California Injury Blog
At least five people were injured in a Los Angeles crash when a dump truck collided with a Metro bus. According to an NBC Los Angeles news report, the incident occurred the morning of August 31, 2016 next to the 405 Freeway on Jefferson Boulevard. The Metro Transit Authority bus was traveling east on Jefferson Boulevard. A dump truck carrying gravel was driving off of the northbound off ramp of the 405 Freeway when it struck the bus. There were six people on the bus including the driver when the crash occurred.
Four people were transported to the hospital. Two of the four people transported, the truck driver and a bus passenger were classified as “immediate,” which means they required medical attention right away. California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash. The traffic signal appeared to have been working after the crash. So, it is not clear if the collision was the result of a mechanical problem or the truck driver’s error.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to those injured in this crash. We wish them the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Traffic Accident Statistics
According to CHP’s 2013 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 234 fatalities and 24,789 injuries reported as a result of traffic collisions in the city of Los Angeles. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 585 people died and 50,917 were injured due to traffic accidents during the same year.
Causes and Compensation Issues
Based on this news report, it appears that this collision occurred at a location that is monitored by traffic signals. There are several questions here. Did the truck’s driver fail to stop at the light or fail to yield the right of way to the bus? Did a mechanical malfunction in the dump truck cause the collision? Did driver fatigue or driver distraction play a part in this crash? We trust officials are looking into these and other issues in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.
If the truck driver is determined to have been at fault, he and his employer could be held liable for the injuries and damages caused. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, rehabilitation and pain and suffering. Injured victims would also be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney to obtain more information about their legal rights and options.