Bus Accident Highlights Need for Separate Representation
3/13/2008
A Metro bus accident
Wednesday afternoon at the Kent-Des Moines interchange resulted in 14 people sent to the hospital with injuries. The Route 174 bus was traveling southbound on Pacific Highway South when a Toyota Camry turned in front of the bus, attempting to make a right turn into the parking lot of a Walgreens. One passenger, Sonia Tejada, 20, said she was near the back of the bus and was thrown to the front when the driver hit the brakes.
None of the injuries were life threatening. The driver of the Toyota Camry was one of the 14 people sent to hospital with injuries. The accident is currently under investigation.
Injured passengers are likely going to be competing for limited assets. If the driver of the Camry has a liability insurance policy, he may have as little as $25,000 in available insurance. Separate representation of each injured passenger is necessary to avoid conflicts of interest. The possibility of Underinsured Motorist coverage on the Metro bus should also be investigated.
