California Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
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.
As a result of this two vehicle collision, there may be a wrongful death claim and multiple serious injuries claims, with fractures, cuts and abrasions, as one witness reported blood everywhere with the injured taken by ambulance, including helicopter, to various hospitals and medical centers, including Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and Loma Linda University Medical Center.
If the bus driver is at fault as reported by the coroner, the victims and their families may look to the insurance coverage of both the church and driver, as well as to investigate if there was some dangerous, unsafe or defective condition with the road which may allow the victims to recover for their injuries and damages against all those responsible. With so many injured, locating sufficient insurance coverage and financial resources is an issue requiring analysis by an experienced California Personal Injury Attorney.
Our firm has been handling bus, other motor vehicle accident, wrongful death and serious injury claims for over thirty five years. One member of our firm was actually in the location of this collision the day before; and you may see what others say about us on our Testimonial page.
If you need any legal assistance, please contact us for a FREE consultation toll free at 866.465.8792 [866.INJURY 2] or click on our contact link.
Our prayers and good wishes are with those injured in this catastrophic collision and their families.