Many people in Kansas City ride the bus to commute to work, run errands or visit friends and family. Hopping on the bus allows riders to avoid the hassle of driving in traffic and save money on gas, while also doing something good for the environment. While riding the bus is relatively safe, bus accidents do occur and pedestrians and passengers may be injured.
Recently, a bus accident on a Missouri highway killed a pedestrian and sent one rider to the hospital. The 40-year-old male pedestrian appears to have been attempting to cross the highway when the Kansas City bus struck and killed him. As a result of the accident, a 24-year-old female passenger suffered injuries and was taken to the hospital. Although the driver of the bus was not injured, the bus window to the right of the driver broke upon impact with the pedestrian. The bus driver had recently finished driving school and is now taking some time off from work.
Most bus drivers take their jobs seriously and work hard to prevent accidents. In fact, city bus drivers are required to earn a commercial driver’s license, which includes passing a road test and submitting to a medical examination. Unfortunately, driver error resulting from inexperience, intoxication, distraction or fatigue can result in tragic accidents. By filing a negligence lawsuit, those injured in a bus accident may be able to recover compensation for medical bills and pain and suffering.
Those injured in a bus accident may be facing a long recovery and crushing medical expenses. When the driver is at fault for the accident, those injured need not bear the costs of the accident alone. The amount of damages injured passengers or pedestrians may recover depends on the specific facts of the accident.
Source: The Kansas City Star, “Pedestrian killed in highway bus crash is identified,” Matt Campbell, Dec. 4, 2013