A man suffered critical injuries in a Seal Beach car accident after a vehicle crashed into the bus bench on which he was sitting. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the major injury crash occurred the night of July 23, 2012. The vehicle drove into a bench inside a bus shelter on Seal Beach Boulevard just north of Pacific Coast Highway.
The victim was trapped in the debris of the collapsed bus shelter. Police say he was sitting on the bench just before the vehicle crashed into it. The victim was transported to an area trauma center where he has been listed in critical condition. The driver stopped at the scene and talked to officials, but it is not clear why the crash occurred. Officials do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved. Anyone who witnessed this crash is asked to contact police at 562-799-4100, ext. 1612.
My heart goes out to the injured victim of this car accident. I wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Car Crash Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), one person died and 172 were injured as a result of Seal Beach car accidents in 2009. During the same year, 141 fatalities and 13,373 injuries were reported due to car crashes in Orange County.
What Caused This Crash?
Based on this news report, it appears that the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the bus bench trapping and severely injuring the victim. There are several questions here. Why did the driver lose control of the vehicle? Was he or she traveling at an unsafe rate of speed? Was the driver distracted or inattentive? Was there some type of vehicle defect or malfunction that may have caused or contributed to the crash? Were any other vehicles involved? I trust investigators are looking for eyewitnesses to come forward so that they can determine precisely what occurred here and why.
Fault and Liability
If the driver is determined to have been at fault, then, he or she can be held liable for the injuries and damages caused. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. Victims would also be well advised to contact an experienced Orange County personal injury attorney who will analyze all facets of the incident and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable.