Nine Orange Line Riders Sustain Injuries in Los Angeles Car Accident
Nine people sustained injuries in a Los Angeles car accident after an Orange Line commuter bus struck another vehicle, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. The Orange Line bus was apparently traveling east on Chandler Boulevard when it crashed into another vehicle at an intersection on Coldwater Canyon Avenue the afternoon of October 30, 2009. None of the victims is said to have suffered major injuries.
It is indeed fortunate that no one was seriously injured in this bus accident. I hope and pray that all those who were injured in this crash have a speedy and full recovery from their injuries.
Car Accidents in Los Angeles
According to California Highway Patrol's traffic accident statistics, there were 712 deaths and 56,475 injuries involving car accidents in 2007. During the same period, in the city of Los Angeles, car accidents claimed 260 lives and injured 27,100 people.
Based on this newspaper report, it's tough to determine how this bus accident occurred. However, we do know that it occurred at a street intersection. There are still many questions here that have not been answered. Did one of the drivers failed to yield right-of-way at this intersection? Did one of the drivers run a red light? Running a red light is a serious violation under California law. California Vehicle Code Section 21453 (a) states: "A driver facing a circular red signal shall stop at the limit line before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown."
Who Should Be Held Liable?
In this particular case, if the driver of the other vehicle is found to be at fault, he or she could be held responsible for the victims' injuries. If the bus driver was at fault then both he and transit authority could be held liable because bus companies owe their passengers the "highest duty of care." Car accident victims who believe they were injured as a result of someone else's negligence would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney who will analyze this incident from all angles and make sure their rights are protected. Victims in accident cases could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages and other related damages.
We are 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 a reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free confidential consultation to "not a fault" persons named in this article and their family members.
