Nineteen people were hospitalized as a result of injuries in a Los Angeles car accident after an MTA bus crashed into a car on Glendale Boulevard near the 2 Freeway in Silver Lake the evening of November 6, 2009. Nine others sustained relatively minor injuries. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, one of the 10 passengers was critically injured in this crash. The other injuries were not life-threatening, Los Angeles fire officials said. The accident apparently occurred when the bus driver lost control and hit the middle divider and another object before crashing into the car. Thankfully, no one in the car was injured. The bus driver and the 10 passengers were taken to an area hospital with injuries.
My heart goes out to the critically injured bus passenger. I wish this injured victim the very best for a quick and complete recovery. I also hope the other passengers in the bus did not suffer any major injuries. Please keep the seriously injured victim in your prayers.
Los Angeles Car Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 260 deaths and 27, 110 injuries were reported in the city of Los Angeles as a result of car accidents. In Los Angeles County, car accidents claimed 712 lives and injured 56,475 people during the same period.
Based on this news report, it is hard to tell what caused this dangerous bus accident — specifically, what caused the bus driver to lose control of the vehicle. Was there a vehicle defect or a mechanical malfunction that caused this driver to first hit the center divider? Was there a dangerous condition on the roadway, such as debris, the driver tried to avoid by swerving? Did he suffer a medical condition? Was he distracted at the time of the accident? Did alcohol or drugs play a part in this crash? Was there any type of negligence on the part of the bus driver? The answers to these questions may help determine who or what caused this injury accident.
Bus Accident Liability Issues
If the bus driver’s negligence caused this accident, the injured passengers could file a claim against the transit authority to seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization and other accident-related costs. Bus companies — whether they are public or private carriers — owe the “highest duty of care” to their passengers associated with being a common carrier. This “duty of utmost care” is higher than the negligence duty owed by the bus company to drivers of other vehicles and pedestrians.
If you have been seriously injured in a bus accident, it would be in your best interest to seek legal advice from experienced an Los Angeles bus accident lawyer. It is important in this case that these bus crash victims know and understand their legal rights and options. The best Los Angeles personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation to injured victims and their families.
The Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys 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.