A pedestrian was killed after being hit by a bus in Redondo Beach Wednesday evening.
The accident happened about 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of Catalina Ave. and Ave. I in the Riviera Village shopping district. According to the Redondo Beach Police Department, an elderly couple was crossing the street in a crosswalk, walking northbound, when the bus struck them. The bus driver was turning left from southbound Catalina Ave. onto Ave. I. The intersection is a four-way stop.
Both pedestrians were pinned beneath the bus. Allen Shall, 83-years-old, was pinned beneath the front right wheel. A tow truck had to lift the bus in order for emergency responders to reach his body. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. His wife, Lynn Shall, was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
According to witnesses, the elderly couple were walking arm in arm when they were hit.
The commuter bus was operated by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. It was carrying passengers at the time of the accident.
Redondo Beach resident Heidi Davidson believes the crosswalk is dangerous and that the intersection needs a traffic signal. She believes that drivers are easily distracted because so many things are going on in the area.
Suing a Bus Company
When making a claim against a bus company, several steps must be taken immediately in order to lock in liability, i.e., prove that the bus driver was at fault for the accident. The more serious the injuries, or if death resulted, the harder the bus company will fight and the more money they will spend in an attempt to contest liability.
The lawyer for a bus accident victim should immediately demand that the bus company turn over a copy of video from the bus’s dash cam. The lawyer should also demand that the bus company provide the contact information for all passengers on the bus at the time of the accident. The injury victim’s attorney should obtain statements from the bus passengers, as well as any other witnesses, as soon as possible after an accident. The location of the accident site should be scouted in order to determine if video surveillance footage from any neighboring businesses or residences could have captured the accident.
Claims Filing Deadline
If the bus was owned or operated by a governmental entity, as was the case in this bus accident, an injury victim or their family must file a Claim for Damages with that governmental entity within six months of the accident, or the injury claim is waived.
If you or a loved one has suffered injury or death as the result of being hit by a bus, you should speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. McGee, Lerer & Associates is a Long Beach personal injury law firm that represents victims of bus accidents and pedestrian accidents. Our accident attorneys represent injury victims throughout Long Beach and the South Bay. An attorney at our firm is available 24/7 for a free consultation. If you hire our firm, there is no upfront fee, and no fee whatsoever unless we win your case.