Los Angeles, California – A Metro Los Angeles bus collided with a parked car, an incident captured by security cameras, ultimately leading to a legal settlement.
The affected vehicle belonged to Jody Ahrens, who was shocked upon hearing the news. “A security guard approached me and said, ‘Hey, an MTA (Metro) bus crashed into your car.’ I thought he was joking,” Ahrens commented, incredulous.
However, the reality was much more impactful: the Los Angeles MTA bus collision left Ahrens’ 2012 Ford Taurus completely wrecked. After filing a claim with Metro, weeks later, they offered her $7,000 as compensation. Ahrens considered this amount to adequately cover her vehicle’s value.
“That offer was quite generous. Now I have to rent a car for $55 a day. I requested reimbursement for rental expenses, but it was denied,” she added.
To her surprise, Ahrens’ claim was completely rejected by Metro. “I think they’re trying to intimidate me and evade legitimate responsibilities. That’s my conclusion,” Ahrens asserted, determined.
Determined to seek justice, Ahrens took her case to small claims court, where she ultimately secured a victory. The court awarded her $8,100, covering her vehicle loss and some additional expenses for car rentals. However, Metro decided to appeal.
“I demand that the court’s order be upheld,” Ahrens declared firmly.
Only after intervention from the investigative team did Metro finally agree to comply with the court order. In their statement, Metro confirmed making the payment to Ahrens as mandated by the court, including accumulated interest.
The investigative team revealed that, unfortunately, statistics do not favor those filing claims against Metro. In 2022, Metro received a total of 1,721 claims related to bus accidents, yet only resolved 714 cases, representing 41% of claims.
Last year, up until December 1st, Metro received 1,981 similar claims, but only 452 were properly addressed, accounting for just 23%.
In response to the investigative inquiries, Metro assured that it conducts thorough investigations for each claim filed and, if liability is established, is committed to prompt resolution. Additionally, it noted that claims leading to litigation can prolong the resolution process.
Ahrens urges those in similar situations not to give in to adversity. “Don’t let them intimidate you, fight for your rights. If necessary, don’t hesitate to seek legal recourse,” Ahrens emphasized, exemplifying perseverance as key to achieving justice.
