A car product defect that caused a Los Angeles bus fire on April 23, 2009 injured 27 people in suburban Calabasas, according to an Associated Press report. The Commuter Express was heading north on Highway 101 a few miles northwest of Los Angeles when it caught fire. The driver noticed flames and smoke coming from the rear of the bus. The driver pulled over and the 37 passengers aboard the bus were able to escape. However, 26 people were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation while one woman was taken to the hospital for further observation. The cause of this fire is under investigation. Officials say it started in the engine compartment and may have been caused by a mechanical malfunction.
It is indeed a relief that this Calabasas California bus accident did not turn out to be catastrophic. With 37 passengers on board and flames shooting out, the bus could have crashed on the freeway, which would have made the personal injuries far more serious. Smoke inhalation, is however, not to be taken lightly. I wish all the injured passengers the very best for a quick and complete recovery.
What is smoke inhalation? Basically, it happens when you breathe in smoke from a fire, Breathing in a large amount of smoke can be dangerous because it can burn your throat and airways. Sometimes, smoke from a fire has poisonous gases in it which can cause breathing problems. Some of the most common symptoms of smoke inhalation include upset stomach, vomiting, headache, inability to speak or sore throat, drowsiness, headache and confusion.
I would be curious to find out what caused the mechanical malfunction in this bus that triggered the fire. Was it a car product defect or a mechanical problem caused by poor maintenance or just lack of maintenance? When a car accident is a result of a product defect, the auto product manufacturer can be held liable for the car collision and personal injuries caused. When a bus accident is caused by negligence on the part of a driver or a bus company (which includes lack of proper vehicle maintenance), the bus operator could be held liable. If you have been injured in a California bus accident, please contact experienced California bus accident attorneys to find out more about your legal rights and options.
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