cares deeply about our clients. You won’t be a number on a file jacket with us because we know you’re a unique person going through a very difficult experience. We treat every client and their family with compassion, respect, and care. Our legal staff are highly professional and experienced. To find out more about how we can help, contact us for a free consultation about your case.
