Female Pedestrian Killed In Downtown, Dallas Greyhound Bus Accident By The Intersection of Elm Street and Lamar Street
DALLAS, TEXAS (January 28, 2023) – A woman has tragically died in a Dallas Greyhound bus accident near the intersection of Elm Street and Lamar Street.
Dallas County officials are saying that the collision took place not long after midnight on Friday. A woman was walking through a crosswalk when the rear tires of a greyhound bus ran her over.
The bus had just left the Downtown Dallas Greyhound Station and was heading to Monterrey, Mexico. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.
Sadly, the woman died due to the severity of her injuries. The Greyhound bus driver told police he did not see the victim before the crash.
Liability For Dallas Bus Accidents
Buses are typically very safe for their passengers. But they can also be extremely dangerous for pedestrians. According to the Journalist’s Resource, “on average, about 63,000 buses [of all kinds] are involved in an accident each year; about 14,000 result in an injured person, and 325 result in a fatal injury.” There are a number of steps that bus drivers should take in order to avoid causing accidents.
- Bus drivers should check their blind spots before making turns.
- Bus drivers may need to use a spotter when backing out of a bus parking spot.
- Bus drivers should be well rested before heading out onto the road.
Bus companies are considered common carriers under the law. Common carriers like bus companies are held to a “high degree of care” in Texas and must do everything in their power to safeguard the well-being of their passengers. See, for example, VIA METROPOLITAN TRANSIT v. Curtis MECK. To that end, bus drivers must get a commercial license and undergo specialized training. Operating a commercial bus is substantially more difficult and presents more challenges than driving a passenger vehicle.
Pursuant to Texas Transportation Code § 552.008, all drivers shall exercise due care to avoid hitting any pedestrian in the roadway. Drivers must be particularly cautious when going through any sidewalk or area regularly used for pedestrian traffic. If a bus driver failed to slow down and hit a pedestrian, the company that they work for could be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their driver – insofar as those drivers were working within the course and scope of their job duties. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any bus accident.
- Surveillance footage from around the bus should be examined.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- The bus driver’s logbook should be examined.
When a bus driver runs over a pedestrian without realizing what happened, this tends to be a strong indicator that the bus driver was not paying sufficient attention to the road. The family of any person that is killed in a bus accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Dallas Bus Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our deepest condolences to the family of the woman killed in this Greyhound bus accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of the victim’s family.
Do you need more information about a Greyhound bus accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance after a collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
