At least one student was injured in an Orange County car accident after a school bus with more than 80 children on board collided with a Toyota Tundra the morning of April 23, 2010. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the crash occurred at the intersection of Mira Loma Way and Lawrence Avenue, in Anaheim, as the bus was taking the children to Rio Vista Elementary School. One student was transported to a hospital with injuries. He complained of chest pains. California Highway Patrol officials are saying that they have received conflicting statements from witnesses about who was at fault. An investigation is ongoing.


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It is indeed fortunate that there were no more injuries in this bus crash. I hope the student who was taken to the hospital was not seriously injured. I wish this injured victim the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 21 fatalities and 2,018 injuries involving Anaheim car accidents. In Orange County as a whole, 152 people died and 13,414 were injured as a result of car accidents in 2008.

Right-of-Way Issues

Based on this news report, it is tough to tell who was at fault for the accident. What we do know is that this crash occurred at a street intersection. It appears that one of the vehicles failed to yield right-of-way. According to California Vehicle Code section 21800 (a): "The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from a different highway."

Fault and Liability

In this particular case, if the driver of the pickup truck was at fault, then he or she could be held liable for the injuries and damages caused. If the school bus driver was at fault, the bus company and possibly, the school district, could be held liable. Please remember that any claim against a governmental entity in California must be filed within six months of the accident or injury. Injured victims in such cases could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy, pain and suffering, and other related damages. An experienced Anaheim personal injury lawyer will be able to advise victims and their families about their legal rights and options in such cases.

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The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

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