A bus accident this morning in Garden Grove has left three people with minor injuries. According to the story in the Orange County Register, the collision occurred on the eastbound 22 freeway when the bus crashed into the rear of an Acura, forcing it into the back of a Ford Mustang. The bus, reportedly operated by the Orange County Transportation Authority, was merging onto the freeway at Harbor Boulevard when it rear-ended the Acura. The three victims were taken to a local hospital for treatment. See the OC Register bus accident story and photographs HERE.
In another Orange County auto accident, four vehicles collided in Huntington Beach, leaving one dead and three more injured. According to the Register article, the accident happened on Bolsa Chica Street and Tasman Drive just after 7:30 a.m. The cause of the crash is still under investigation and the condition of the three injured parties is currently unknown. See the OC Register Huntington Beach accident story and photographs HERE.
With regard to the bus accident, the duty of a driver operating a bus is even higher than the typical vehicle operator. A bus operated for hire, such as the OCTA bus here, is considered a "common carrier" under the law, and they are bound by law to carry safely those whom they take into their vehicles, and owe both a duty of utmost care and the vigilance of a very cautious person towards their passengers. Common carriers are responsible for any, even the slightest, negligence and are required to do all that human care, vigilance, and foresight reasonably can do under all the circumstances. In the accident above, it would appear the bus operator violated this duty when he rear-ended the Acura, and the County of Orange would therefore be liable for the injuries and damages sustained by the victims. As for the Huntington Beach accident, at this point, there is simply no way of knowing who was responsible for this roadway tragedy. Given the fact there was a fatality in that collision, it is a near certainty that law enforcement will perform a complete accident reconstruction to determine fault.
Compensation for the victims of serious or fatal traffic accidents should be an important concern for all Californians. When a driver negligently causes a serious or fatal accident, they should be held accountable for the injuries and damages to the victims and those family members left behind. An attorney with experience at handling Orange County auto accidents can make a fair assessment of these claims. Mr. Ralph has more than 20 years years of experience handling traffic accident cases. He can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE CONSULTATION.
Have you or a loved one been injured or killed in an accident caused by a negligent or reckless driver?
Nothing in this post is intended to suggest the Law Offices of Paul W. Ralph currently represents anyone involved in the news story above. This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter. A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.
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