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Whether you are visiting Seattle and injured in a bus accident or you live in the Seattle area and suffer a bus accident injury while commuting, it is important to know what to do in order to preserve your right to compensation. Bus accidents involving King County Metro Transit buses can be devastating, resulting in serious and deadly injuries to bus passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motor vehicle occupants in Seattle. What steps should you take if you are injured in a bus accident in Seattle? Consider the following recommendations from our Seattle bus accident lawyers.
1. Document the Scene of the Bus Accident
Do your best to document the scene where the bus accident occurred. If you are physically able to take photographs (depending on the severity of your injuries), you should document the wider scene of the crash as well as close-up images of property damages and physical harm. Be sure to obtain from the bus driver, his name, bus number, and incident number. Note the day and time of the accident as well.
2. Ask for Witness Contact Information
If anyone witnessed the bus accident, be sure to obtain witness contact information. Your bus accident attorney will likely want to speak with witnesses to the crash who may be able to support your case. When you fail to obtain witness contact information at the scene, it can be difficult to track down people who might have witnessed the crash at a later date.
3. See a Doctor ASAP to Have Your Bus Accident Injuries Assessed
You need to see a doctor as soon as possible for a medical assessment. Not only can some injuries take hours or days to produce obvious signs and symptoms, but waiting to get medical attention can allow those injuries to worsen.
4. Determine Liability for the Bus Accident
Liability for Seattle bus accidents can be complicated since various parties may be at fault for the crash. Commonly responsible parties include but are not limited to:
- King County Metro Transit;
- Bus driver;
- Mechanic who worked on the bus;
- Driver of another motor vehicle; or
- Designer or manufacturer of a defective bus part that caused the crash.
5. File Your Bus Accident Lawsuit Before the Statute of Limitations Runs Out
The statute of limitations in your case may depend upon whether you are filing a claim against King County Metro Transit or a private party, such as a negligent car or truck driver. Under the Washington State personal injury statute of limitations, most bus accident lawsuits will need to be filed within three years from the date of the collision. If you fail to file your lawsuit within that time window, you will have a time-barred claim and will be ineligible to receive damages in a civil lawsuit.
When you are filing a public or government claim, Washington State law clarifies that, although the claims process is different from an ordinary civil lawsuit, the claim shall be presented to the government agent within the applicable period of limitations within which an action must be commenced.
Contact Our Seattle Bus Accident Attorney Today
Were you injured in a bus crash in the Seattle area? One of our experienced Seattle busing accident attorneys can evaluate your case for you today and discuss your options with you for seeking financial compensation. Contact Khan Injury Law PLLC to learn more about the personal injury services we provide to clients in Washington State.
