Five people were injured in an Orange County car accident after an OCTA bus crashed into a car near an intersection in Fountain Valley, California, the afternoon of August 10, 2009. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the bus was headed north on Harbor Boulevard when it hit a silver BMW car. The driver of the BMW had apparently pulled onto Harbor near Heil Avenue, ahead of the OCTA bus. Four of the injured bus-car accident victims were reportedly bus passengers. Several passengers were taken off the bus with neck braces on. Four bus passengers and one person in the car were taken to hospitals complaining of back and neck pain.

I hope none of the victims was seriously injured in this Fountain Valley car accident. I wish those who were injured the very best for a quick and complete recovery.

Orange County Car Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), four fatalities and 476 injuries were reported in Fountain Valley as a result of car accidents. In Orange County as a whole, 178 deaths and 14,185 injuries occurred in 2007 involving car accidents.

Based on this news report, it is not clear whose fault this bus-car accident was. Bus companies – whether it is the local transit authority or a private carrier – owe their passengers the utmost duty of care. That means these bus companies have a duty to transport their passengers safely.

Car Accident Liability Issues

There are a few questions here. Did the driver of the BMW pull out on to the street when he or she should have yielded right-of-way to the bus? Did the bus driver have sufficient time to stop before striking the car? Were any of the drivers (the bus driver or the driver of the BMW) impaired, distracted or driving recklessly? If the driver of the BMW was at fault, he or she could be held liable for the accident and the injuries. If the bus driver's actions caused or contributed to this car accident, the driver and his employer, OCTA, could also be held liable. If there was a dangerous condition on the roadway, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held responsible.

In such car accident cases, injury victims would be well-advised to consult with an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer, who will make sure all aspects of the case are analyzed and their legal rights are protected. The best Orange County personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive initial consultation.

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