Las Vegas Bus Accident: Who is At Fault and What to Do Next
Many people take the public bus to get to work, run errands, or to go to the doctor’s office. Maybe it is their primary mode of transportation. Others might take the bus because their car is getting repaired, or they want to save some gas money. Tourists will often take public transportation as a way to see the city. Students take school buses to get to school. In other words, there are many reasons people all over the city take the bus. So, what happens when you’re on a Las Vegas bus that gets into an accident?
For a free legal consultation, call (702) 857-6000
Types of Las Vegas Bus Accidents
When we ride the bus, we are entrusting our lives to the bus driver. It is easy to feel safe. The bus is usually big and doesn’t require seat belts or any other safety restraint. Commuter and charter buses often have nice, cushioned seats and television screens to make you feel more like you’re on a luxury train than a regular old bus. Regardless, buses can be just as dangerous as car accidents.
Although buses are less likely to get into an accident than other modes of transportation, they can cause much more serious injuries. Buses have a high center of gravity, which makes them more prone to rollovers. Many buses don’t have seat belts. Passengers are often required to hold onto their belongings, which increases the risk of projectiles during a sudden stop.
Bus Types
Here are the different types of bus accidents you could be vulnerable to, depending on your mode of travel.
- Public Bus. Many people rely on public transit systems to get around town. It can be an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to driving your own car. But bus drivers are susceptible to the same distractions we are when we’re behind the wheel. Wear and tear on buses can make the bus vulnerable to accidents as well.
- Charter Bus. Tours, casino excursions, and private parties often use private or charter buses. Although these buses are usually high-end, they can still cause serious injury if involved in a crash.
- School Bus. This is one of the scarier types of bus accidents because it involves our children. Parents and guardians trust school bus drivers to transport their children to and from school safely. However, school bus accidents do happen. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, school buses account for more bus fatalities per year than any other kind of bus.
- Employee Bus. Some employers use buses to transport their employees to job sites or the office. Last year, a Coach USA bus transporting 20 mine workers in Eureka County, northeast Nevada, collided with a tractor-trailer. Five passengers were in critical condition and one died at the scene.
- Airport Bus. Hotels, overnight parking lots, and rideshare lots will use buses to transport travelers to the airport. This can be a convenient way to catch a flight, but you could get into an accident before you can even check in!
Who Is At Fault in a Las Vegas Bus Accident?
Figuring out who is liable in a Las Vegas bus accident isn’t as straightforward as a regular car accident.
If the bus is hit by another vehicle, then a third party is likely at fault. You may be able to make a third-party claim with the driver’s insurer or file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for injuries, disability, medical expenses, present lost income, future lost income, and pain and suffering.
If the bus driver is at fault, navigating an accident claim depends on whom they work for.
If the bus is run by a charter or private bus company, the company behind the charter may be liable in the accident. It’s also possible that maintenance workers who repair the bus could be at fault.
Often buses are operated by government entities like the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) or school districts. If the bus accident is the fault of a driver who is employed by a governmental agency, then special rules may apply. For example, claims against governmental agencies may be subject to a shorter statute of limitations.
Figuring out what to do after a bus accident in Las Vegas can be confusing. It might be best to consult with a personal injury lawyer who is experienced with bus accident claims to help you through the process. At Anthem Injury Lawyers, we offer free consultations on bus accident claims..
Have you been involved in a Las Vegas area bus accident? If you’re injured, we can come to you for a free case review. Consult with us about your case and let our personal injury lawyers represent you against those responsible for your accident. Anthem Injury Lawyers offers you years of experience winning car, bus, truck and more vehicle accident cases. Call us today: (702) 857-6000.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
What To Do If You’re in a Bus Accident
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported a number of bus accidents in the last few years. According to their recent report, 11.8% of fatal crashes in the U.S. involved at least one large truck or bus in 2016. 7.4% of nonfatal crashes involved at least one large truck or bus. In 2016 there were 69,000 buses involved in an accident. There were 15,000 buses involved in a crash resulting in injury and there were 4,079 buses involved in a fatal accident.
Experiencing a bus accident can be disorienting, frightening or confusing. However, the steps you should take after a bus accident are similar to the steps you would take after a car accident. Below are some tips on what to do after a bus accident.
- See a doctor. If you were involved in a bus crash, the first thing you want to do is seek medical attention. This is just like if you were in a car accident, but on a bus the bus driver will most likely call 911. In the event that the bus driver is injured or, worse, died at the scene, you’ll want to take matters into your own hands. Even if you think you are fine, still seek professional medical attention. Sometimes injuries don’t show up until after the accident. For example, brain trauma, back pain, spinal injuries, and whiplash can take days or weeks to develop.
- Document the scene of the crash. Try to collect as much information about the accident scene as possible if you are well enough to do so. Take photographs of the crash from different angles. Document the location, street signs, signals or stop signs. As soon as you can, write down what you remember about the accident, the moments leading up to it and the aftermath.
- Get contact information. Gather names and contact information of other passengers, the driver, witnesses, and anyone else involved in the accident. This information could be useful to your personal injury attorney in the future. Even though it is the job of authorities to gather this information, it’s better you don’t have to rely on anyone else. When the police arrive, get the officer’s name and contact information as well.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Experienced Las Vegas Bus Accident Attorneys
Anthem Injury Lawyers offers you the best chance to receive the compensation due to you as a victim in a bus accident. When you have our Las Vegas law firm represent you, you’ll receive legal services from an attorney with specialized knowledge and skills, which can make all the difference in winning your case. Your personal injury attorney at our firm will deal with special bus laws, commercial bus company policies, and special insurance coverage rules. These are all well-known to your Anthem Injury Lawyers attorney, who offers years of experience representing bus accident victims.
It is important to work with bus accident lawyers who can properly manage all of the issues involved in a complex bus accident case; we encourage you to get in touch with us today.
Anthem Injury Lawyers have experienced bus accident attorneys who are ready to help you. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Call or text (702) 857-6000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
