A Step-by-Step Guide to Navigate Your Bus Accident Case Smoothly
Buses are meant to be a safe and convenient transport for everyone, but they cause over 300 fatalities every year. However, it can be extremely inconvenient to get compensation if you get injured in a bus accident.
There could be multiple liable parties that will try to pass the blame and sabotage your claim. We won’t let your pain and suffering be taken for granted. Our reputed Las Vegas bus accident lawyer has helped several victims get the compensation they deserve.
The Rise of Bus Accidents in Las Vegas
Buses have made a remarkable comeback as a popular choice of public transport over the last few years. Blame it on soaring gas prices, parking and maintenance costs, and jam-packed roads.
The RTC buses connect nearly every major tourist and commercial hotspot in Las Vegas. Over 180,000 commuters rely on RTC transit buses daily, including tourists and residents. It’s natural to see a rise in accidents now that bus routes are more active than ever and the overall traffic keeps increasing.
The Diverse Landscape of Bus Transportation
Las Vegas is a major residential and tourist hub. It provides a variety of convenient and cost-effective bus transport options. Each of them is operated by different authorities and is meant to serve a unique purpose.
Here are some of the common types of buses involved in our injury claim cases:
- School buses
- Tour buses
- Limo buses
- City buses
- Charter buses
- Shuttle buses
- Intercity buses
The Reality of Bus Accidents
Despite fewer vehicles on the road, bus accidents are still a concern. Vehicle accidents in Nevada increased by nearly 20 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year. Fortunately, there’s not been a significant spike in fatal bus accidents over the last 20 years.
Bus passengers tend to suffer minor injuries due to sudden jerks making them lose balance and bump into something. Bruises, sprained ligaments, whiplash, or small fractures are some of the common injuries they face.
However, pedestrians or drivers in smaller vehicles that collide against a bus aren’t so lucky. The sheer size and momentum of the bus are too much to bear for fragile bodies. They may face severe spinal injuries, concussions, herniated disks, fractures, loss of limbs, and organ damage.
The Urgency of Legal Assistance
There’s a difference between knowing your legal rights and taking legal action to protect them. The path to compensation involves a long series of complex steps.
Both you and the party at fault will have to justify your arguments and demands with solid evidence. And this whole process needs to be documented and conducted systematically within specific timeframes.
A skillful bus accident lawyer knows how to create and execute a customized legal roadmap to address every challenge on the way.
Causes of Bus Accidents
Here are the most common causes of bus accidents:
- Fatigue
- Reckless driving
- Impaired driving
- Maintenance issues
- Poor weather conditions
- Manufacturing defects
- Bad road conditions
Determining Fault in Bus Accidents
Pedestrians and passengers are seldom at fault in bus accidents. It may be easy to defend your liability in such cases. But it doesn’t mean proving the liability of the defendant is going to be easy. In fact, there could be multiple liable parties involved.
You may not even know who is responsible and what’s their share of fault. But your bus accident lawyer will lead a thorough investigation to sort this out.
Any party that neglected their duty of care and triggered your accident can be held liable for damages.
Here are some of the parties that may share responsibility for your bus accident:
- The driver of the bus
- Driver of another vehicle involved in the collision
- Bus company
- Bus manufacturer
- Bus maintenance company
- Government authorities in the case of public buses
The Value of Evidence Collection
You need more evidence than just your word when you file an injury claim. The depth and clarity of your evidence have two vital purposes – proving liability and establishing the severity of your damages.
It will help the authorities evaluate your claim to accurately reconstruct the bus accident scene. They’ll also be able to gauge whether your compensation demand actually matches the losses you’ve suffered.
Here are some critical pieces of evidence that your bus accident lawyer will pursue to build your claim:
- Police accident report
- Eyewitness statements
- Photos and videos of the accident site and your injuries
- Surveillance footage
- Expert witness testimony for accident reconstruction or medical opinions
- Medical reports
- Documented expenses tied to the accident
Statute of Limitations in Las Vegas
Filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit is subject to firm legal deadlines. In Nevada, you have to file your case within two years of the date of the bus accident to seek compensation for your damages.
This legal deadline is called the statute of limitations. Missing it would mean you’re forfeiting your rights to seek compensation from the party at fault.
Seeking Compensation Swiftly
Severe injuries require swift treatment. You may have to go through complicated surgeries and stay in the hospital for weeks.
Your medical bills can blow through the five-figure or six-figure mark quite easily in such cases. So it’s critical for your insurance claim to go through smoothly to cover your urgent medical care and long-term recovery. Delaying it could push you into a difficult financial situation that you may not recover from.
Bus Companies’ Responsibility for Safety
Don’t underestimate the influence of bus companies or operators in your accident. The bus driver may have acted negligently, but these entities may share some liability too.
They are responsible for hiring the driver at fault. For instance, it’s possible that they failed to conduct proper background checks or train their drivers. Bus companies must also conduct regular inspections and maintenance of their vehicles to ensure they’re up to the mark.
Anthem Injury Lawyers: Your Partner in Bus Accident Claims
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, contact the experienced attorneys at Anthem Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation before speaking to your insurance company. Our bus accident attorneys in Las Vegas will assist you with your claim to ensure you receive maximum compensation.
Our legal team understands how a traffic accident can change your and your family’s lives. We can help you receive the financial resources you need to build a better life. Contact us today for a free legal consultation so we can start building the most effective strategy to get you compensated quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a bus accident in Las Vegas?
Here are some important steps you should take right after a bus accident:
- Inform the local police authorities about the accident
- Gather visual evidence of your damages and injuries
- Seek urgent medical attention and begin treatment
- Hire a reputed bus accident lawyer to file your claim or lawsuit
Can I seek compensation if I’m a passenger or pedestrian involved in a bus accident?
Yes. Any injured passengers or pedestrians injured in a bus accident due to negligence are entitled to compensation.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Las Vegas?
The statute of limitation for personal injury cases in Las Vegas is two years. It means you can only file a claim or lawsuit within two years from the date of your accident. Missing this legal deadline could disqualify you from seeking compensation.
What role does negligence play in bus accident cases?
You can only seek compensation for your damages if you can prove the negligence of a party involved in the accident. It’s possible that there are more parties liable for your accident apart from the bus driver. The bus company, bus maintenance service, or manufacturer could share fault too.
However, the burden of proof is on you. You have to legally establish that these parties owed you a duty of care and violated it. This negligence was the proximate cause of your accident, which led to your injuries and losses.
How can Anthem Injury Lawyers help me with my bus accident claim?
Here’s how our team of skillful bus accident lawyers can assist you:
- Giving you a free case review and guiding you before beginning your legal process
- Assessing your damages to secure your immediate and long-term financial needs
- Relieving you of all communication and documentation burdens related to your legal process
- Crafting a personalized strategy to fast-track your claim
- Conducting a thorough investigation and using a network of expert witnesses to back up your claim
- Negotiating firmly with insurance providers to maximize your settlement
- Taking your case to trial