An elderly man was tragically killed in a Redondo Beach bus accident last night. According to a KTLA News report, the man and a woman were crossing the street in a marked crosswalk when they were hit by a commuter bus operated by the County of Los Angeles. The elderly woman was hospitalized in serious condition, and the male victim was apparently killed instantly. This tragic incident occurred in the Riviera Village area at about 6:30 p.m. The precise cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Cause of This Bus Accident
Like any other driver on the road, the operator of a bus has a legal duty to maintain constant observation of the roadway ahead to ensure they avoid obvious hazards. Since the accident above occurred after dark, the reconstruction and determination of fault will include an analysis of the lighting conditions in the area of the accident as well as whether the bus headlights illuminated the area of the roadway where the two pedestrians were crossing. Aside from the lighting issue, there will also have to be a “sight-distance” analysis to determine whether the two pedestrians were visible to the bus driver in sufficient time for him to have taken evasive action to avoid the collision. At first blush, whenever a pedestrian is struck in a marked cross-walk (especially where a “Stop” sign is located nearby, as in this case) the driver would appear to be at fault.
Contact a Bus Accident Attorney for Help
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a bus accident, contacting an experienced bus accident attorney can be the most important first step toward obtaining compensation for the injuries and damages suffered. Mr. Ralph has decades of experience handling bus accident cases, from inception to settlement. He can be reached via e-mail or by calling the phone number below. All personal injury consultations are free. Tags: bus accident attorney