Bus Accidents

Los Angeles Bus Crash Injures 8 People, Including Inmates and Military Personnel

May 20, 2011 | by Robert Walch

A four bus crash in Los Angeles has resulted in eight injuries to both prison inmates and military personnel. According to the Los Angeles Times, the bus accident caused the shutting of the 5 freeway northbound in Commerce.

Three of the buses were carrying military personnel and the fourth bus was carrying Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department inmates. Six military personnel were injured as well as two inmates. One Los Angeles bus accident victim suffered serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to the hospital.

The four buses were traveling in a line, following each other in the fast lane of the 5 freeway, south of Washington Boulevard when the Los Angeles bus crash occurred. Apparently a car slowed in front of the first bus, which was carrying the inmates. The bus driver slammed his brakes, which lead to the multi bus collision in Commerce.

In bus collisions, often the passengers are not wearing seat belts, which can lead to severe injuries in serious accidents. Because buses have a much longer braking time than a smaller car, bus drivers should always keep a larger space cushion between the bus and the cars or buses around them. In a scenario like this, with the buses traveling in the fast lane, probably at high speeds, an extra cushion could have prevented this bus accident.

Update: Bus Driver Killed, 23 Injured in Lake Arrowhead Church Bus Accident

February 22, 2011 | by Robert Walch

Regarding the tragic church bus accident yesterday, the Los Angeles Times reported additional information today. Apparently, the bus was from a Korean Church in Pasadena, The Light of Love Mission Church. The bus driver was killed and 23 were injured, ten seriously, when the bus apparently crossed over the dividing line on a curve near Lake Arrowhead, struck a car and went down a steep snow covered embankment yesterday.

The bus was traveling down the sharp curves on California 189 in the Lake Arrowhead region when it collided with an SUV traveling in the other direction. The bus apparently went through a utility pole, plunging about 25 feet into a grove of trees, which eventually stopped the bus.

The driver of the bus was identified as Won Seok Chae, from Los Angeles. He was found dead at the scene. The bus driver was said to be a professional tour bus driver who volunteered his time to drive the church’s bus.

The coroner’s office stated that Chae lost control of the church bus as it rounded a curve, crossing over into the opposite lane, colliding with the other vehicle. A man and a woman in the vehicle struck by the bus were also injured in the Lake Arrowhead bus accident.

San Bernardino Bus Accident Kills One and Injures Many on Church Retreat

February 21, 2011 | by Robert Walch

Earlier today, a bus accident in San Bernardino, California, killed one and injured many after a bus carrying a predominately Korean church group collided head on with a fire truck driven by an off duty firefighter. According to the Southwest Riverside News Network, the bus passengers were from the Light of Love Mission Church in Pasadena.

The San Bernardino bus accident occurred on Highway 89, near Lake Gregory Drive, in San Bernardino, California. After the collision, the bus went down a ravine of about 50 feet, before hitting a power pole and then a tree.

In addition to the person on the bus who was killed in the bus accident, 24 more people were taken to hospitals for their injuries. According to CBS2, ten of the victims suffered serious injuries, while 13 had minor or moderate injuries from the crash.

The other vehicle involved in the San Bernardino accident was a sport utility vehicle belonging to the fire department, driven by an off duty firefighter and his wife, who was also seriously injured in the accident.

It is unknown at this time whether it was the bus driver or the firefighter who caused this collision. Because there are serious injuries and at least one possible San Bernardino wrongful death claim, a considerable investigation will need to be conducted to determine the liability for this accident, and who will have to pay for the damages incurred by so many people. If it was the fire vehicle, the injured bus passengers may need to file a government claim for damages with the city in order to preserve their rights. If the bus driver was at fault, it will have to be the insurance company for the bus company that covers most of the wrongful death and injury damages.