umm.. you realize in a bus shoulder checking is next to impossible right?
all there is is the mirror.
even turning to shoulder check u can only see so much aisde from leaning out the window.

You're assuming he's just blindly ripping into the alley. He went ahead of a stationary bus. That's all the facts you or I have. There was no kid. No pedestrian struck. Nothing. Save the assumptions and hypothetical scenarios.

And if the kid started walking across the bus and consequently into the street the kid would be dead and his parents could chalk this one up to lesson learned on teaching your kids the rules of the road. It would not be the OP's fault.

Twitchy, IMO, you are not at fault. The bus stopped in the curb lane. It is the bus driver's responsibility to ensure the slow lane is clear before entering. Although one is required to yield to a bus, I would think the onus is still on the bus driver to pull out when it is safe. Failure to yield has to be proven, and even if so, it is not free-will for the bus driver to play carmageddon. Furthermore, judging by the location of the damage on your vehicle, you were already past him at the point he pulled out. Use the facts you have in your favour and fight it. I think ICBC will try to assess partial fault to both of you as that makes the most financial sense for them, but there are several facts that are in your favour. All the best!

Kev

If the bus start turning out after you were turning in front of him already, you wouldn't have been able to see him signal out, then he should have checked for it to be clear before pulling out.

If you were next to the bus, then the bus started signaling, then you passed him to turn anyways, it will be much harder to get ICBC completely on your side.

Your goal should be to convince them that the first scenario happened. Keep us updated!

Out of curiousity, did either witness allude to what they saw?

Kev

bus drivers are gay!
they just switch lane whenever they feel like without looking

to be honest my witness won't be too convincing since he was on the bus and didn't see the actual impact. He mentioned the bus was pulling out and slammed the brakes. I haven't spoken to the 2nd witness yet.

and just reiterating this question again, would icbc look into individual damage to assess/confirm the stories of both parties + witnesses? i think just the damage itself could be in my favour. I'm not sure if they do this for every case or only for serious crashes with injuries/major $$$ on the line. for now i'll be skeptical knowing they'll mostly likely side with translink..i wonder if the bus driver's at even partial fault would there possibly be supsension with pay on his part..?

From my experience, ICBC will also look at the damage of the cars individually to assess fault.

This whole situation could have been avoided.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/8157/ohnoesj.png

I hate the alley way... But it seems like a lot of people like to use it.
Almost got into accident from asians pulling out to "peek" from the alley too much.

stupid spot for a bus stop

I believe that alley is access to the plaza containing London Drugs/McDonald's/VPD station.

If it's the same one I'm thinking of, it's very busy.

Kev

I avoid that alley way as much as I can because, chances are, there are cars there and I have to wait for them to clear out before I get to turn in... or I'd have to watch out for the idiot bus drivers there... I try to plan my route so I make a left turn on Victoria and 40th? 39th? instead!

But anyways, as it has been said already, I think the most important thing is to convince ICBC that you were in the midst of your turn already when the bus pulled out and hit you.

The yield to bus rule only applies if you are BEHIND the bus when it puts its signal on.

If anything, I think you could get nailed for unsafe lane change...

I always wondered if that was the case. The Yield sign s at the back of the bus. What if you're beside it where the sign isn't visible to you and the bus driver starts changing lanes right into you...

Chuckles.. I remember always wearing out my synchros on that "intersection".
Posted via RS Mobile

what kind of bus did you get involved with? Is it an electric trolley? A lot of the trolley's have additional equipment that will record stuff that may pertain to your accident. The bus records down when the brake is engaged, when the left /right signal is on, and the force of a collision.

also some electric trolleys are outfitted with cameras and one of them is a front facing one

If it is deemed your fault you should look into paying the claim. I doubt the bus driver is going to make an injury claim for this and there isn't very much damage so there's no sense in you or your parents losing their discount.

no it's the newer hybrid buses with the large windows.

It could totally be up to the witnesses that decide the fault on the case.

From what I observed, it seems like a bus has auto left turn signals or something.
Cause when the bus is crowded ,and I have to stand up by the front, I notice the bus driver doesn't have to do anything to signal when he's pulling out. Which leads to why some buses just signal left even when they aren't pulling out after leaving a bus stop (they are staying in their right lane)

Can anyone confirm this?? Is there some kind of foot pedal signal? Cause I can definitely see both his hands are on the wheel at all times, and the signal just comes on as soon as he starts gasing and turning the steering wheel left.

Btw, don't worry about the accident so much. No one died, it's not a big deal. Even if you're 100% at fault, you're not gonna get thrown in prison or anything.

^yeah on the bus we have here, the signals are operated by the left foot manually. I guess the bus he was involved with are of the NOVAs. They currently have no data recording system that will pertain to your accident unfortunately.

what a dick bus driver. i hate bus drivers.

update: both of the witnesses are backing me up. The witness said the bus driver was running to mcdicks to grab coffee and was likely to be in a rush. The witness saw me already in the/near the front of the bus preparing to turn into the alley and the bus pulled out when it wasn't safe to do so. One of the witnesses also has a Class 1 and drives large trucks so hopefully that'll hold some value.

wish me luck

That is awesome news, good luck!

Awesome man. Let us know what ICBC decides.

Kev