A 50-year-old man suffered serious injuries in a San Diego bus accident after he was hit by a tour bus while crossing the street in El Cajon, California, the afternoon of September 4, 2009. According to a 10news report, the man was crossing Harbor Drive at Pacific Coast Highway when he was hit by the bus and dragged about 20 feet, severing his arm. The accident occurred as the bus was turning from westbound Harbor Drive onto Pacific Coast Highway, San Diego police said. The man who lost his arm in the crash was transported to a local hospital.

My heart goes out to this injured pedestrian and I wish him the very best for a quick and complete recovery. I'm glad he survived this horrific accident. Please keep this injured victim in your prayers.

San Diego Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol's 2007 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were no fatalities, but 45 injuries occurred involving pedestrian accidents in El Cajon, California. In San Diego County as a whole, 51 deaths and 1,068 injuries were reported as a result of pedestrian accidents in 2007.

Based on this news report, it appears that the bus driver failed to notice the pedestrian crossing at the street intersection. I trust the official investigation is looking into whether the tour bus driver was distracted, impaired or negligent in some other way? Hopefully, the results of the investigation will shed more light and bring out the facts of this case.

California Car Accident Law

California Vehicle Code Section 21950 states: "The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.” The same section also states that the driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk “shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of a vehicle or take any other action relating to the operating of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian."

If the bus driver is found at fault for this injury accident, then both he and his employer--the tour bus company--could be held liable for the victim's serious injuries. The injured victim will be able to seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, future loss of earnings because of the loss of his arm and other related damages.

Injured victims of such auto collisions would be well-advised to retain the services of an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all the facts of the case, identify the negligent parties and hold them accountable. A skilled car accident attorney will also be able to determine whether there was a dangerous condition on the roadway that caused or contributed to this accident. If that was the case, the city or governmental agency responsible for maintaining that roadway could also be held liable. Any such claim against a California governmental agency should be filed within 180 days of the accident or injury

Bookmark and Share