Six Injured in Panorama City Car Accident
Two pedestrians and a 28-year-old man were hospitalized in serious condition following the two-vehicle collision at Plummer Street and Van Nuys Boulevard
Six people, including two pedestrians, were injured in a two-vehicle collision at the corner of Plummer Street and Van Nuys Boulevard in Panorama City on Friday, April 17, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
A black car and a white car collided, sending the white vehicle halfway onto the sidewalk. Both cars sustained major damage in the crash.
Paramedics took a 28-year-old man from the white car and both pedestrians to local hospitals in serious condition. Three people in the black car suffered minor injuries.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation. Authorities have not released the names of the victims or announced any citations.
What caused the vehicles to collide on Plummer Street?
While investigators work to determine which driver failed to yield or ran a traffic signal, crash reconstructionists will examine tire marks and vehicle damage to establish fault. "It's incredibly scary when a simple commute ends with a trip to the hospital. Modern cars have black boxes that capture your speed and braking in the five seconds before a crash, which helps prove what happened," said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
How do intersection crashes affect innocent bystanders?
Pedestrians on the sidewalk are entirely defenseless when a multi-vehicle collision sends a car off the road. "The confusion after a collision is normal, but it's why we look at the timing of the traffic lights. A stale green light makes people speed up, and that isn't a safe way to enter any intersection," said Stefano Formica, Of Bond Legal
Insurance adjusters often attempt to contact injured pedestrians and passengers within days of a crash, before the full extent of their medical costs and long-term recovery needs are known. Under California law, individuals injured due to another party's negligence may be entitled to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain, and suffering.
California personal injury framework
California follows a pure comparative fault system. Injured parties may recover damages reduced by their percentage of fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of the crash.
Damages include economic losses (medical bills, lost income, rehabilitation) and non-economic losses (pain, suffering, emotional distress).