A student at the University of Pittsburgh, Barbara Como, was involved in a bus accident on Saturday, January 18, 2020. The bus struck her and caused her death. The 20-year-old woman was looking forward to her upcoming graduation where she would have obtained degrees in both anthropology and psychology.

Students, mentors, and school faculty members remember Como for her caring nature, intelligence, and bright personality. They say that she was determined and hardworking, always making sure to put her all into her studies. She was an excellent researcher and she had always hoped to make a difference through the research she was doing.

The Accident

Unfortunately, Como’s life was cut short after she was struck by the Port Authority bus as it arrived at the intersection of Fifth and DeSoto Street. Although she was taken to the hospital in an attempt to save her life and treat the injuries sustained, she succumbed to her injuries at the UPMC Presbyterian hospital.

Those who knew Barbara knew how smart and friendly she was. As an anthropology student, she was also working as a research assistant and trying to find out if different types of medications that people take to treat ailments were helping those individuals and making a difference in their lives. She had no problem finding people who were willing to participate in the research study to help gather more information.

Como was known for her awesome programming skills. When others around her needed help or could not understand something, she was always quick to help them and lend a hand when it was needed. She was a natural-born leader who thrived in the lab. Rottman says that her peers and mentors miss her immensely and that they will remember her as an excellent researcher with a great work ethic.

The police on campus are currently working together with the Pittsburg police to perform an investigation and figure out exactly what happened. They want to know how the bus ended up striking her. Unfortunately, bus accidents can occur for a number of reasons. In this case, it is said that Como was waiting on the sidewalk and was not crossing the street or standing at the intersection when the bus hit her.

Potential Bus Accident Causes

If it turns out that the bus driver was in the wrong, it is likely due to distracted driving, intoxicated driving, speeding or inexperienced driving. These are some of the most common causes of bus accidents. The police will need to perform a full investigation to find out if the bus driver was going above the speed limit or doing something that could have caused the accident, which may involve watching surveillance footage, taking statements from witnesses, reviewing and comparing statements, and checking the phone history of the bus driver.

Contact a Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Bus Accident Case in Pennsylvania

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a bus accident in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The Law Office of Mark A. Smith represents clients injured because of bus accidents in Pittsburgh, Homestead, Erie, Greensburg, and throughout Pennsylvania. Call 412-567-9598 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.