Buses, ferries, taxis, and shuttles are an important part of our transportation system. Especially in the metropolitan Seattle and Bellevue areas. Unfortunately however, bus accidents in Seattle are also a common problem. The people who ride these vehicles expect them to be safe, however this isn’t always the case. Poor vehicle maintenance, training, and human error lead to hundreds of bus accidents in Seattle a year.
Don’t Give Anyone Your Statement
If you’re in a bus accident, the investigators and insurance adjusters for the transit service will call you to get your statement. They do this as a tactic to get you to admit things or make statements they can use against you. They do this so they can deny liability and minimize your claim.
It’s important to speak with an experienced bus accident attorney as soon as possible. That way, you can be advised on what to say and what not to say. Or better yet, not have to say anything at all! With an expert bus accident lawyer on your side, they will take care of the insurance company while you focus on getting better. If you were in a bus accident in Seattle, you should talk with a bus accident attorney today.
Types Of Bus Accidents
Mass transportation has gained a great deal of popularity in the last 10 years. Most of the vehicles on the road are still cars and trucks, however with the growing population many people have started taking the bus. In fact, nearly half of the downtown Seattle commuters take some form of mass transportation. With that said, here are the different types of bus accidents in Seattle.
- Commercial bus accidents: This types of buses include King County Metro buses, Sound Transit buses, Community Transit, school buses, Vanpool, Vanshare, and Ride The Ducks vehicles, etc.
- Private transportation bus accidents: These vehicles include shuttle buses, taxis, limos, carpools, airport shuttles, Microsoft Connectors, and Grey Lines, etc.
Trolley and street car accidents: For example, these would be vehicles like a Lake Union Trolley or a Seattle Streetcar.- Ferry Accidents: Though less common, these accidents are just as dangerous. Washington State Ferries, water taxis, private cruises, and whale watching tours are examples of these.
- Railcar accidents: These can be some of the most frightening accidents, as they often result in serious injuries or death. These include mass transportation vehicles like the Seattle Monorail, Sound Transit Light Rail, Link Light Rail, and the Amtrak.
What Causes Bus Accidents?
With the many different types of bus accidents in Seattle, there are also many different causes for these accidents. Because of this, determining who or what was at fault can be a challenge. That’s why it’s so important to hire a Seattle bus accident lawyer. A Seattle bus accident attorney who knows the legal process, what proof to look for, and how to win your case against the insurance company. That said, the most common causes of bus accidents include:
- Negligence by the bus company. Some bus companies cut corners in some areas to hit the bottom line. Their goals are to raise profits, but in doing so it puts people like you and me at risk on the roads. Things like proper training, enforcing safety measures, and following federal regulations often get left by the wayside to keep the corporate machine running smoothly.
- Negligence by the bus driver. Though the bus driver may have caused the bus accident, a smart attorney will know to look at the company the driver works for to find fault. They do this by looking to see if poor training or being forced to work long hours causing fatigue was the real cause. This then will give you a leg to stand on against the bus company.
- Negligence by other drivers. If another another driver hits the bus and is at fault, then the other driver is liable for the damages.
- Left hand turns. While make left turns, a bus driver’s view is temporarily blocked from seeing other vehicles and pedestrians.
- Blind spots. A blind spot is a danger for all drivers, not just bus drivers. They are the area you cannot see in your mirrors to the side or rear of your vehicle. However, a bus has a much larger blind spot than a typical motor vehicle.
- Bad weather. While drivers may often have plenty of experience driving in the rain, ice, or snow, these conditions still cause many bus accidents in Seattle.
Bus Accident Statistics
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, large truck and bus accidents that resulted in injury increased by 62% from 60,000 in 2009 to 97,000 in 2015 nationwide.- Large truck and bus accidents increased another 8% from 2016 to 2018, jumping from 112,000 in 2016 to 121,000 in 2018.
- From 2008 to 2018, of all the fatal bus accidents nationwide, 12% were intercity buses, 40% were school buses, and 35% were transit buses.
- In 2018, 5,096 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal auto accidents. That is a 48% increase from the 3,432 fatal accidents in 2009.
- The vast majority of fatal (83%) and non-fatal (88%) bus accidents in Seattle occurred during weekdays.
Don’t Wait To Speak With A Bus Accident Attorney in Seattle!
If you were injured in a bus accident in Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, or Federal Way, don’t wait to speak with an attorney! Every day that passes is another day that the insurance adjusters are working towards denying your claim. However, at Premier Law Group, whether you hire us now or several months from now, we don’t charge a penny unless we win! Give us a call and we can start laying the ground work for your case. You deserve justice, and the insurance company will fight hard to prevent you from getting it.
Our expert bus accident lawyers have time tested tactics against the insurance companies. We will go to battle for you; and win! Give us a call for a FREE consultation at 206-285-1743. We would be happy to speak with you and see what we can do to help!