Posted in Bus Accident,Personal Injury on November 6, 2016
Woman Seriously Injured after Pedestrian Accident Involving MTA Bus in Nashville
A 64-year-old woman was seriously injured when she was hit and then dragged by a Metro Transit Authority Bus in Nashville on Friday morning.
WKRN.com reports that the accident occurred just after 6:30 a.m. at the Music City Central bus terminal on 400 Charlotte Avenue in the downtown area of the city.
Metro Nashville Police report that the woman had just exited the bus to cross Fifth Avenue when the bus, which was crossing Charlotte Avenue, struck her and dragged her along the roadway for around 50 yards before it stopped.
After an investigation, officers with the MNPD discovered that the woman is a state employee who frequently rides the bus for work. The woman was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to receive treatment for life-threatening injuries, but later improved and was recently listed in stable condition.
Police say that woman attempted to cross Fifth Avenue when she had a “Don’t Walk” signal on the crosswalk and the bus had a green light.
Emergency responders closed Fifth Avenue from Deaderick to Gay Streets as they worked to investigate the accident.
4 Bus Safety Tips for Drivers, Riders, and Pedestrians
Buses provide a great method of transportation in Nashville that help reduce traffic congestion and emissions, but they can occasionally pose dangers. Knowing how to ride a bus safely—as well as walk, drive, and bike near them—can significantly decrease your risk of being involved in a bus accident.
Follow these tips to stay safe around buses in Nashville and throughout Middle Tennessee:
The safest place to wait for a bus is at a designated bus stop. When a bus arrives, wait for it to make a complete stop and allow all passengers to exit before you attempt to board. When exiting a bus, wait for the bus to make a complete stop before exiting.
Passengers frequently walk up and down aisles on buses to get to their seats or on their way to the exit. Bags and other personal belongings can create serious trip hazards, which can be particularly dangerous to you and other riders—especially when the bus is in motion. Always keep the aisles clear to allow other rides to move throughout the bus safely.
If you’re waiting to cross the street and get a walk signal but a bus is stopped in front of you, wait for it to leave the area before you enter the intersection—even if you have a walk signal. Buses are large vehicles that not only block your view of the roadway and oncoming traffic, but they also make it impossible for drivers to see you.
Like semi-trucks and tractor-trailers, buses significantly outweigh passenger vehicles. Their increased weight makes it more difficult for them to stop and significantly increases the distance that it takes for them to slow down. When you’re driving near a bus, avoid switching lanes in front of it, especially in heavy traffic or if you know you’ll need to slow down and stop soon. You should also avoid following buses too closely, as you’ll be unable to see traffic moving in front of it and could be at risk of a rear-end collision.
The Nashville bus accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law know that MTA buses are valuable for many residents of the city. They provide an inexpensive and practical alternative to driving, biking, or walking, but all residents should be aware of the unique dangers that buses can create if they aren’t given the respect and caution they deserve.
If you or someone you know was injured in a pedestrian accident that was caused by the negligent driver of a car, truck, SUV, or bus, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses. To find out how our legal team may be able to assist you during this time, just dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form.
