Mass Casualty Bus Accident in Running Springs Injures Dozens – Victims and Families Have Legal Options
A devastating bus crash in the San Bernardino Mountains on Sunday night left several people injured, including three with severe injuries, after a vehicle carrying 36 passengers overturned on State Route 330. The crash, which occurred near mile marker 38 in the Fredalba neighborhood of Running Springs, prompted authorities to declare a mass casualty incident and deploy emergency responders from multiple agencies.
If you or a loved one was injured in this bus crash, or if you lost a family member in a bus accident, you have legal rights. At Dordulian Law Group, our trusted personal injury lawyers and bus crash injury lawyers have experience representing victims of serious transportation accidents throughout California and nationwide. We fight and win for bus accident victims.
For a free consultation about your bus accident case, call (866) GO-SEE-SAM or visit dlawgroup.com today.
On Sunday evening, just before 9 p.m., emergency services received reports of an overturned bus on State Route 330 near Running Springs in San Bernardino County. The California Highway Patrol, San Bernardino County Fire Department, and surrounding agencies responded to what quickly became a mass casualty incident.
Key Facts About the Crash:
According to witness accounts, the passengers were returning to Santa Ana from a church event when the crash occurred. Video from the scene showed a heavy presence of first responders who established a triage area to rapidly assess and treat the injured passengers.
While many passengers suffered minor injuries or escaped unharmed, three individuals sustained severe injuries requiring immediate medical attention. The extent of these injuries and long-term prognosis remain unknown.
Dordulian Law Group has experience successfully representing victims of bas accidents, including the tragic and deadly Tufesa bus crash – a rollover bus accident that took place in 2016.
In the Tufesa bus crash, the driver fell asleep at the wheel. Many of the passengers sustained catastrophic injuries, and three died tragically. Click here to read more about Dordulian Law Group’s wrongful death bus accident case.
Additionally, Dordulian Law Group’s elite bus accident attorneys have experience representing victims of deadly Los Angeles MTA bus crashes. Our attorneys have a 98% winning record and have helped injured victims secure more than $150,000,000 in settlements and verdicts. Attorney Sam Dordulian, our founding partner, has won over 100 jury trials. Don’t settle for an attorney without proven experience in bus crash cases.
Determining liability in bus accidents requires a thorough investigation into multiple potential causes and responsible parties. While the exact cause of this crash remains under investigation, several factors commonly contribute to bus accidents in mountainous areas like the San Bernardino Mountains.
Potential Causes of the Bus Crash
Driver Error:
Vehicle Defects and Maintenance Issues:
Road Conditions and Design:
Weather and Environmental Factors:
Company Negligence:
Potentially Liable Parties
Depending on the investigation’s findings, multiple parties may be held liable for the injuries and damages resulting from this bus crash:
The Bus Company or Charter Service: Bus companies have a legal duty to ensure their vehicles are safe and their drivers are properly trained and qualified. They can be held liable for:
The Bus Driver: If the driver’s negligence caused the crash, they can be held personally liable for:
Vehicle Manufacturers: If a defect in the bus or its components contributed to the crash, manufacturers may be liable under product liability laws for:
Government Entities: If poor road conditions or design contributed to the accident, government agencies like Caltrans or San Bernardino County may be liable for:
Third-Party Negligent Drivers: If another vehicle caused the bus to crash, that driver may be liable for the resulting injuries and damages.
Bus accidents often result in severe, life-changing injuries due to the size and weight of these vehicles, the number of passengers aboard, and the lack of proper safety restraints. The San Bernardino crash resulted in 20 people being transported to hospitals, with three suffering severe injuries.
Serious Injuries in Bus Accidents Include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI):
Spinal Cord Injuries:
Broken Bones and Fractures:
Internal Injuries:
Burn Injuries: Bus crashes that result in fires can cause:
Soft Tissue Injuries:
Psychological Trauma:
Many of these injuries require extensive medical treatment, ongoing therapy, and result in permanent disabilities that affect victims’ ability to work, enjoy life, and care for themselves.
Yes. If you were injured in the San Bernardino bus crash or any bus accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the legal right to file a lawsuit after a bus crash. California law allows accident victims to pursue compensation for their injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
When You Can Sue After a Bus Accident:
You Can Sue If:
Special Considerations for Government-Owned Buses:
If the bus was operated by a government entity (such as a public school district, city transit agency, or county), different rules apply. You must:
Many people don’t realize they can sue after a bus accident involving government vehicles, but California law allows these claims if filed properly and within the strict deadlines.
Victims of bus accidents may be entitled to substantial compensation for the full range of damages they suffer. The severity of injuries in the San Bernardino crash – including three people with severe injuries – suggests that significant damages may be warranted.
Economic Damages
Medical Expenses:
Lost Income and Earning Capacity:
Other Economic Losses:
Non-Economic Damages
Punitive Damages
In cases of extreme negligence or intentional misconduct, California law allows punitive damages designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct. Examples include:
While all 36 passengers in the San Bernardino bus crash survived, not all bus accidents have fortunate outcomes. When a bus accident results in a fatality, surviving family members have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?
California law specifies who has legal standing to file a wrongful death case:
What Is Recovered in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
A wrongful death settlement compensates surviving family members for:
Economic Damages:
Non-Economic Damages:
Wrongful death claims arising from bus accidents can result in substantial compensation, particularly when the deceased was young, had a high earning capacity, or left behind dependent children.
If you were injured in the San Bernardino bus crash or any bus accident, taking the right steps immediately can protect your health and your legal rights.
Even if you feel fine or have only minor injuries, get evaluated by medical professionals. Some serious injuries don’t show symptoms immediately, and delaying treatment can:
Accept ambulance transport if offered, and follow up with your doctor within 24-48 hours.
If you’re physically able:
Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly, sometimes within hours of the accident. Before giving any recorded statement or signing any documents:
Time is critical in bus accident cases. Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and strict deadlines apply—especially for accidents involving government entities.
Call (866) GO-SEE-SAM or visit dlawgroup.com now for a free consultation with our experienced bus accident legal team.
Bus accident cases are complex, involving multiple potentially liable parties, extensive investigations, and sophisticated legal arguments. You need an experienced personal injury lawyer who has successfully handled serious transportation accident cases.
Our Experience and Track Record
At Dordulian Law Group, we have:
Former Prosecutor Advantage
Attorney Sam Dordulian served as a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney for 13 years. This prosecutorial experience provides unique advantages:
Comprehensive Investigation and Expert Resources
We conduct thorough investigations of bus accidents, including:
We Handle All Case Costs
Bus accident cases require significant upfront investment in:
You pay nothing upfront. We advance all costs and only get paid if we win your case. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.
Personalized, Compassionate Representation
We understand that bus accidents cause not just physical injuries, but emotional trauma and financial stress. Our team:
Serving San Bernardino County and All of California
We represent bus accident victims throughout:
California law imposes strict deadlines for filing bus accident lawsuits. Missing these deadlines means losing your right to compensation forever.
Standard Personal Injury Statute of Limitations
For most bus accident cases involving private bus companies:
However, if you’re filing a claim for a minor child, different rules apply and the time may be extended.
Government Claims: 6-Month Deadline
If the bus was operated by a government entity (public school, transit agency, city, county, or state), you must:
This 6-month deadline is strictly enforced. Courts rarely grant extensions, and missing this deadline usually means losing your right to sue.
Don’t Wait—Evidence Disappears Quickly
Beyond legal deadlines, practical considerations make early action critical:
The sooner you contact an attorney, the better we can preserve evidence and build your case.
Call (866) GO-SEE-SAM or visit dlawgroup.com today for a free case evaluation.
How much is my bus accident case worth?
The value depends on factors including:
Cases involving severe injuries like those in the San Bernardino crash can result in settlements or verdicts ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
California follows “pure comparative negligence,” meaning you can still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible. Your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault, you receive 80% of the total damages.
How long will my bus accident case take?
Most cases settle within 12-24 months, though complex cases involving severe injuries may take longer. We work efficiently while ensuring you receive full compensation for all your damages.
Will I have to go to court?
Many cases settle through negotiations without going to trial. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we’re fully prepared to take your case to court. Our trial experience often motivates insurance companies to settle fairly.
What if the bus company says I signed a waiver?
Liability waivers don’t prevent you from suing for gross negligence or violations of safety laws. We’ll review any waiver you signed and determine if it’s enforceable under California law.
Can I sue if I was a passenger on a church bus or charter bus?
Yes. All bus operators – whether commercial charter companies, churches, schools, or other organizations – have a legal duty to operate safely and can be held liable for accidents caused by negligence.
What if I can’t afford an attorney?
You can afford us. We work on contingency, meaning no fees unless we win. Initial consultations are always free, and we advance all case costs.
If you or a loved one was injured in the San Bernardino County bus crash on Highway 330, or in any bus accident in California, you need experienced legal representation to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Don’t let insurance companies pressure you into accepting less than your case is worth. Don’t miss critical deadlines that could cost you your right to compensation. And don’t face this difficult time alone.
Why Call Us Now:
✓ Free, confidential consultation with an experienced bus crash injury lawyer
✓ No fees unless we win your case
✓ Available 24/7 to discuss your situation
✓ Immediate investigation to preserve critical evidence
✓ Proven track record of recovering maximum compensation
✓ Compassionate, personalized representation
Phone: (866) GO-SEE-SAM
Website: dlawgroup.com
Email: [email protected]
Serving San Bernardino County, Orange County, Los Angeles County, and all of California
At Dordulian Law Group, we represent victims of all types of bus accidents, including:
Whether your accident occurred on Highway 330 in the San Bernardino Mountains, on a Los Angeles freeway, or anywhere else in California, we’re here to help.
Don’t wait. Call (866) GO-SEE-SAM or visit dlawgroup.com now.
Your recovery and your family’s future may depend on the actions you take today. Let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
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