Bus Accident Report Writing

Bus accidents can leave passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers seriously injured, and because most buses have no seatbelts, even a low-speed crash can throw riders into seats, poles, or the floor. If you were hurt in a bus crash anywhere in Washington, the bus accident lawyers at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner can help you understand who is responsible and how to pursue fair compensation. This guide explains how bus accident claims work in Washington, including how to document the crash, who can be held liable, and the special rules that apply when a public transit agency is involved.

The Seattle bus accident lawyers at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC, focus their practice on representing seriously injured people in the car, truck, and bus incidents. We have developed the skills and knowledge to win hard cases over decades of work.

Key Highlights of the Article

• Bus accidents are common in Seattle, with over 100 reported annually, and passengers are vulnerable due to lack of seatbelts.

• Filing a bus accident report is crucial — include date, time, location, bus and police details, witness statements, and photos.

• Multiple parties can be liable, including the bus driver, bus company, other drivers, or third-party contractors.

• Never give a recorded statement to insurance companies without your attorney present — it can be used against you later

• Hiring an experienced Washington bus accident lawyer is essential to investigate liability, navigate complex claims, and secure fair compensation.

Seattle Bus Accidents Happen Often

In the City of Seattle, in 2020, there were 106 bus accidents within the city limits. In the vast majority of those accidents (75), there were no reported injuries. During that year, four people suffered serious injuries in bus accidents, and ten people suffered from minor injuries. In 2019, there were 214 bus accidents within the city with 10 serious injuries. Based upon these numbers, if you ride the public bus system often, expect to eventually be in an accident.

How to Write a Bus Accident Report As Per Washington Laws

Start a bus accident report by collecting critical information, including the date, time, and location. Document the details of the event, covering weather and road conditions as well as traffic signs or signals at the scene.

Bus accident report helper

Build a Stronger Bus Accident Report

A complete report can make it easier to understand what happened, who may be responsible, and what evidence should be preserved. Check off what you already have.

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Date, time, and exact location Bus route number, fleet number, or company name Police report number or officer details Names and contact info for witnesses Photos or videos from the scene Road, traffic, and weather conditions Other driver or vehicle information Medical care and injury notes

Start with the basics: where it happened, when it happened, and which bus was involved.

Who may be responsible?

Bus Accident Liability Can Involve More Than One Party

Use this quick tool to see which evidence may matter depending on what happened. This is general information, not legal advice.

Bus Driver Other Driver Bus Company Public Agency

When the bus driver may be involved

Driver distraction, unsafe turns, speeding, hard braking, or failing to follow traffic rules may need to be reviewed.

• Bus number, route number, and driver details
• Dashcam, surveillance footage, or passenger video
• Witness statements and police observations

Not sure who caused the crash? A lawyer can investigate the bus operator, other drivers, and insurance issues.

Discuss Liability

Before you give a statement

Insurance Asked for a Recorded Statement?

What you say after a crash can affect your claim. Choose the situation that sounds closest to yours.

An adjuster asked for a recorded statement Police are asking what happened I am unsure what to say or send

Pause before giving a recorded statement.

Recorded statements can be used later by insurance companies. Consider speaking with an attorney before answering detailed claim questions.

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To write a bus accident report accurately, include these essential details:

• Date & Time: Exact time and date of the accident.
• Location: Street names, intersections, city, and any landmarks.
• Bus Details: Bus company name, fleet number, and route number.
• Police Details: Officer’s name, badge number, and case number.
• Other Vehicles Involved: License plate numbers, vehicle makes/models, and driver information.
• Witness Statements: Names and contact information of any witnesses.
• Road & Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, fog, ice, or poor visibility.
• Photos & Videos: Take pictures of vehicle damage, injuries, road conditions, and traffic signals.
• The insurance company covers the bus.

Each point helps ensure the report is complete and provides all necessary information for a thorough review.

Types of Bus Accidents

Many types of buses and bus companies can be involved in a crash. It’s not just public city buses.

• Public Bus services: These are the publicly-owned buses belonging to municipalities, school districts, and other types of government-run bus systems.
• Private transportation companies: These are private bus companies and transportation services, such as shuttle buses, taxis, airport shuttles, etc.
• Trolley and streetcars: This category would include the Lake Union Trolley or a Seattle Streetcar, for example. There are both public trolleys and privately owned trolleys.

The ownership of the buses makes these accidents hard to resolve. Both private companies and government agencies own busses. It’s a good idea to hire a law firm that has a long history of successfully handling Washington State and Seattle bus accident cases.

Who Is Potentially Responsible for the Bus Accident?

There are many people and companies that could be potentially responsible for the cause of the crash and any injuries. Passengers are not responsible unless you interfere with the bus driver in some way. Here are the potential at-fault parties in bus accidents.

The Bus Driver

The bus driver is responsible if they drove negligently and didn’t follow the rules of the road. There are many ways for a bus driver to cause a crash, including distraction, speeding, or aggressive driving. If the accident was the bus driver’s fault, then their employer would also be held responsible through the legal concept of respondeat superior. This legal concept says that, in most instances, an employer is responsible for the actions of their employees.

The Other Driver or Drivers

Just like any accident, if another driver was negligent, they would be responsible. The at-fault driver’s insurance company is responsible for the payment of compensation for any injuries. However, there are scenarios where the bus insurance company might add to the compensation. Also, your own automobile insurance company may come into play in certain scenarios.

The Bus Company

Other than respondeat superior responsibility, the bus company can be responsible independent of their connection to their bus driver employee. In theory, an injured person can file suit against the bus company for negligent hiring, negligent supervision, or negligent retention. For example, if the bus company knew the driver had several prior bus accidents but hired him or her anyway, this could be evidence of negligent retention. Another example is if the bus company doesn’t properly supervise or discipline the driver for safety infractions. If the company doesn’t fire the bus driver, this could also be evidence of negligent retention. The bus company can’t ignore safety violations.

Should You Give a Statement to an Insurance Company After a Bus Accident?

You should not give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster from any insurance company, whether it be the bus owners’ insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The only time you should give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster is when your experienced Washington bus accident lawyer has agreed to it and is sitting next to you during the statement. The reason to not give a statement without a legal practitioner is that adjusters are trained at attempting to get you to say things that you may not mean. Giving an incorrect statement because you misunderstood the question, for example, could hurt you in the future. Your recorded statements could be used to contradict your testimony at trial if your case gets that far. This doesn’t mean you should not talk to the police at the scene of the accident. If the police are asking questions and requesting information from the bus passengers, make sure that the bus accident report is as accurate and full of facts as possible. Writing a report on a bus accident by the police is very important. The police report is evidence during a lawsuit that can establish facts of the case and pinpoint liability.

How Long Do You Have to File a Bus Accident Claim in Washington?

In most Washington injury cases you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. When a government transit agency is involved, the separate claim-filing requirement applies first, which effectively shortens your real timeline. Acting early also helps preserve bus video footage, maintenance records, and witness accounts before they disappear.

Contact the Washington State Bus Accident Attorneys at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC If You Were Seriously Injured in a Seattle Bus Crash

Bus accidents can become quite complicated with many parties and employers that should be held responsible. There are a lot of moving parts, and you should not feel like you have to handle the case on your own. If you are seriously injured in a Washington state or Seattle bus accident, contact the attorneys at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC, and let our knowledge and experience help you get the compensation you deserve.

FAQs

Who is liable for a bus accident in Washington?

Liability can fall on the bus driver, the bus company, another driver, or a government transit agency. Because buses are common carriers, operators owe passengers the highest duty of care.

Can I sue King County Metro or Sound Transit after a bus accident?

Yes, but claims against public agencies require filing a formal tort claim form and waiting 60 days before suing. These deadlines are strict, so act quickly.

How long do I have to file a bus accident claim in Washington?

Generally three years from the date of the accident, though a government claim must be filed first when a public transit agency is involved.

Buses do not have seatbelts. Does that hurt my claim?

No. The lack of seatbelts is a known feature of buses and does not bar an injured passenger from recovering compensation.

Can I recover if I was partly at fault?

Yes. Washington follows pure comparative negligence, so you can recover even if you were mostly at fault, with your award reduced by your percentage of fault.

What should I do after a bus accident in Washington?

Get medical care, make sure an incident report is created, photograph the scene and the bus, note the route and vehicle number, collect witness information, and talk to a lawyer before giving any recorded statement to an insurer.