Unfortunately, innocent pedestrians get hit by buses every day in the United States. Washington is by no means immune from these incidents. Equally scary is the fact that pedestrians can suffer serious injuries when involved in a bus related accident.
It’s important for these victims to know what to do if this situation regrettably arises. Know that our office is here to assist in every capacity that we can. Simply contact us now to get the legal help that makes all the difference.
Get Medical Treatment
Your health and wellness are the number one priorities following a bus accident. Never refuse immediate medical treatment if it’s required. If immediate care is not necessary, contact your physician and schedule an appointment – even if you feel like nothing is wrong. There are times when people suffer from injuries even when they feel fine.
When you see your doctor, don’t lie or exaggerate about any symptoms. Tell the truth and list all the conditions that affect you. Further, make sure you gather records of your care. These documents will serve as the backbone of any injury claim or lawsuit you file.
Be Aware of Common Injuries
While there are countless ways in which a bus can injure a pedestrian, most injuries take place after a bus strikes a pedestrian who is waiting at a bus stop. This includes injuries involving:
- School buses,
- Commuter buses,
- City transit buses, and even
- Tour buses.
Further, note that many bus stop accidents are caused by the bus driver misjudging stopping distances, swerving into bystanders, and failing to see pedestrians in their blind spots.
The most common types of injuries pedestrians suffer after getting stricken by a bus include:
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries,
- Back, neck, and spine injuries, and
- Broken bones and internal injuries.
All of the above are serious conditions on their own. They can also lead to further medical complications if they go uncared for. Again, if you were hit by a bus, please seek medical attention as soon as practically possible.
Contact an Experienced Injury Attorney
If a pedestrian was injured in a bus-related accident, he/she can pursue a claim or lawsuit with the driver of the bus that caused the collision, or with the company or business that the driver works for. You can recover for any damages incurred if you can prove that the bus driver was “negligent.” “Negligence” is a legal term that simply means a driver failed to drive or operate a bus in a reasonable way under the circumstances.
More specifically, an injured person must prove the following elements to show that a bus driver was negligent:
- The bus driver owed you a duty of care,
- The driver breached this duty,
- The breach caused your injuries, and
- You suffered damages
A skilled personal injury lawyer will know how to prove these elements to get you the compensation you deserve.
Available Damages
Under Washington law, there are two types of damages that are available to pedestrians involved in bus accidents. These are:
- Economic damages, and
- Non-economic damages.
Economic damages are those to which a dollar amount can readily be attached. They
often include (but are not limited to):
- Medical bills,
- Property damage,
- Lost wages, and
- Lost earning capacity.
Non-economic damages are those which do not necessarily involve out-of-pocket expenses. They include more subjective losses such as:
- Pain and suffering,
- Emotional distress,
- Inconvenience, and
- Loss of life enjoyment.
Contact Us for Help
Please know that Otorowski Morrow & Golden, PLLC provides free consultations to all our potential clients. The attorneys at our law firm have over 120 years of combined experience representing injured parties. They are tireless in their efforts and passionate in their representation. Do yourself a favor and contact them now for the quality legal assistance you deserve.