Residents and visitors in Seattle use various forms of transportation methods to get to their destinations in the city. Whether an individual uses a personal car or public transportation, a variety of vehicles share the road. Because of that, automobiles, buses, cyclists and pedestrians often interact with one another on city and residential streets throughout the city and metro area. While metro buses are an excellent way to reduce the costs and pollution associated with personal vehicles, these large buses present some dangers to passengers and other travelers on the roadways.
According to recent reports, a fatal bus accident occurred between a metro bus and a bicycle. The Seattle Police Department reported that the bus crash happened near the intersection of 5th Avenue South and South Main Street at around 10:40 p.m. when two people riding on one bike collided with the side of a metro coach bus.
Following the bicycle accident, emergency crews responded. Upon arrival, an adult male was discovered unconscious with life-threatening injuries. He was transported to the hospital where he later died. The other rider on the bicycle, a female, was found conscious with serious injuries. Her status was not immediately known.
An investigation into this accident is still ongoing; however, authorities have indicated that they have ruled out impairment of the bus driver. Once they complete the investigations, authorities should be able to establish the cause of the fatal accident.
If a negligent bus driver is the cause of a fatal bus crash, those impacted by the incident might have legal recourse available to them. A wrongful death claim might be available to the family members of those killed in the incident. This could help them recover compensation for any losses or damages incurred from the accident.
Source: Mynorthwest.com, “Man dies, woman injured following bicycle crash with Metro bus in Seattle,” Eric Mandel, May 15, 2016