Bus accidents and hit-and-runs

Avoiding an accident is not always possible on Washington roads. Those hurt in a collision could file an insurance claim or a civil lawsuit to recover their losses. Regrettably, some negligent drivers cause property damage, inflict harm and then flee the scene. Hit-and-run collisions make things complicated for the injured party, and some may wish to avoid areas known for hit rates of accidents. Staying clear of buses might also help cut down on risks.

A dangerous area of traffic

King County Metro allows people to take public transportation to work and other locations. Many feel safer inside a bus than a smaller car, thanks to the protective size and frame a bus affords. No one should assume that riding a bus will always be safe, however. Statistics show that since 2018, there have been 104 preventable bus accidents.

At least with the bus service, the drivers are professionally trained and have rules and policies to follow after an accident. That might not be the case when hit by a reckless driver of a privately-owned vehicle.

Injury victims must be mindful that they can only file a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent party. If the bus driver did nothing wrong and the fault lies with a distracted truck driver, the commercial driver is the one who would likely face claims.

Hit-and-run troubles

Hit-and-run accidents involve drivers leaving the scene after an accident. If someone crashes into a public transportation bus, they might pull away and flee. However, buses equipped with video monitoring may record the license plate, allowing the police to track down the driver.

When a hit-and-run driver inflicts severe injuries on others or causes a fatality, subsequent lawsuits could seek large sums in compensation awards.