A pedestrian was struck and injured by a Metro bus at a Seattle intersection in October. According to the Seattle Herald, the bus driver said he did not see the pedestrian who “came out of nowhere.” The King County Sheriff’s Office was investigating the accident.
Washington State Bus Accidents
Millions of people depend on buses, especially in large, metropolitan areas such as a Seattle. Buses were involved in 11,000 collisions in 2008, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Those accidents injured 24,000 people. Pedestrians are sometimes at risk, as this month’s collision illustrates.
The driver of a bus is required to hold a commercial driver’s license. This means that the driver is trained to operate a large vehicle safely. Because city buses regularly operate in close proximity to pedestrians, the driver of a city bus must be particularly vigilant near crosswalks and street corners.
Washington law states that “drivers and bicyclists must yield to pedestrians on sidewalks and in crosswalks.” Furthermore, “vehicles shall stop at intersections to allow pedestrians and bicycles to cross the road within a marked or unmarked crosswalk.” Essentially, Washington law requires all drivers to be aware of and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or on sidewalks. If a bus driver fails to obey the law, it could be considered negligence.
Washington State Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Navigate the Law
If you have been injured or lost a loved one to a Washington State bus crash, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries or your loss. The Washington State bus accident attorneys at Mariano Morales Law can help you get through the legal process and make sure that the party responsible for your injuries or loss is held accountable. Contact the team today by calling (509) 853-2222 or by using our online contact form for your free initial consultation.
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