Fresno Collision: School Bus and Box Truck Injuries

Injury Crash Involving Box Truck and School Bus at Bullard Avenue and Van Ness Boulevard in Fresno

Overview of the Incident

A serious collision involving a school bus and a box truck occurred Tuesday afternoon, December 9, in Fresno. According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash took place at approximately 2:48 p.m. at the intersection of Bullard Avenue and Van Ness Boulevard. Multiple individuals suffered injuries and were transported to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment. At this time, it remains unclear whether any of the injured were schoolchildren. The exact cause of the collision is still under investigation.

While authorities continue to assess the factors that led to this crash, the incident underscores the risks posed by large commercial vehicles and buses at busy intersections, particularly during peak travel and school hours. Avian Law Group extends its thoughts to all those affected and encourages anyone who witnessed the collision to share information with investigators to help establish a full and accurate account of what occurred.

What We Know So Far

- Location: Intersection of Bullard Avenue and Van Ness Boulevard, Fresno, CA
- Time: Approximately 2:48 p.m., Tuesday afternoon, December 9
- Vehicles Involved: A school bus and a box truck
- Injuries: Several individuals transported to nearby hospitals
- Status of Children: Unknown at this time
- Cause: Under investigation by law enforcement

Understanding Truck and School Bus Collisions

Crashes involving commercial trucks and school buses are often complex due to the size and weight of the vehicles, the number of people potentially involved, and the regulatory frameworks that apply. Even at lower speeds, collisions with heavy vehicles can result in significant forces, leading to injuries such as concussions, spinal injuries, fractures, and internal trauma. For school buses, the safety of child passengers is a paramount concern, and additional measures are often taken during investigations to ensure their care and privacy.

Potential Causes Under Investigation

Although the official cause has not been released, investigators typically look at several possible contributing factors in similar intersection crashes:

- Failure to yield or improper left turns
- Distracted driving (device use, in-cab distractions, or passenger-related distractions)
- Speeding or unsafe speed for road and traffic conditions
- Signal timing, visibility, or traffic control issues
- Mechanical failures or improper maintenance
- Driver fatigue or hours-of-service compliance for commercial drivers
- Load securement and weight distribution in the box truck

Liability Considerations

Multiple parties may bear responsibility in collisions involving commercial vehicles and buses. Determining fault requires careful review of evidence and may involve technical experts. Potentially liable parties can include:

- The box truck driver and the company that employs or contracts with the driver
- The school bus driver and the school district or transportation provider
- Vehicle maintenance contractors responsible for safe operation
- Manufacturers of defective vehicle parts (brakes, tires, steering components)
- Cargo loaders if shifting loads contributed to loss of control or stopping distance issues
- Public entities responsible for roadway design, signage, or signal timing (when applicable)

California follows a pure comparative negligence system, meaning each party can be assigned a percentage of fault, and compensation is adjusted accordingly. This makes thorough investigation essential to ensure that liability is fairly established.

Key Evidence After a Truck or Bus Crash

Prompt evidence preservation is often critical. Important items may include:

- Dashcam or onboard video from the bus or truck, as well as nearby businesses or residences
- Event data recorder (EDR) and telematics, including speed, braking, and steering inputs
- Electronic logging device (ELD) records showing driver hours and rest periods
- Maintenance and inspection logs for both vehicles
- Cargo manifests and load securement records for the truck
- 911 calls, witness statements, and photographs from the scene
- Police collision reports and diagramming
- Signal timing data and intersection design documentation

A comprehensive legal approach often involves sending preservation letters to ensure that critical evidence isn’t lost or overwritten, particularly with digital logs that can cycle quickly.

Collisions involving school buses and commercial trucks often require extensive investigation due to the number of potential parties, the regulatory requirements for each vehicle type, and the complexity of intersection dynamics. As CHP evaluates dashcam evidence, vehicle maintenance records, driver logs, and signal timing, injured victims may need clear legal guidance regarding liability and available claims.

Avian Law Group has deep experience handling complex commercial-vehicle and school-transportation cases. If you were harmed in this Fresno crash, our attorneys can help analyze the evidence, coordinate insurance claims, and protect your legal rights. Contact us for a no-obligation case evaluation.