Newport Beach Bus Accident Injures Six

Six people were injured in a Newport Beach bus accident after an Orange County Transit authority bus crashed into a concrete planter in front of a building the night of March 27, 2016. According to a news report in The Daily Pilot, the bus was in an empty parking lot in the 700 block of Newport Center Drive when it went up an embankment and smashed into the planter.

Eight people were on the bus at the time and were able to get out of the bus after the crash. However, the driver and five others complained of pain and were transported to area hospitals. Their injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening. It is indeed fortunate that the injuries in this crash were not critical. We wish all the injured victims the very best for a quick and full recovery.

Accident Statistics

According to California Highway Patrol’s 2013 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were nine fatalities and 447 injuries reported as a result of traffic accidents in the city of Newport Beach. In Orange County as a whole, 165 people died and 13, 837 were injured due to traffic accidents during the same year.

What Caused This Bus Crash?

Based on this news report, it appears that the accident occurred after dark when the bus driver allowed the bus the climb up and embankment and crash into a planter. It is not clear what caused the driver to do that. There are a number of questions here. Was the driver under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs? Did the bus driver have vision problems? Was he or she distracted or inattentive? Was there some type of mechanical malfunction in the bus? Was there inadequate lighting in the parking lot, which may have caused or contributed to this incident? These are just some of the questions that must be answered in order to determine precisely what occurred here and why.

Steps to Take

In this particular case, both the driver and his or her employer, OCTA, can be held liable for the victims’ injuries and damages. Anyone who has been injured in a bus accident would be well advised to take a number of steps to protect his or her rights. Be sure to get your name in the police report. Take photos of the accident scene and your injuries. Get contact information for fellow passengers or anyone else who may have witnessed how the accident occurred. Get prompt medical attention and treatment. Do contact an experienced Newport Beach personal injury attorney who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that the negligent parties are held liable.