The Globe reports on an incident this morning involving a Route 32 bus whose driver had to stop short to avoid hitting a van that pulled out in front of it.
Was trying to figure out how to word it. Wanted to say something, given how much MBTA drivers have gotten beaten up lately.
I think that, in a split-second, one usually can't make a judgment call on things like "Will casualties be less if I slam on the brakes, or if I let the minivan of nuns absorb most of the impact." So perhaps the best you can reliably do is be conditioned to hit the brakes immediately when you don't have time to reason. So, if that's true, sounds like probably the driver did the right thing under the circumstances.
I don't think it matters if they were real or not. Ins would have to pay for the trips regardless since they could have gone/been sent as a precaution. I've always understood it that way. Especially since its more difficult to get help if you leave and then find you have some sort of injury. Some people would see this as taking advantage of an opportunity, but I think its better safe than sorry.
IANAL, but I do know that I witnessed a driver pull out and cause a motorcyclist to ditch last summer (it is better than actually hitting the car). My account of the accident was enough to result in her insurance paying for his minor medical bills and his motorcycle repairs.
I don't know if she was issued a ticket, but she was determined to be at fault despite the lack of actual contact.
Hyde Park Ave is always a mess, lots of drivers doing sketchy U-turns, daring left turns across four lanes and yellow light drag racers. Something about that stretch brings out the stupid, people who pass two car without space or signals only to end up sitting next to you at the red light two blocks away. I wish the traffic cams at Ukraine worked and were making money for the city.
Comments
We will need more on this story
Could be that the MBTA driver was commendably quick-acting.
Certainly
If he/she hadn't stopped, we might have still had injured people AND a wrecked bus.
Was trying to figure out how
Was trying to figure out how to word it. Wanted to say something, given how much MBTA drivers have gotten beaten up lately.
I think that, in a split-second, one usually can't make a judgment call on things like "Will casualties be less if I slam on the brakes, or if I let the minivan of nuns absorb most of the impact." So perhaps the best you can reliably do is be conditioned to hit the brakes immediately when you don't have time to reason. So, if that's true, sounds like probably the driver did the right thing under the circumstances.
According to one poster on
According to one poster on boston.com who said that they were standing at the front of the bus when it happened, he was indeed.
for the lawyers out there
Even though there was no accident, could the van driver/his insurance be held liable if it was found he cut off the bus?
You mean...
..if any of the injuries were actually real?
I don't think it matters if
I don't think it matters if they were real or not. Ins would have to pay for the trips regardless since they could have gone/been sent as a precaution. I've always understood it that way. Especially since its more difficult to get help if you leave and then find you have some sort of injury. Some people would see this as taking advantage of an opportunity, but I think its better safe than sorry.
Yep
IANAL, but I do know that I witnessed a driver pull out and cause a motorcyclist to ditch last summer (it is better than actually hitting the car). My account of the accident was enough to result in her insurance paying for his minor medical bills and his motorcycle repairs.
I don't know if she was issued a ticket, but she was determined to be at fault despite the lack of actual contact.
Hyde Park Ave is always a
Hyde Park Ave is always a mess, lots of drivers doing sketchy U-turns, daring left turns across four lanes and yellow light drag racers. Something about that stretch brings out the stupid, people who pass two car without space or signals only to end up sitting next to you at the red light two blocks away. I wish the traffic cams at Ukraine worked and were making money for the city.
The other driver is the one
The other driver is the one who should be held liable if anyone did get hurt on the bus.
Do we know that yet?
I'd think the accident investigation and possible hearing would take longer.