photo by: Lawrence Transit

The bus fleet serving the City of Lawrence and University of Kansas has a new look, including a cohesive color palette and a modernized Lawrence Transit logo.

A wheelchair user is suing the City of Lawrence, a bus driver and bus company Transdev, claiming that an improperly trained driver failed to secure his chair and that he fell and suffered a concussion and other injuries as a result.

The suit was filed by Matthew Hull on Dec. 13, 2024, just shy of two full years after the incident on Dec. 16, 2022. Hull alleges that the driver, who is referred to in the filing as Jane Doe, “was negligent in failing to properly secure the Plaintiff and his wheelchair in a manner to ensure it did not fall over,” and that she failed “to drive in a safe and reasonable manner under the circumstances.” He also alleges that the bus company, which at the time was called First Transit, failed to adequately train the driver on how to secure passengers in wheelchairs.

“As a direct result of his wheelchair not being properly strapped down to the floor … (Hull) fell backwards abruptly while the vehicle was in motion, causing the Plaintiff to strike his head and back on the floor of the bus,” the filing said.

Hull claims that he suffered a concussion and back injuries that exacerbated his existing medical conditions and “required significant treatment.” He is seeking damages in excess of $75,000 for his medical expenses and economic losses.

The City of Lawrence and Transdev have yet to answer Hull’s petition. The Journal-World has reached out to the City of Lawrence for comment about the lawsuit.