Several people sustained injuries in a San Francisco train accident after a San Francisco Municipal Railway light rail vehicle and a passenger transport van collided the morning of May 20, 2010. According to a Bay City News report, the collision occurred at the intersection of 14th Avenue and Judah Street in the city's Inner Sunset neighborhood. Six people who were in the van suffered injuries and were transported to area hospitals. No one in the light rail vehicle seems to have been injured. The extent or seriousness of the injuries is not yet known. An investigation is ongoing.
I sympathize with all the injured victims in this accident. I hope no one has sustained major injuries. I wish these victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Muni Accidents
According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 35 deaths and 3,577 injuries involving car accidents in San Francisco. According to Muni officials, accidents involving Muni vehicles have reduced by 8 percent between 2008 and 2009. Collisions fell by 18 percent between January 2009 and November compared to the same time period in 2008. However, it must be noted that passenger accidents increased 15 percent during the same time period.
Causes and Liability Issues
Based on this news report, it is not clear how or why this injury collision occurred. There are several questions here. Whose fault was this accident? It appears that this crash occurred at an intersection. Did one of the drivers fail to yield right-of-way or run a red light at the intersection? It is not entirely clear whether a van company operated the passenger van. I trust investigators are looking into whether impairment, distraction, speeding, traffic violations or any other form of negligence played a part in this crash.
If the Muni driver is determined to have been at fault here, the driver and his employer, the transit authority, could be held liable for the accident and injuries caused. If the van driver was at fault, then he and the van company could be held responsible for the injuries caused. Injured victims in such cases could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, physical therapy and other related damages. Under California Government Code section 911.2, any claim against a governmental agency must be filed within 180 days of the incident. The best San Francisco personal injury lawyers will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive claim evaluation to injured victims and their families.
Do you feel safe riding in a Muni vehicle? We would like to hear from you?
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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