A pedestrian was struck and killed by a Regional Transportation District (RTD) bus as she walked east across the U.S. 36 in Westminster. The accident happened just before 2:30 a.m. The bus driver stopped and called the police immediately after the crash on the highway.

The tragic accident temporarily shut down the eastbound lanes of the freeway between Sheridan and Federal Boulevards. Police are still investigating how the accident happened. The bus is operated by the RTD, which is the agency that operates public transit in eight counties across the Denver-Aurora-Boulder area.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Colorado

Pedestrian accidents are often fatal and unfortunately far too common. In the recent Westminster pedestrian accident, the cause is unknown so far. But in general, accidents of this kind tend to have a variety of causes behind them. Some of the most common reasons for Colorado pedestrian accidents include:

• Drunk driving
• Drugged driving
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Impatient driver
• Medical emergency
• Failure to yield to the pedestrian
• Failure to see the crosswalk
• Improperly marked crosswalk
• Unsafe sidewalk
• Defective brakes on the car
• Bad weather
• Construction

It's not clear what caused the accident in the news story here, or if the bus driver was even at-fault. Regardless, if you were the victim of a pedestrian accident in Colorado and you're not sure of the cause behind it, it's important to talk to a Denver accident lawyer to help determine this critical detail. This will be essential to your case if you plan to seek compensation from the driver who caused the auto accident.

Accidents with City Buses

This pedestrian accident involved a city bus, which adds another layer of complexity to any Denver personal injury case. After all, when your lawsuit targets a local government agency, as it would after a city bus accident, you often have a stricter statute of limitations to adhere to.

For example, normally you'd have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident in Colorado. But if you're seeking compensation after being hit by a city bus, you only have 180 days to file your case. Rest assured that your Denver personal injury attorney will make sure you're aware of important details like this, such as the statute of limitations.

When you file and cite negligence on the part of the driver who hit you in a Denver auto accident, your compensation could cover the following:

• Doctor or hospital bills related to the accident
• Physical therapy
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering

Of course, the details of your case will determine which damages you should seek compensation for. This will usually depend on the extent of your injuries and recovery time after the accident, as the details vary in every case.

This is why you're encouraged to talk to an accident attorney after you've been injured in a Denver auto accident of any kind. Set up an initial consultation today to discuss your case so you can find out how to proceed as you seek compensation!