Five Children and Staff Member Injured in Sylmar School Parking Lot Accident
Five Children and Staff Member Injured in Sylmar School Parking Lot Accident
Six pedestrians, five of them students, suffered injuries after a driver plowed into a group of people in a school parking lot in Sylmar the afternoon of October 11, 2016. According to a KABC news report, the collision occurred outside the Sylmar Educational Complex in the 13300 block of Glenoaks Boulevard, which houses three schools. A parent driving a black SUV was picking up his child when he accidentally pressed the accelerator.
The car collided with another vehicle and struck the pedestrians who were in the school parking lot connecting the campuses. Officials said the parent’s gas pedal got stuck and he jumped the curb and hit the students and one staff member. All six victims sustained injuries that were not life threatening. They were transported to area hospitals for treatment. The incident is still under investigation.
Our thoughts and prayers are with these injured victims. We are relieved to note that they were not seriously hurt. We wish them the very best for a quick and full recovery.
What Caused This Crash?
Based on this news report, it appears that this pedestrian accident occurred in a school parking lot. The parent apparently hit the gas instead of the brakes. The report says the gas pedal “became stuck.” There are still a number of unanswered questions here. What caused the parent in this case to step on the gas pedal? Did his foot slip? Was he distracted or inattentive at the time? Did a vehicle defect or mechanical malfunction cause or contribute to this injury collision? We trust officials are looking into these and other issues order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.
Liability Issues
If the driver in this crash was at fault, then, he could be held liable for the injuries and damages caused. If the collision was caused by a mechanical malfunction or vehicle defect, the automaker could also be held liable. Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, rehabilitative therapy, pain and suffering and emotional distress.
Injured victims would also be well advised to contact an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.
