A bus accident can leave injured people facing medical treatment, time away from work, vehicle damage, and questions about who is responsible. These cases may involve a private transportation company, a public transit provider, a school district, another driver, or several parties at once, making the claim more complex than a typical car accident.
Whether you were riding the bus, driving another vehicle, walking, or cycling, Desert Star Law Group can help you understand your legal options after a Phoenix bus accident. Call (602) 686-9936 to schedule a free consultation.
What Happens if a Bus Gets in an Accident?
When a bus is involved in an accident, the aftermath often looks different than a typical two car collision. Multiple passengers may be injured at once, the bus itself may be owned and operated by a public transit agency, a school district, or a private company, and any resulting claim may need to account for multiple potentially liable parties and, in some cases, government notice requirements.
How Fault Is Determined in a Bus Accident Case
Fault in a bus accident case generally depends on a careful investigation into what actually happened, including the bus driver’s conduct, the conduct of other drivers involved, whether the bus itself was properly maintained, and whether the operating company or agency followed appropriate safety protocols.
Because bus accidents often involve more moving parts than a standard car accident, establishing fault typically requires gathering evidence from multiple sources, including the bus’s own onboard systems.
Types of Bus Accident Cases We Handle
Our firm handles a wide range of bus accident cases, each carrying its own specific legal considerations:
- Valley Metro and other public transit buses: Claims against a government operated transit agency often involve strict, shortened notice deadlines and specific procedural requirements that don’t apply to a typical negligence claim.
- School bus accidents: These cases can involve a school district or a private busing contractor, and often raise additional questions about the safety of young passengers who may not be seat-belted.
- Charter and tour bus accidents: Private charter and tour companies are generally held to commercial vehicle safety and maintenance standards, and liability can extend to the company itself if inadequate maintenance or training contributed to the crash.
- Shuttle bus accidents: Shuttle accidents, common at airports, hotels, and event venues, often involve questions about the operator’s training and the vehicle’s maintenance history.
- Accidents involving private commercial bus operators: Intercity and commercial bus lines carry their own insurance and safety obligations, and identifying every liable party can require investigating both the driver and the company itself.
Bus accident claims can turn on records that may not remain available indefinitely, including video footage, dispatch communications, driver logs, maintenance documents, and witness information. Desert Star Law Group can review the circumstances of the crash and explain the next steps. Call (602) 686-9936 for a free consultation.
Causes of Bus Accidents in Phoenix
Bus accidents in Phoenix can result from driver fatigue, distraction, speeding, inadequate training, poor maintenance, or a failure to yield. Heavy traffic, construction zones, intense sun glare, monsoon rain, dust, and standing water can also create hazardous conditions for large vehicles.
A bus needs more time and space to stop or turn than a passenger car. When a driver, transportation company, maintenance provider, or another party fails to use reasonable care, the result can be a serious collision. Available evidence may include video footage, GPS or dispatch records, inspection reports, maintenance documentation, and witness statements.
Common Injuries Caused by Bus Accidents
Bus crashes can cause injuries ranging from:
- Soft tissue damage
- Fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Internal injuries
- Permanent impairment
The severity of an injury can depend on the type of bus, the force of the collision, whether a passenger was standing or seated, and the available safety restraints.
Medical documentation can play an important role in showing how the crash affected a person’s health, ability to work, and daily life. Desert Star Law Group can help injured people pursue a claim while they focus on treatment and recovery. Call (602) 686-9936 for a free consultation.
Who Can File a Bus Accident Claim in Phoenix?
A person injured in a Phoenix bus accident may be able to pursue a personal injury claim, including bus passengers, occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and others harmed in the collision. If a bus accident causes a death, Arizona law generally allows a surviving spouse, child, parent or guardian, or the deceased person’s personal representative to bring a wrongful death action.
For many claims against private parties, Arizona law generally provides two years from the date a claim accrues to file a lawsuit. However, claims involving a public entity, public school, or public employee may be subject to much shorter deadlines. A claimant generally must file a notice of claim within 180 days after the claim accrues, and a lawsuit against a public entity or public employee generally must be filed within one year. The notice must meet specific legal requirements, including a settlement amount and facts supporting that amount.
The correct deadline can depend on the parties involved and the facts of the crash. Speaking with Desert Star Law Group promptly can help preserve evidence and identify time sensitive requirements. Call (602) 686-9936 for a free consultation.
How Much Compensation Can You Recover From a Bus Accident Lawsuit?
Compensation in a bus accident case may include medical expenses, both past and future, lost income and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, permanent disability or disfigurement, and, in fatal cases, wrongful death damages for surviving family members.
The specific value of your claim depends on factors including the severity of your injuries, the strength of the evidence establishing fault, and the insurance coverage available from the responsible party.
What You Can Do if You Are Involved in a Bus Accident
- Seek prompt medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor at first.
- Report the accident to the appropriate authorities.
- Photograph the scene, your injuries, and the bus involved, if you’re able to do so safely.
- Get contact information for any witnesses, including other passengers.
- Avoid discussing fault or accepting a settlement offer before speaking with an attorney.
- Call Desert Star Law Group at (602) 686-9936 to discuss your case, since claims involving a government operated bus may carry strict, shortened notice deadlines.
Why Choose Desert Star Law Group As Your Phoenix Bus Accident Attorneys?
After a serious bus accident, you need a legal team that treats your recovery as more than a case file. Desert Star Law Group is built around helping injured people access quality medical care, including when they do not have health insurance, and connecting them with trusted mechanics when a crash has left their vehicle unusable.
We also believe the client should come first in the financial outcome. Desert Star Law Group is committed to ensuring that clients receive more from a settlement than the firm receives in fees, even when that means reducing our fee. That is not a slogan. It is part of how we approach every injury case.
From a crash involving a Valley Metro bus to a collision with a charter, school, shuttle, or commercial bus, our team can investigate the facts, identify the potentially responsible parties, and explain your options in plain language. Contact Desert Star Law Group at (602) 686-9936 for a free consultation.