20 People Injured in Lancaster Bus Accident on Sierra Highway

Kern County Transit Bus Overturned After Crossing Train Tracks in Lancaster on Sierra Highway Near West Avenue C

LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA (July 7, 2025) – At least 20 people were injured when a Kern County transit bus was involved in a rollover accident on Sierra Highway in Lancaster.

Kern county officials are saying that the accident took place around 11:17 AM on July 2. Initial reports suggest that the transit bus overturned as it was going over a set of train tracks.

It remains uncertain if any other vehicles were involved in the collision at this time. Paramedics were called to the scene to help the victims.

At least 20 people were injured in the crash, and an eight-year-old boy was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition. A full investigation into the Lancaster bus accident remains ongoing.

Liability for Kern County Bus Accidents

Thousands of people are injured every year in bus accidents across the United States. According to one study in the Journal of Safety Research, “while bus accidents comprise a relatively small share of the total accidents (0.6%) in the United States, the number of bus accidents per million passenger miles (3.04) is comparable to the number of car accidents per million driven miles (3.21).” Buses can be particularly dangerous in several unique ways.

• Blind Spots: Buses have large blind spots that can easily obscure the presence of pedestrians and smaller vehicles.
• Rollovers: Buses have a high center of gravity that makes them uniquely vulnerable to rollover accidents.
• Weight: A fully loaded bus can weigh tens of thousands of pounds. Even a low-impact collision can be potentially catastrophic.

Bus companies are considered common carriers, and their drivers are held to a very high safety standard. Bus drivers must use an abundance of caution in order to avoid causing harm to their passengers. This necessitates that they travel at a safe speed at all times. Pursuant to California Civil Code 22350, no person shall operate a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than what would be reasonable and prudent when taking into consideration weather, visibility, and the prevailing traffic conditions. If a bus driver fails to slow down to avoid a collision, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.

Depending on the facts of any case, liability for a bus accident could extend beyond a bus driver. This is particularly true if a bus is owned or operated by a county or other municipal entity. As a general principle, government entities are vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their employees–insofar as those employees were operating within their job duties. This will include instances where a bus is being used to transport passengers. It is essential that evidence be properly preserved after any bus accident.

• Photos of the accident site should be taken.
• The condition of any train tracks potentially involved in an accident should be heavily scrutinized.
• Medical records related to injuries should be preserved.
• An experienced bus accident attorney should be contacted.

Bus accidents can result in very serious injuries that leave victims with high medical bills. It is essential that victims understand that they do have legal options. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires that commercial buses capable of carrying 16 or more passengers have at least $5,000,000 in liability coverage. Any person injured in a bus accident may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.

Investigating Kern County Bus Accidents

We at Samer Habbas & Associates PC extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this Lancaster bus accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the California Highway Patrol. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Many questions remain unanswered. Did the train tracks at this crossing contribute to the accident in some way? What was the speed of the bus prior to the collision? When was the last time it was inspected?

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Kern County bus accident? You may be entitled to financial compensation. Our team of highly experienced bus accident attorneys is here to help you. We have recovered hundreds of millions in verdicts and settlements for our clients and will fight hard to get you the support that you deserve. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney can help, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 949-727-9300.