Back in April, we wrote about a pedestrian who was hit and killed by a Regional Transportation District (RTD) bus as she walked east across the U.S. 36 in Westminster. Unfortunately for pedestrians in Denver, bus accidents are not uncommon. Even when traveling at a relatively slow speed, buses are large, have a high mass, and can be more difficult to maneuver than cars. 

Pedestrians and RTD Bus Accidents in Denver and Boulder

On January 9, 2020, an elderly pedestrian was struck and killed by an RTD bus in Boulder while crossing Baseline Road. At about 10:15 a.m., an 85-year-old man was crossing the road near Mohawk Drive when he was struck by an RTD bus turning left. The man was taken to Boulder Community Health's Foothills Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

On January 18, 2020, a pedestrian was run over by an RTD bus in Denver at 35th Avenue and Federal Boulevard. According to a news report, the male victim was running alongside the bus, possibly attempting to stop the bus to get picked up. The man ended up getting caught under the bus and was run over. He was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.  

On March 3, 2020, another pedestrian was hit and killed by an RTD bus in Denver. At about 6:30 p.m. near Green Valley Ranch Boulevard and Chambers Road, a man reportedly fell under the bus. According to a news report, he was suspected of being impaired. 

Pedestrian Injuries in Colorado

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2018, there were 6,283 pedestrians killed in traffic accidents, an increase from 5,977 in 2017. In Colorado alone, 90 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in 2018. 

While most Colorado pedestrian accidents occur at non-intersection locations and at night, pedestrians can be at risk of getting hit while in a crosswalk during the day. Many pedestrian accidents involve a driver who is distracted by their phone at the time of the collision. In some cases, rideshare drivers are distracted by their rideshare or map app and do not look up in time to avoid hitting a pedestrian. 

In other cases, drivers are trying to quickly turn right on a red light and roll through without stopping for a pedestrian in the crosswalk. The Colorado Department of Transportation reminds drivers, “Be sure to stop before the crosswalk. This is a no-car zone.”

Limited Time to File a Claim Against RTD After an Accident

The statute of limitations is the amount of time an accident victim has to file a personal injury claim. Waiting too long may mean that your claim is denied and you cannot recover damages for your injuries. Unfortunately, the statute of limitations can be different depending on the type of accident and which parties are involved. 

In most personal injury claims, there is a 2-year statute of limitations after the date of the accident or injury to file a lawsuit. Although, in Colorado, the statute of limitations is 3 years for accidents involving a motor vehicle, which would include a bus. 

However, the time limits may be much shorter if a claim is made against a government agency, like RTD. Under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act (CGIA), government agencies can claim immunity in personal injury claims. There are limited waivers, including for operation of a motor vehicle owned or leased by a public entity by a public employee while in the course of employment.  

Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-10-109, any person claiming to have suffered an injury by a public entity or employee shall file a written notice within 182 days after the date of the discovery of the injury.

This is less than half a year (instead of the 3-years for other auto accident claims), so it is important to contact your Denver bus accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident ot make sure your claim is filed in time for you to receive compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Future medical care
• Pain and suffering

If you were injured in an RTD bus accident in the greater Denver metropolitan area, please do not hesitate to contact accidentdenver.com today at 303-642-8888 for a free consultation. We are here waiting for you.