Date: February 6, 2012By: Atlanta Bus Accident Lawyers

Months after running over and killing a 23-year old woman while on the job, a San Francisco bus driver has been criminally charged for his role in the accident. On August 19th, 23-year-old Emily Dunn was walking across a crosswalk when she was struck by a Muni bus driven by operator Wallace Loggins. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Dunn had just moved for a job to San Francisco from her hometown of Atlanta, where both of her parents still live. They have filed a lawsuit with the city, claiming that there had been a comprehensive failure that led to the death of their daughter.

According to police reports, the 36-year-old Loggins was allegedly distracted and looking in the rearview mirror, not in front of the bus, when he made a left onto a narrow street on the way to his next assignment. The 40-foot shuttle bus was empty at the time of the accident. According to Muni, Loggins was not supposed to be turning at this intersection as part of his route. The City is reportedly considering requiring that bus drivers take predetermined routes between assignments. 

Loggins has been charged for misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, and could face up to a year in county prison if convicted. It is extremely unusual for a city bus driver to be charged with a criminal offense by the city, as they usually refrain from holding liable other city employees. In San Francisco, Muni controls the municipal railway, the division of parking and traffic, taxis, buses, trolleys, streetcars, and cable cars. One other person was struck and killed by a similar bus last year in San Francisco, but the two deaths were a reduction from previous year annual death totals.

Negligent or reckless driving, defective equipment, and dangerous roadways are among the causes of bus accidents in Georgia and across the country. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, our Atlanta bus accident attorneys can determine fault in the accident. Depending on the result of this determination, you may be eligible to seek compensation for damages. You may be entitled to enter a personal injury lawsuit and seek monetary remuneration for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 

---

Keywords: bus accident, fatal bus accident