Four-vehicle crash involving Sheriff’s bus results in minor injuries.
Last month, a Sheriff’s Department bus carrying seven inmates was involved in an accident on the 170 Freeway heading south towards downtown LA. A traffic accident involving prison inmates may sound like the setup for an action film, but in fortunately this accident was not so dramatic. Only minor injuries—and no escapes—were reported.
The accident occurred in early morning traffic on the southbound side of the 170. According to Sgt. Greg Sallcido, a spokesman for the LA County Sherriff’s Department, the accident was caused by a vehicle that moved across a double yellow line and into the carpool lane where the bus was driving. The bus initially hit this vehicle, which then went back across the freeway, hitting two other passenger cars on the way.
The individuals in these vehicles suffered moderate injuries and were taken to a hospital in Burbank. The two Sherriff’s deputies on board the bus, as well as 6 of the 7 inmates, reported minor injuries including sore backs and were taken to a different hospital for examination.
In this particular case, it seems the biggest casualty of the accident was probably suffered by the judicial system. You see, the inmates were on their way to court appearances in downtown LA at the time of the accident.
Understanding Bus Accident Injuries
Though the injuries in this accident were not severe, they easily could have been. Because many types of buses do not have the same safety features as passenger vehicles, serious injuries are possible.
If you have been injured in a bus accident—as a bus passenger or as a passenger in another vehicle—it is important to understand that there may be many different responsible parties that could potentially be targeted in a personal injury suit. This could include:
- Bus Driver: If the driver’s errors caused or contributed to the accident, they could be held liable for your injuries.
- Bus Company: Bus companies are expected to maintain certain standards of driver and vehicle safety. Failure to do so could make them liable for injuries.
- Bus Manufacturer: If a mechanical defect in the bus caused the accident, the bus manufacturer could potentially be liable for any injuries that may result.
- Other Drivers: If the actions of any other drivers caused or contributed to the accident, they can and should be held responsible in a bus accident injury lawsuit.
Remember, it is possible for blame to be shared among multiple parties, in which case each party would be responsible for the percentage of your damages corresponding to their percentage of liability for the accident.
Make sure you do not miss out on any opportunities for full and fair compensation by hiring Fernando D. Vargas as your bus accident attorney.
