Los Angeles Injury Attorney Blog

LOS ANGELES COUNTY -- A horrific accident in Van Nuys involving two vehicles and a bus left several people injured. The collision happened after 9 a.m. Friday in the 12600 block of Sherman Way. According to CBS Los Angeles News, the two vehicles - a black BMW sedan and Toyota Scion - collided with each other, which then caused the BMW to spin out and hit a MTA bus head-on. Following the crash, four passengers in the bus sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene, while the driver of the BMW and Toyota were critically injured and were transported to a hospital for further treatment.

Cause of the Van Nuys Crash

Based on the information provided by news reports, it is unclear as why this collision occurred. Therefore, it is impossible to determine who may be at fault for the accident. Hopefully, police officials investigating this terrible incident can come to a conclusion as to what caused the crash and who is ultimately responsible.

Car Accident Personal Injury Liability

Head-on collisions involving automobiles, buses, and tractor-trailers, can result in catastrophic injures and death to anyone involved. As the accident on November 25th on Sherman Way remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, injured victims or their families would be well-advised to seek a skilled Los Angeles personal injury lawyer.

Experienced attorneys at the law firm of Estey Bomberger, can advise the injured victims of their legal rights in a civil claim, and if necessary, hire a independent investigator to reconstruct the scene of the crash and determine who may be at fault for the incident. The attorney can also help the victims in obtaining the compensation they deserve for medical care expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages relating to this devastating accident.

Continue reading "Several Injured in Van Nuys Accident involving Two Vehicles and Metro Bus " »

RIVERSIDE COUNTY -- A 5-year-old boy, whose name was not released, fell off a moving school bus Monday afternoon, The Press Enterprise reported. The accident happened in Coachella Valley at about 3:13 p.m. on 70th Avenue and Hayes Street near Highway 111. The exact details regarding this terrible incident were not immediately released. However, following the accident, the boy was airlifted to a hospital with moderate injuries.

School Bus Accident Injury Liability

While it is unclear as to what caused this November 14th accident, the family of the child would be well-advised to contact a Riverside personal injury attorney. In complex school bus accidents such as this one, an experienced attorney can help the family understand and protect their legal rights in a civil claim, determine who is responsible, and decide the best course of action in obtaining compensation for the child's injuries. In a personal injury claim, compensation can include medical care expenses, disfigurement, scarring, pain and suffering, or other damages relating to this horrible bus incident.

Continue reading "5-Year-Old Boy Tragically Injured in Coachella Valley School Bus Accident" »

VENTURA - A 12-year-old girl was hit by a school bus Thursday afternoon in front of Balboa Middle School on Woodland Street, KEYT News reported. The bus vs. pedestrian accident was reported shortly after 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2011. According to news reports, the 12-year-old was running across the street when she was struck by a westbound bus operated by the Ventura Unified School District. The student, who was not identified, was taken to Ventura County Medical Center where she was listed in stable condition. The cause of the accident remains under investigation by the Ventura Police Department.

Bus Accident Personal Injury Liability

While police are working to determine who was ultimately responsible for this incident, the parents of the injured girl may benefit from speaking with a California personal injury attorney knowledgeable in the unique legal issues of school zone pedestrian accidents. If the driver of the bus was operating the bus negligently, the family may be entitled to compensation for the young girl's medical care and other damages in a personal injury claim against the school district. A skilled personal injury lawyer can help the victim's family protect their and preserve their rights and understand their legal options following this incident.

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SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY - One person was killed and 23 others were injured Monday afternoon when a church bus crashed on Highway 189, about 70 miles east of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times and multiple media outlets reported. The collision was reported about one-half mile north of Lake Gregory near Crestline at about 11:45 a.m. on February 21, 2011. According to a press release from the San Bernardino Sheriff-Coroner Department, the driver of the bus, Won Seok Chae, 61, of Los Angeles, lost control of the bus on a curve. The bus went over double yellow lines and struck a northbound Nissan Murano SUV head-on before striking a telephone pull and going down an embankment. Chae was extricated at the scene and died at the scene at 1:25 p.m. The rest of the passengers were taken to area hospitals, including Loma Linda Medical Center, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, and Community Hospital of San Bernardino with injuries ranging from minor to major. The cause of the San Bernardino County bus crash is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

Most of the passengers on the bus were middle school and high school students and members of the predominantly-Korean Light of Love Mission Church. Four adults and 18 teenagers were on the bus. According to a deacon at the church, the bus driver was a professional tour bus driver who had volunteered to transport the students to a weekend retreat in Twin Peaks at the Pinecrest Christian Conference Center.

Cause of the Crash

The CHP will thoroughly investigate this accident and provide an official report of the cause of the crash. However, based on the information provided in news reports, it appears that speed may have been a factor. On winding roads such as this stretch of Highway 189, speed is a common cause or contributing factor of accidents such as this bus crash near Crestline. It is also possible that a defective in the bus, such as failing brakes, could be a factor. Hopefully, the investigation by law enforcement will provide answers as to what happened, and who was responsible.

Bus Accident Passenger Injury Liability

California Highway Patrol Officer Mario Lopez told the LA Times that there were no seat belts on the bus. Although seat belts are not required, it is likely that many of the serious injuries sustained in this accident could have been avoided if the passengers had been wearing seat belts. While this devastating accident remains under investigation, the parents and family members of the injured passengers would be well-advised to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable Los Angeles bus accident attorney about this church bus accident and the victims' legal rights. Lawyers who have represented victims of tragic church bus accidents such as this one can explain the unique liability issues that arise from accidents such as this February 21st Pasadena church bus crash in San Bernardino County, and the victims' rights to recover compensation for their serious injuries and related expenses.

Continue reading "One Person Killed, Twenty-Three Injured in Highway 189 Church Bus Crash Near Crestline " »

Less than a week after seven people were injured last Friday in a Los Angeles bus crash, 13 people were injured early Tuesday morning when an MTA bus carrying 11 passengers collided with a truck at West Temple Street and North Hill Street. According to the LA Times, both the driver of the truck, the driver of the bus, and all 11 passengers on the bus were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The cause of the accident is under investigation. ABC7 News reported that both drivers told police they had the green light.

Bus passengers may be entitled to compensation for their injuries sustained in a Los Angeles bus accident. The attorneys at Estey Bomberger have handled numerous bus accident and public transportation injury claims. If you or a member of your family were injured in this accident, contact us for a free consultation of your legal rights and explanation of the unique legal issues surrounding your potential claim. We will not charge any fees unless we recover money for you.

At Estey Bomberger, we work hard to help our clients recover the maximum compensation they are entitled to for their injuries, lost earnings, and physical pain and emotional suffering. We understand the unique legal issues of bus accidents, including the skills and training of the driver, the condition and maintenance of the bus, and the responsibilities of the transit authority following an injury accident. If you have been injured in this August 3rd, 2010 downtown Los Angeles bus accident, you need a skilled bus accident lawyer to make sure your interests are protected. Contact Estey Bomberger today for a free consultation.

Continue reading "13 Injured in MTA Bus Crash at Temple and Hill Streets" »

The Los Angeles Times reported seven people were taken to area hospitals Friday morning after a Metro Bus and Blue Line train collided in downtown LA at Broadway and Washington at 6:56 a.m. Among the injured were the bus driver, the train operator, and passengers on the bus. It was unclear if any of the passengers on the train were injured. The cause of the July 30th Los Angeles bus accident remains under investigation.

Los Angeles Bus Accident Attorneys

The Los Angeles personal injury attorneys at Estey Bomberger have represented injured bus passengers in a number of public transporation personal injury claims. If you have been injured in this bus accident and would like to know more about your legal rights to compensation for your injuries, see our Bus Accident Frequently Asked Questions or contact the law firm of Estey Bomberger at (213)785-6828 to speak with an attorney. All consultations are free, with no obligation.

Continue reading "Seven Injured in Bus vs. Train Crash in Downtown LA " »

A 49-year old La Habra woman riding her bicycle was struck and killed by a Foothill Transit bus Tuesday night, the Whittier Daily News reported. The April 20th Orange County accident occurred at 8:28 p.m. at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and La Habra Boulevard. The Orange County Sheriff Coroner identified the victim as Annette Ferrin-Rodgers. According to reports, the Foothill Transit bus was heading south on Beach Boulevard before it made a left turn onto La Habra Boulevard. Ferrin-Rodgers was in the crosswalk when she was struck by the bus, which was estimated to be going between 15 to 20 mph.

No passengers were on board the bus at the time of the crash. The driver of the bus took a drug and alcohol test, per US Department of Transportation guidelines for any collision involving injury or death. The driver is now on administrative leave while the accident is under investigation.

The Whittier Daily News reported that Annette Ferrin-Rodgers had worked with the U.S. Postal Service for more than 20 years. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family her and everyone who knew and loved her. Please keep her family in your prayers during this surely very difficult time.

Continue reading "Bicyclist Killed in La Habra Crash with Foothill Transit Bus " »

The OC Register reported today that the Orange County Transportation Authority has reached a $7.25 million settlement with a man who was seriously injured when he fell under a bus while attempting to board it on December 14, 2007. The settlement was reached late Tuesday night for a case that was scheduled for trial the next day.

The victim, Ronald E. Cunningham, was a former heating and air conditioning specialist who was already on disability at the time of the accident. The accident occurred at the intersection of Main and LaVeta in Orange. According to news reports, Cunningham had tried to board the bus while it was pulling away from the bus stop. Cunningham reportedly had a blood-alcohol level of .27 and was carrying two 18-packs of beer when he fell under the bus and was run over by the right rear tire.

A spokesman for OCTA said the agency will pay $3.1 million and the rest of the money will come from OCTA's insurance company. The spokesman said that while the OCTA would have rather seen the case go to trial, the insurance company chose to settle the bus accident lawsuit. Cunningham will receive the settlement funds within 30 days.

Continue reading "$7.25 Million Settlement Reached in OCTA Bus vs. Pedestrian Accident " »

Five people were injured in a crash involving a truck and a LACMTA Metro Bus Monday night, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported. The January 11th bus accident occurred shortly after 9:00 p.m. Monday, in the 1800 block of North Glendale Boulevard.

According to police reports, the driver of the truck, who was not identified, was on the offramp of the Glendale (2) Freeway, when he struck a guardrail, went through a red light, and struck the bus. The driver of the truck and four bus passengers were taken to area hospitals. All are expected to survive.

Because this collision began on the freeway offramp, the California Highway Patrol is the agency assigned to the investigation.

Bus accidents are a common occurrence in the Los Angeles Area. This accident is not the first collision on Glendale Boulevard involving a Los Angeles bus. On November 6, 2009, ten people were taken to hospitals after a bus crash very close by, on Glendale Boulevard, near the entrance to the Glendale Freeway (California State Route 2). At least one person suffered critical injuries in that collision.

Continue reading "Five Injured in Metro Bus Accident in Silver Lake Area " »