Bus drivers and companies have a legal duty to safely transport passengers. When they violate this duty, passengers may suffer serious injuries or may even day in bus collisions. If you have been hit and injured in a bus accident, you may be eligible to file a claim and recover compensation for any damages endured.
Our Yuma bus accident lawyers at Phillips Law Group have more than 27 years of experience protecting the rights of injured victims in Arizona. Collectively, we have secured more than $1 billion for our clients. When selecting an attorney to represent you, it is important that you choose someone who is an experienced litigator. Founder Jeffrey Phillips is an active member of The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers.
Learn more about the legal options available to you during free consultation. Our legal team works on a contingency fee basis, which means no upfront fees. We only get paid if we help you obtain compensation.
We are available 24/7. Call 602-222-2222 to get started.
Do I Have a Valid Bus Accident Claim?
To qualify for compensation, you must be able to establish certain legal elements. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can review the circumstances involved in your claim and determine if you have a viable case. The elements that you will need to establish include:
The defendant had a legal duty to transport you safely
The defendant violated this duty
Because of the violation, you suffered damages
You can establish your losses
We welcome the opportunity to review your situation during a free and confidential consultation so that we can determine your legal options.
Call 602-222-2222 now to schedule your free consultation.
Common Damages Available in Bus Accident Claims
If you have been hurt in a bus accident, you may be able to take legal action against the negligent bus company or driver for the losses that you suffered. You may be entitled to compensation for economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are quantifiable expenses that accrue because of the accident, such as:
Past and future medical expenses
Ambulance services
Hospital care
Surgery costs
Physical therapy
Imaging tests
Transportation to/from doctor visits
Medications
Assistive medical devices
Lost wages from missed work
Loss of earning capacity
Non-economic damages are difficult to quantify because they do not have a set monetary value. Nonetheless, accident victims may be able to receive compensation for the following:
Pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Disability
Disfigurement
Lost of enjoyment of life
Loss of consortium
If you have a valid case, our dedicated Glendale bus accident lawyers will try to pursue the maximum compensation available.
Time Limit to File a Bus Accident Case
Arizona’s statute of limitations sets a time limit to file a claim. According to Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-542, you have just two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you let this deadline pass without taking legal action, you may be barred from later filing your claim.
However, each case is different. If the bus was run by a government entity, you may be required to file your lawsuit within 180 days. Minor victims may have more time to file their claim.
To learn about the deadline that will apply to your claim, we recommend that you consult with a Yuma bus accident lawyer from our firm for legal advice.
Who May Be Responsible for a Bus Accident?
Bus accident cases are often complex because there may be many different entities involved in the operation. If we represent you, our knowledgeable Yuma bus accident lawyers can help identify the parties who may be liable for your injuries, such as:
Bus Driver
The bus driver may be liable for the accident if he or she behaved in a negligent manner, which resulted in the accident. Negligent driving behavior may include:
Speeding
Not looking out for pedestrians
Stopping suddenly
Texting while driving
Impaired driving
Following other vehicles too closely
Breaking traffic laws
Bus Company
The bus company has a legal duty to ensure its buses are operated in a safe manner. It has a duty to hire competent drivers with clean driving records to safely operate the bus. If the bus company violated safety regulations that contributed to the accident, it could be held liable. Additionally, the bus company is typically liable for the negligent actions of its employees.
Maintenance Provider
Buses must be properly maintained to ensure the safety of passengers. Bus companies often outsource maintenance to third parties. These parties may be held liable for the damages that resulted from a collision if improper maintenance contributed to the accident.
Vehicle or Parts Manufacturer
The vehicle manufacturer may be held liable if it manufactured a defective bus. Many bus accidents are the result of tire blowouts, brake issues or electrical malfunctions. In these situations, the parts manufacturer may be held liable if the parts were defective.
Other Driver
In some cases, another driver’s negligence causes the bus accident. For example, a driver may run a red light and collide with the bus. In these situations, the other driver may be legally liable for the accident.
Fault is a complex issue in bus accident claims, so it is important to consult with an experienced attorney who can properly evaluate the claim. Our licensed Yuma bus accident lawyers can thoroughly review the details of your claim to identify all parties who may share liability for the accident.
There are several reasons why bus accidents may occur. Often, the cause of the accident is attributed to the negligence of the bus driver or bus company. Some common examples of negligence that may result in a collision include:
Failing to keep a proper lookout for other vehicles or pedestrians
Violating traffic laws
Driving while impaired
Inadequate vehicle maintenance
Driving too fast for road conditions
Negligent hiring
Fatigued driving
Negligent training of bus drivers
Texting while driving
Mechanical or part defect
Overloading the vehicle
If you have been involved in a bus-related accident, it is in your best interest to have an experienced lawyer on your side. The Yuma bus accident lawyers at Phillips Law Group have a proven track record obtaining significant compensation on behalf of our clients throughout Yuma County. We charge no upfront fees.
What Should I Do After a Bus Accident?
Following a bus accident, you may be unsure about what your next steps. There are, however, certain things you can do in order to protect your well-being and protect your potential claim for compensation.
Report the Accident
Call 9-1-1 and inform the police of the bus accident. The responding officer will conduct his or her own investigation of the scene and file a police report based on their findings. Request a copy of the report since it could be a strong piece of evidence in your claim.
Seek Medical Treatment
Seek immediate medical treatment for any injuries you sustained in the accident. Even if you believe your injuries are only minor, they may be a sign of underlying issues like a traumatic brain injury or serious soft tissue injury. Many bus accident victims do not realize that they have been injured due to the adrenaline surge that occurs at the time of the collision. This can mask symptoms. Therefore, it is better to get checked out and uncover any hidden injuries.
Be sure that you mention the bus accident to the medical provider who treats you so that you can document the link between the accident and your injuries. Keep track of all of your medical records.
Document the Accident
If you are able, take pictures at the scene of the bus crash. Try to photograph anything that may have caused the accident or be relevant to your claim, such as:
Traffic signs
Damage to the bus and other vehicles
Other property damage
Skid marks
Weather and road conditions
Your injuries
Exchange information with others at the accident scene, such as the other passengers. Get the full name and contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident. Try to get the bus driver’s name and his or her insurance details.
Your personal injury lawyer may advise you to keep a pain journal in which you document your daily pain and discomfort and keep track of your doctor visits, treatment, medications and side effects.
Be Careful What You Say When Talking to Insurance Adjusters
While insurance adjusters may claim that they are concerned about your injuries, they are hired to represent the interests of the insurance company and to minimize payouts. Therefore, they will look for any reason to minimize or deny your claim
They may ask also you for a recorded statement only to try to get information that they can be used against you. Sometimes, they may even deliberately delay your claim in an effort to get you to settle quickly.
For these reasons, we encourage you to obtain competent legal representation before you speak to an insurance adjuster and before filing a claim.
Contact Our Scottdale Bus Accident Lawyers Today
Phillips Law Group has been providing legal counsel to Arizona residents for over 27 years. During this time, we have established an impressive track record of success. Founding partner Jeff Phillips is a Top-25 member of the Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association with extensive litigation experience.
Your initial consultation with our Yuma bus accident lawyers is 100 percent free and we charge no upfront fees. We can be reached 24/7 by phone or online.
Call 602-222-2222 today to learn how we can help you.
