Pedestrian Killed in Accident Involving Suffolk Transit Bus

A 64-year-old Lindenhurst woman died after reportedly being hit by a Suffolk Transit bus while walking on the Montauk Highway in Lindenhurst.

According to the Suffolk County Police Department, the accident happened near Wellwood Avenue at about 8:08 p.m. on Thursday, November 2. The woman was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, but was soon pronounced dead of her injuries.

A local law enforcement official said the woman was trying to cross the Montauk Highway from the south side to the north side, but she was struck by a bus traveling west in the right lane near Wellwood. The 60-year-old bus driver from North Babylon was not charged with a crime.

Staying safe as a pedestrian

While pedestrians have rights, they also must be careful when using sidewalks, crosswalks and roads alongside motor vehicles. They should always try to cross the street at a marked crosswalk or at an intersection, and be sure to look both ways before crossing. They should also avoid prohibited areas, such as major highways and interstates.

Liability in a pedestrian accident depends on which party disobeyed the rules of the road. Because the bus driver in this case was not charged, it appears likely that the pedestrian crossed the road unsafely. In cases in which bus drivers are at fault for accidents, however, the bus agency or company will typically be held liable for the accident because of the legal principle of vicarious liability, which states that the actions of an employee are the same as those of the employer.

For more information and guidance on filing a personal injury claim after a pedestrian accident, meet with a skilled attorney at Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP.