I Got Hit by a Bus. Can I File a Claim?

Key Takeaways

• Seattle bus crashes often involve wide turns, blind spots, frequent stops, and sudden braking.
• Bus accidents commonly cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, broken bones, internal injuries, and lasting emotional trauma.
• Quick medical care and prompt reporting create records that connect injuries directly to the crash.
• Liability may fall on the driver, transit agency, maintenance contractor, or another negligent driver involved.
• Washington law reduces damages proportionately for contributory fault but does not bar recovery entirely.

A routine ride across Seattle can turn dangerous in seconds. A bus driver misjudges a turn, brakes too late, or simply fails to notice a car sitting in a blind spot, and what follows often includes medical bills, lost wages, and real confusion over who is responsible. Washington reported 178 total bus crashes in 2025, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, including nine fatalities and 55 injuries, and preliminary 2026 figures already point to dozens more people injured statewide. Those who have got hit by a bus in Seattle are not alone in dealing with this uncertainty.

Dubin Law Group’s Seattle bus accident lawyers work with residents who need clear answers about their legal options after a bus accident, from understanding what caused the crash to knowing who may be held responsible for the resulting harm.

Talk to Our Seattle Bus Accident Lawyers

At Dubin Law Group, our Seattle attorneys help people injured in bus accidents understand their legal options and pursue compensation for their injuries and losses. With nearly 200 years of combined experience, we help clients navigate complex liability and insurance issues after a bus accident and work toward the best possible outcome.

request free consultation call us at (425) 800-8000

Common Risks While Traveling Near a Bus

Seattle’s dense bus corridors, including routes operated by King County Metro and Sound Transit, put drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians in close contact with large vehicles throughout the day. Buses handle differently than passenger cars, and several conditions repeatedly show up in crash reports across the city. Common risk factors include:

• Wide Turns: Buses swing wide through intersections and can cross into an adjacent lane without warning.
• Blind Spots: Large mirrors and long side panels create gaps where a car, bike, or pedestrian can go unseen.
• Frequent Stops: Buses stop often along set routes, and following traffic may not react in time.
• Sudden Braking: A quick stop can cause a rear-end collision behind the bus or throw seated passengers forward.
• Limited Visibility: Rain, darkness, and crowded sidewalks near stops make it harder for drivers to see pedestrians nearby.

Common Injuries from Bus Accident Crashes

The size and weight difference between a bus and a passenger vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian often results in injuries that are more severe than those from a typical two-car collision. People injured by a bus in Seattle frequently experience harm that requires extended treatment and follow-up care. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: A sudden jolt or impact can cause concussions or more serious brain trauma.
• Spinal Cord and Back Injuries: Herniated discs, fractures, and nerve damage can affect mobility long-term.
• Broken Bones: High-impact crashes frequently cause fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis.
• Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma can damage organs even when no external wound is visible.
• Emotional Trauma: Anxiety, sleep disruption, and lingering fear of buses or traffic are common after a serious crash.
• Cuts and Bruises: Even a low-speed impact can cause lacerations needing follow-up care.

Steps to Take After a Bus Accident

Acting quickly after a crash can make a meaningful difference in both physical recovery and the strength of a future claim. Seeking medical attention right away creates a record connecting any injury to the incident, even when symptoms seem minor at first. Reporting the crash to law enforcement and, when applicable, to the transit agency operating the bus preserves an official account of what happened. Collecting photos of the scene, the vehicles involved, and any visible injuries helps establish what occurred before memories fade or evidence disappears.

Anyone who has got hit by a bus in Seattle should also be cautious when speaking with insurance adjusters, since early statements made under stress can be used later in ways that do not reflect the entire picture. Saving pay stubs, medical bills, and repair estimates helps document the financial toll the crash has created, supporting a clearer and more complete claim moving forward. Writing down the time, location, and weather conditions while the details are still fresh can also help an attorney reconstruct exactly how the collision unfolded.

Who Can Be Liable for a Bus Accident in Washington?

Responsibility after a bus crash in Seattle can extend beyond the driver alone.

Depending on the circumstances, liability may fall on the bus operator, the transit agency, a maintenance contractor responsible for the vehicle’s mechanical condition, or another driver whose actions caused the collision.

Many buses in Seattle, including those operated by King County Metro or Sound Transit, are run by local government entities, which changes how a claim proceeds. Under RCW 4.96.010, local governmental entities are liable for damages arising from the tortious conduct of their officers, employees, or volunteers to the same extent as a private person or corporation, though filing a claim within the required time frame is a condition of pursuing a lawsuit.

Anyone who got hit by a bus operated by a public transit agency should understand that these claims often involve additional notice requirements and shorter deadlines than a typical car accident case, making early legal guidance especially useful. Identifying the correct responsible party early on shapes how the entire claim moves forward.

Compensation Damages Available

A successful claim after a bus accident can address both the financial and personal toll the crash has created. Compensatory damages are intended to cover the losses a person actually suffered rather than punish the party at fault. Damages in a bus accident case may include medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering connected to the injuries.

Washington also applies a comparative fault standard, meaning a person’s own actions can affect the final award without necessarily preventing recovery altogether. Under RCW 4.22.005, contributory fault chargeable to a claimant reduces the amount awarded for damages proportionately, but it does not bar recovery entirely. This distinction matters for people who are unsure whether their own actions near the bus stop or roadway might affect a claim, since partial responsibility does not automatically eliminate the right to compensation for the remaining share of harm.

Injured in Seattle? Don’t let insurance companies decide your future. Our personal injury attorneys stand up for your rights — and we don’t get paid until you do.

Matthew D. Dubin

request free consultation call us at (206) 800-8000

Contact a Bus Accident Lawyer in Seattle, WA

Contact Dubin Law Group today to discuss what happened and learn about the options available to you. Our team helps Seattle residents who got hit by a bus understand liability, deadlines, and the damages they may be able to pursue. Call us at 206-800-8000 to schedule a conversation about your situation and take the next step toward moving forward.

Matthew D. Dubin

Matthew D. Dubin has represented injured people throughout Washington since 1995. He is the founding attorney of Dubin Law Group and focuses his practice on personal injury claims involving motor vehicle accidents, dangerous products, premises liability, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death.

Education

• License Number: 25378
• University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, Washington – J.D.
• Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut – B.A.

request free consultation call us at (206) 800-8000

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5 months ago

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