Bus Accident Attorney

Buses are a convenient and economical way to travel, but traveling by bus is not without risks. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were more than 67,000 crashes involving buses in a recent year—more than 183 bus accidents every day. Due to their size and weight and the fact they're usually filled with passengers, bus accidents can cause catastrophic, life-changing injuries to victims.

If you suffered injuries in a bus accident, whether as a passenger or as the occupant of a vehicle the bus collided with, you have legal rights to pursue compensation for your accident-related losses. This includes medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, and more. If you were injured in a bus accident, speak to a bus accident attorney as soon as possible.

For 20 years, the team of experienced bus accident lawyers at Stewart J. Guss, Accident Injury Lawyers has represented the rights of bus accident victims and helped them recover compensation for their losses.

We understand the unique legal issues that arise in accidents involving public buses, school buses, charter buses, and other vehicles designed to carry many passengers. We know how to get our clients the compensation they deserve and are not intimidated by large insurance companies who only care about their bottom line.

Contact us today for a free case evaluation to learn how we can help you. With our no-recovery, no-fee guarantee, we don't get paid unless you get paid. Our intake department is available for your free consultation, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at (800) 898-4877.

Bus Accident Guide

How Much Will Hiring a Bus Accident Attorney Cost?

Sometimes, people shun hiring an attorney for fear of the hefty fees involved. The truth is that preparing a settlement claim or lawsuit requires investing lots of resources, which escalates the legal costs. Trust Guss Injury Lawyers resolves this potential hindrance by allowing you to access justice at a minimal initial cost.

With our contingency fees model, you only pay us if we win your settlement.

The only costs you need to pay pre-settlement are the administrative expenses, which enable us to prepare for the case.

Not sure whether your case qualifies for compensation or the damages you have sustained are worth pursuing compensation? You do not have to shelf the claim for fear of incurring additional irrecoverable costs. We understand how difficult this event is for you, and can alleviate your financial burden by offering a free consultation. All you do is visit our contact page and brief us on your case. Then, our legal team will perform a free case review, and provide feedback to you as soon as possible.

How Long Will My Bus Accident Case Take?

Most injured bus accident victims want to know when their case will settle or reach a verdict. The exact timeline of your case will vary depending on many factors, including:

• The scope and extent of your injuries
• The details of your accident
• The entities responsible for your bus crash or who is at fault
• Insurance policy and limitations and adjusters
• Settlement negotiations and willingness of insurance company to reach an agreement

Filing a bus accident claim can take time. That's why so many injured bus crash victims choose our law firm to represent them after an injury accident. We take on the insurance companies, the adjusters, and the negotiations for you, so you can focus your energy on your recovery. We work tirelessly to help settle or win bus accident claims for our clients. Whether we secure a settlement or go to trial, our bus accident lawyers work diligently to get our clients maximum compensation after a bus accident.

Bus Accidents Can Cause Extremely Serious Injuries

When buses are involved in traffic accidents, people can sustain extremely serious injuries. Many buses are not equipped with seatbelts or other safety features found in many modern cars, which means that passengers can sustain severe bus accident injuries.

In addition, buses are much larger and weigh much more than most other vehicles, and the force with which they can strike other vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and others using the road can result in catastrophic injuries and property damage. For this reason, many bus accident cases involve settlements or awards well into the six and seven-figure ranges—meaning insurance companies often vigorously contest them.

Remember, when more money is at stake, the more incentive insurance companies and others who could potentially face liability are to fight a case. That is why injured bus accident victims must retain qualified legal counsel who can effectively fight against experienced bus accident defense attorneys and bus companies.

Common injuries that people can sustain in serious bus accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Burns and disfigurement
• Amputation
• Internal organ damage/internal bleeding
• Whiplash

Bus crash victims who file a bus accident claim should only accept a settlement that will compensate them for their future losses in addition to the losses they have already sustained. For example, paralyzed spinal cord injury victims should recover compensation not only for the medical care they have already received but also for the medical care they will require in the future—which typically means for the rest of their lives. The same holds true for future lost income, future pain and suffering, and any other ongoing losses.

People who can potentially recover compensation after a bus accident include:

• Bus passengers
• Other motorists
• Bicyclists
• Pedestrians
• Property owners

After a car accident with a bus or a pedestrian accident with a bus, victims may establish these future losses through the use of independent actuaries who can estimate what their injuries will cost during the course of their lifetimes. The experienced team of personal injury lawyers and legal professionals at Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at Law, has an established network of actuaries, economists, and other professionals we work with to ensure that our clients obtain the compensation to which they are entitled.

When a Bus Accident Causes a Wrongful Death

Due to the sheer size and weight of many buses, passengers in other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists often suffer the majority of injuries. Sadly, many of these are catastrophic injuries that can result in fatalities. If you lost a loved one in a bus accident, you deserve justice. Our personal injury law firm can investigate the bus accident and identify all liable parties so that grieving families can file a wrongful death claim. We know that no amount of compensation could ever replace the loss of your loved one - but you don't deserve to suffer unnecessary financial burden because of another person's negligence.

Types of Bus Accidents Our Injury Firm Handles

Public Bus Accidents

Millions of people ride public buses each day, typically without incident. Unfortunately, those that do fall victims to an accident can sustain extremely serious injuries on city and regional buses. In most cases, these vehicles are not equipped with seatbelts, and many riders on overcrowded buses stand while holding onto railings or fabric straps. A collision can throw riders against the hard interior surfaces of the bus, into each other, or even completely eject them from the bus.

From the perspective of other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists, city buses pose significant injury risks. They are much bigger than most other vehicles and often operate in urban areas on narrow streets and around significant amounts of other traffic. In addition, city bus drivers are susceptible to driver fatigue—they often work long hours and may need to drive the same route several times during the same shift. When buses hit other vehicles, they can cause significant property damage and bodily injuries.

Because city or state agencies operate many public buses, a special set of laws may govern legal claims arising from public bus accidents. Because governments, their subdivisions, and agencies are immune from lawsuits under traditional legal rules, special laws (typically called tort claims acts) must authorize these claims. Typically, these statutes or analogous laws or regulations place significant limits on how much time victims have to file claims and how much compensation they can ultimately recover. For this reason, people injured in public bus accidents should immediately contact an attorney with experience making claims against them to avoid any legal issues with this sensitive case type.

Charter Bus Accidents

Private companies like Greyhound and Megabus offer consumers relatively cheap ways to get from city to city. Despite taking much longer to reach their destinations than other forms of transportation, bus trips often cost a fraction of other types of travel, which makes taking the bus an attractive option for many people. These buses, often referred to as motorcoaches, pose many of the same risks as other types of buses. Passengers can sustain serious injuries in motorcoach accidents, and other motorists often sustain extremely serious injuries when motorcoaches collide with them.

Because Greyhound and similar bus companies are in the business of transporting passengers along regular routes for set rates, they are considered common carriers under the law. As a result, most jurisdictions require them to exercise the highest degree of care for the safety of their passengers. This means that the passengers who are injured in Greyhound bus accidents are typically entitled to compensation for any losses they experience as a result of the accident. That said, victims should retain an attorney to ensure that any settlement they're offered by the insurance company adequately compensates them for all of their losses.

An experienced bus accident lawyer can help you identify the liable parties, including private bus companies, and hold them accountable.

School Bus Accidents

Millions of children ride a school bus to and from school on a daily basis. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), school buses are the safest vehicles on the road, and children are significantly safer taking a bus to school than they are traveling by car. Nonetheless, school bus accidents injure a significant number of people each year. Kids in school bus accidents can sustain serious injuries that may damage them for the rest of their lives, including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and serious soft tissue injuries that result in permanent scars and disfigurement.

Likewise, motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians whom school bus accidents hurt can sustain serious injuries that result in significant medical expenses and other compensable losses.

In cases where a public school district operates a school bus, the rules regarding claims against public entities mentioned above will likely apply. Victims, therefore, must hire a bus crash lawyer with experience in bringing claims against public schools as soon as they possibly can, because even a slight delay could result in you forfeiting your right to recover compensation. Bus claims involving privately operated school buses typically proceed just like any other personal injury case involving private parties. Victims, however, must also act quickly in these, too, because waiting to start your claim can result in the loss or destruction of evidence critical to your case.

Causes of Bus Accidents

If you or someone you love suffered an injury in a bus crash, our experienced attorneys can help. We have extensive experience representing the rights of injured bus accident victims and their families. Many large bus accidents are caused by negligence. This can be the result of negligence by the bus driver or the bus company. Some of the most common causes of bus accidents include:

• Driver fatigue
• Distracted driving
• Bus driver error
• Inexperienced bus drivers and operators
• Aggressive driving or speeding
• Drunk driving or drugged driving
• Bus mechanical failure or improper maintenance

The bus company is responsible for maintaining their vehicles and making sure they're safe to operate on the roads. When they cut corners and overlook important maintenance, they can - and should - be held liable for the bus accident and injuries suffered. Regular maintenance and safety inspections can prevent many bus accidents caused by balding tires, poor brakes, engine failure, and steering issues. In some cases, a bus could have a defective component that fails and causes an accident. In that case, you may have a claim against the bus manufacturer.

What Should I Do Following a Bus Accident?

After a bus accident, the steps you take can have an immediate impact on your ability to collect the compensation you deserve. When larger, heavier buses collide with passenger vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists, the results are often catastrophic - even at low speeds. As such, it is important to take the following steps after any bus accident.

• Seek medical attention
• Call 911 - file a police report
• Document your injuries and damage
• Get the ID of the bus driver and information about the bus and bus company
• Take pictures of the accident scene and damage to your vehicle
• Keep a pain journal or recovery diary to document your recovery
• Keep receipts and medical bills
• Attend all therapy sessions and doctor's appointments
• Do not talk to an insurance adjuster or give recorded statement
• Call an experienced bus accident attorney today

If you suffer serious injuries at the accident site, you may not be able to take pictures or collect evidence. That's ok! Simply call our law offices and we will get to work for you. While you focus on your recovery, we will put our energy and experience into motion. Our bus accident attorneys will collect the evidence needed to build your case and prove liability. We will handle the insurance companies, so you can work on rebuilding your life.

It is important to act quickly after a bus accident. There are statute of limitations that can affect your ability to file an injury claim. If you miss these deadlines, you are barred from being able to file a claim or a bus accident lawsuit in the future. If the bus company is a public entity, you might have even less time than you think! For this reason, it is critical that you contact our personal injury law firm immediately. We can file your claim on-time to ensure that you receive fair compensation.

What Types of Compensation Can I Get from a Bus Accident Personal Injury Claim?

If you are involved in a bus accident and suffer injuries, you may be eligible to seek various types of compensation through a personal injury claim. The specific compensation you can pursue will depend on the circumstances of the accident, the extent of your injuries, and other factors. Here are common types of compensation available in a bus accident personal injury claim:

• Medical Expenses: Compensation for all medical costs related to the accident, including hospitalization, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical treatments.
• Lost Wages: Reimbursement for income lost due to time away from work during your recovery. This may include past and future lost wages.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish resulting from the accident and your injuries.
• Property Damage: Compensation for the repair or replacement of personal property damaged in the accident, such as your vehicle or personal belongings.
• Disability and Impairment: If the accident results in a long-term disability or impairment, you may be entitled to compensation for the impact on your daily life and ability to work.
• Scarring or Disfigurement: Compensation for any visible scars or disfigurement resulting from the accident or medical treatments.
• Loss of Consortium: If your injuries affect your relationship with your spouse or family members, they may be entitled to compensation for the loss of companionship, support, and services.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence or intentional misconduct, the court may award punitive damages. These are designed to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior in the future.

You must consult a personal injury attorney to assess the specific details of your bus accident case and determine the types of compensation that may be available to you. Bus accident cases can be complex, involving multiple parties, such as the bus driver, bus company, other drivers, or even government entities. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal process, gather evidence, and advocate for your rights to maximize the compensation you may be entitled to receive.

How Long Do I Have to File a Bus Accident Lawsuit?

Each state has its own statute of limitations on how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. For example, Texas allows injured victims two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for damages.

However, you must consult an attorney in your area for advice on your state's statute of limitations and how that could affect your case. You must also keep in mind that claims against government entities usually have their own deadlines and requirements for filing a claim, and you will certainly need a lawyer to help you cut through the red tape and submit a claim. 

Stewart J. Guss Injury Lawyers has law offices across the United States, and you can reach out to us to discuss your claim for free and learn of the deadlines that apply to your case. Our experienced attorneys can help you prepare your claim properly, submit it under any prescribed deadlines, and fight for you each step of the way to help ensure you get the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Call Us Today to Speak With an Experienced Bus Accident Attorney

If you were hurt in an accident involving a bus, speak to us immediately. The nationally recognized team of bus accident lawyers and legal professionals at Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at Law, understands how seriously these accidents can damage victims. Our personal injury lawyers have protected the rights of injured victims of bus accidents for more than 20 years. We do everything we can to ensure that our clients obtain the compensation to which they are entitled.

Our bus accident injury law firm represents injured accident victims who suffered after an accident with a city bus, transit bus, tour bus, school bus, private bus, or limo bus. We know the best ways to ensure that you collect maximum compensation after a serious bus crash.

If a bus accident injured you, call our office right now for your free case evaluation! Because we take all of our personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, you will not owe us a DIME unless we win your case. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so call us today at 800-898-4877, or contact us now by CLICKING HERE.

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"Mr. Guss was wonderful. He fought hard against the insurance company to get us what we deserved. I went from owing almost $5000 in medical bills to actually getting money in my pocket. Absolutely Amazing!!!!! A big thank you from me and my family!!!" -Karley B.

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