There have been two Megabus accidents that have made the Chicago area news during the past few weeks. A 76-year old woman was fatally struck by a Megabus near Union Station in a recent fatal motor vehicle accident. And a day after this accident, the same transportation company agreed to a settlement in the amount of $5.1 million to the family of a 64-year old man that was fatally struck by a Megabus in 2010.

Both of these fatal bus accidents involved pedestrians struck in a crosswalk. And the two fatal accidents occurred within two blocks of each other. Though the company settled concerning the 2010 accident, it's impossible to yet determine how the company will respond to the most recent crash.

Concerning the 2010 accident, the victim was killed on a crosswalk while a Megabus turned left in the intersection and struck and killed the pedestrian. The bus driver in that incident was ticketed for reckless driving and for the striking of a pedestrian in a crosswalk that had the right-of-way.

Concerning the most recent accident, the 76-year old woman was also making her way across the crosswalk when she was struck by the mirror of a Megabus as the bus driver was attempting to make a left turn. The bus driver involved in this accident stated he did not see the woman in the crosswalk.

Attorneys that try pedestrian accidents understand that accidents that are foreseeable are also accidents that are avoidable. Such companies must implement procedures that will prevent such future accidents from ever occurring.

Unfortunately, this and other intersection accidents involving pedestrians reveal a pattern that transportation companies cannot afford to ignore.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times, "Megabus to pay $5 million for 2010 accident," by Michael Lansu, August 8, 2012