Thousands of Californians, mainly in the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas, use mass transit to avoid dealing with traffic on their own. It’s often more appealing to spend a commute reading a book or browsing through social media posts instead of fighting traffic. Accidents are also generally less common for buses and trains.
However, when accidents involving buses and trains do happen, they can injure many people at once.
A recent crash on the 405 freeway in San Fernando Valley left up to 40 passengers of a bus injured. First responders on the scene found the vehicle upright, stuck in the divider and blocking the road, its front end destroyed. Other vehicles were struck by the bus when it went out of control, although it is unclear if the occupants of those vehicles were injured.
The Los Angeles Fire Department immediately transported 25 of the injured passengers to a local hospital. At least five people, men and women between the ages of 30 and 88, were listed in serious condition once admitted. The southbound section of the freeway was also closed for several hours during the cleanup.
The cause of the crash is not yet known, although California Highway Patrol officers began investigating while the injured passengers were being evacuated. It’s possible that the injured passengers — along with the occupants of any other vehicles caught up in the wake of the bus when it left its lane — may eventually be able to pursue claims for damages against the bus driver or the bus company. Negligence of some sort is often the root cause of major accidents like these.
An attorney can help the victims of mass transit accidents better understand their rights and options. Reimbursement for medical expenses, compensation for pain and suffering and other losses can help victims and their families recover after a tragic accident.
