California Injury Blog
Six people sustained injuries after a Los Angeles car accident involving a Montebello Transit bus and a car the afternoon of October 28, 2009, the Whittier Daily News reports. The collision happened at the intersection of Whittier Boulevard and Bluff Road, Montebello police officials said. The car-bus crash injured five people on the bus and the driver of the car. Police are looking into what caused this injury accident.
The extent of the victims’ injuries is not known, but I hope and pray that none of the victims was seriously injured. I wish them all a speedy and complete recovery from their injuries.
Car Accidents in Los Angeles
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were six fatalities and 290 injuries involving car accidents in Montebello. In Los Angeles County as a whole, 712 fatalities and 56,475 injuries were reported in 2007 as a result of car accidents. Not too long ago, in July, 14 people were injured after a Montebello Transit bus and a van collided at the intersection of Whittier Boulevard and Concourse Avenue. At least four people on the bus were seriously injured in that accident.
In this particular case, based on the news report, it seems to me that this bus accident was the result of one of the drivers not yielding right-of-way at the intersection. The fault here rests on the party that did not have the right-of-way at this Montebello intersection and may have very well run a red light and caused this collision. Running a red light is a serious traffic violation. 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.”
Liability issues in Bus Accidents
In this particular collision, it will be critical to find out who was at fault. If the car’s driver is at fault, then he or she could be held liable for injuries caused to the people on the bus. If the bus driver failed to yield right-of-way to the motorist and caused the collision, then he and his employer – the city transit authority – could be held liable. Bus operators–whether they are public or private carriers – owe their passengers the highest “duty of care.” This means that they are responsible for transporting passengers safely to their destination.
In such cases, injured victims would be well-advised to retain the services of an experienced Los Angeles personal injury claim lawyer who will follow up with the official investigation, identify the negligent parties and make sure the victims’ legal rights are protected. In any accident, it is important that the injured victims or their families refrain from talking to other parties’ attorneys or insurance adjusters before they retain and talk to their own personal injury lawyer. Victims should get medical attention for their injuries right away and also remember not to sign any settlement agreements. It’s important that you first get someone on your side who will make sure that your legal rights and interests are protected.
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.