Nine passengers on an Orange Line bus were injured in a Los Angeles car accident after the eastbound commuter bus hit another vehicle. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Daily News, the accident occurred the afternoon of October 30, 2009 when the bus was going east on Chandler Boulevard near Valley Glen when it crashed into a vehicle at an intersection in the 5400 block of Coldwater Canyon Avenue. Los Angeles fire officials said none of the injuries seemed to be major.
I'm relieved that none of the commuters on the bus, including the driver, sustained catastrophic injuries in this accident. I wish all the injured victims the very best for a quick and complete recovery.
Los Angeles Car Accident Statistics
There were 260 fatalities and 27,110 injuries reported in the city of Los Angeles as a result of car accidents in 2007, according to California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). During the same year, 712 deaths and 56,475 injuries occurred in Los Angeles County involving car accidents.
It is not clear from this news report who or what caused this bus accident in California. If the news report is accurate, it occurred at a street intersection. So it would seem either the bus driver or the driver of the other car did not yield right-of-way at this intersection. If the intersection had a red light, the question arises whether one of the drivers ran the red light and crashed into the other vehicle.
At Fault Party Could Be Held Liable
If the bus driver is at fault for this Los Angeles personal injury accident, the transit authority could be held liable for the passengers' injuries. Bus companies - whether they are public or private carriers – owe their passengers the "utmost duty of care," which means that they must ensure that their passengers are transported safely. If the driver of the other vehicle is determined to be at fault then he or she could be held liable for the victims' injuries.
In such cases, victims would be well-advised to seek the counsel of a reputed Los Angeles personal injury attorney who will make sure that their rights are protected and that they get fair compensation for their injuries and loss. It would also be in the best interest of accident victims not to talk to any insurance adjusters or attorneys for the other parties before they have consulted their own injury lawyer. The best personal injury law firms will always offer an initial case evaluation at no charge to injured victims and their families.
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
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