Bus Accident LAWYERS in Phoenix
Buses are in accidents for many reasons. The first is how buses move in and out of traffic as they pull over at their many stops. Bus drivers continuously turn, stop, start, and change lanes. At the same time, they must deal with passengers.
We cannot overstate the skill and training required to drive a bus. Many veteran bus drivers do their jobs safely, getting their passengers to and from their destination.
However, bus driver negligence or other mishaps can cause accidents and severe injuries to passengers and other drivers. If you suffered an injury because of a bus driver's careless or reckless acts, you may seek financial compensation. The road ahead can be complex, but you do not have to navigate it alone.
Bus accident victims in Phoenix trust the attorneys at Gallagher & Kennedy to handle complicated, high-value bus crash cases. Our Phoenix bus accident lawyers have helped settle mass claims against bus manufacturers. We have recovered over $60 million for injured victims and their families across three separate bus crashes.
We know how to fight complex bus crash claims. Our Phoenix bus accident attorneys are ready to assess and protect your rights.
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Phoenix bus accident guide
Common Causes of Phoenix Bus Accidents
Before the pandemic, Valley Metro buses transported 50 million people each year in the Phoenix area. Although ridership numbers have fallen recently, they are beginning to rise again.
Other people ride private buses and shuttles for school transportation, group outings, or long-distance travel. Most of these trips happen without incident, and riders safely make it to their destination.
However, like many employers across the country, Valley Metro struggles to retain and recruit drivers. There are not enough bus drivers in Phoenix, and the transit provider has scrambled to cover all of its routes. More inexperienced drivers are behind the wheel than ever before. Rookie mistakes are a real risk.
Arizona saw more than 700 bus related accidents in the most recent reporting year, according to AZDOT.
Examples of Bus Driver Negligence
A bus driver has the well-being of many people in their hands, but their actions do not always reflect it.
Bus driver negligence can cause accidents from:
- Not carefully checking the lane beside them as they change lanes or turn
- Distracted driving from checking their phone or sending a text while driving
- Running a stop sign or red light
- Drowsy driving because the operator either worked overtime or drove late at night
- Misjudging the distance between the bus and other vehicles
Potential Defendants in a Bus Accident Case
The bus driver is not always the only party at fault. In a Phoenix bus accident, liability can extend beyond the driver alone.
In some cases, another driver causes the collision and injures bus passengers. You would then file a claim against that driver or their insurance company. Mechanical failures, such as brake failure, may also be a factor. When that happens, you can pursue the company that manufactured the bus or the defective part.
How to Win a Bus Accident Lawsuit
You must show that someone else caused your injuries to win a bus accident lawsuit. If you were an injured passenger on the bus, you might hold the negligent driver responsible. If you were a driver injured in a bus crash, you must prove that the driver did not uphold their duty of care.
A four-part test applies when you try to prove negligence. Essentially, you must prove that the bus driver did something that the average bus driver should not have done, whether through an active mistake or inattention.
Here are the four elements of the negligence test:
- The other party owed you the duty to exercise reasonable care
- They breached their duty of care by acting unreasonably under the circumstances
- You suffered an injury, whether it was physical or damage to your property
- You would not have suffered an injury were it not for the wrongful actions of the other party
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The Common Carrier Doctrine and How it Affects Your Case
The common carrier doctrine applies when a bus company transports the general public for a fee. A common carrier is held to a higher standard of care than the average person. This elevated standard can make it easier to prove negligence in a bus accident case.
The Gallagher & Kennedy Team Gets Results
We guide you through the entire legal process and work to get you the outcome you need. Do not face a bus accident claim unprepared. Reach out today to get your free consultation.
What Are Some Common Bus Accident Injuries?
Buses present unique dangers for both passengers and those involved in collisions with them. Passengers may assume they are safe because a bus is larger than a car. That is not always the case.
Bus engineering does not always prioritize passenger safety. Passengers have no seatbelts. Some stand on crowded buses. One sudden movement or impact can cause a passenger to lose their footing and fall.
The most common bus accident injuries for passengers are neck and back injuries. Sudden movement can cause passengers to fall or move unnaturally. Even a "minor" crash can cause lasting injuries that require surgery and rehabilitation.
Passengers can also suffer fractures from falls and contact with hard surfaces inside the bus. Head impacts can result in traumatic brain injuries with lasting complications. Any bus accident injury can mean significant medical costs.
The consequences for motorists in collisions with buses can be even more severe. The average bus weighs 30,000 to 40,000 pounds — not counting passengers. That size disparity often means catastrophic injuries for occupants of the smaller vehicle.
Tour and Intercity Bus Accidents
A tour bus or intercity bus accident can injure you anywhere along a route — for example, traveling to or from the Grand Canyon.
Tour bus operators sometimes cut corners to protect profits. They may put buses on the road that need maintenance or are past their prime. Some companies also employ drivers they have not adequately screened.
Intercity buses have seen their share of accidents as the industry has decentralized. Numerous smaller companies now compete in a space once dominated by major carriers. These businesses may not even be aware of their drivers' poor safety records.
Bus-pedestrian collisions are another serious concern. Buses often make right turns and pull out of traffic. Pedestrians can suffer severe injuries when a bus strikes them. Survivors of these crashes commonly face traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or other catastrophic harm.
How you recover compensation depends on who is liable in your specific situation. Special rules apply if Valley Metro or another government agency was responsible.
Are There Special Rules for Filing a Lawsuit Against Valley Metro?
You can sue a negligent government agency just as you can sue any other defendant. However, you must file a claim directly with the agency first. Time limits are strict.
In Arizona, the regular statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit is two years from when you suffered an injury. When you have a claim against a government agency, you have 180 days to notify them. You will present the claim to them first, and they will handle it administratively.
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Local Government Is Difficult to Deal With
Phoenix will decide whether to settle your claim. If they choose to, they will make an offer. You negotiate from there — much like dealing with an insurance company.
Do not assume the government will act in your best interest. Their experienced attorneys work against your legal rights. Having a skilled Phoenix bus accident attorney on your side levels the playing field.
The government does not get the final say. If you cannot reach an agreement or if they deny your claim, you can file a lawsuit in civil court.
Phoenix has paid millions of dollars to past bus accident victims, and you can hold the city liable for your crash. But you need the right attorney to fight for full compensation in your case. You need Gallagher & Kennedy.
Your Damages in a Bus Accident Case
A bus collision often leaves victims facing more than immediate medical bills. Because buses are large, heavy vehicles, crashes frequently cause severe injuries, long recovery times, and major financial strain. If your accident involved a private bus company or another non-public entity, Arizona's standard personal injury rules apply. You may recover compensation for the full extent of your losses.
Your compensation may include:
Medical expenses (past and future):
Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, medication, mobility devices, and any long-term rehabilitation needs.
Lost income and reduced earning capacity:
If your injuries prevent you from returning to work—temporarily or permanently—you may recover wages you’ve already lost and compensation for future earning limitations.
Property damage:
If the bus struck your vehicle or damaged personal items, compensation may cover repair or replacement costs.
Pain and suffering:
Arizona law allows recovery for the physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and trauma caused by the crash—even when these harms are difficult to quantify.
Loss of enjoyment of life:
Many bus accident victims experience long-term limitations that interfere with daily routines, hobbies, exercise, and family activities.
Permanent disability, disfigurement, or scarring:
Severe orthopedic injuries, burns, facial injuries, and spinal trauma may result in permanent changes that dramatically affect quality of life.
If your loved one was killed in a collision involving a charter bus, school bus, tour bus, or commercial passenger vehicle, your family may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Arizona law allows surviving spouses, children, and parents to seek compensation for loss of companionship, lost financial support, funeral expenses, and other damages connected to the fatal crash.
The Challenges of Getting Enough Money After Your Bus Accident
Even when liability is clear, you may still have to fight for fair compensation.
Your attorney starts by determining how much you should seek in damages. Then they work to get it. That means rejecting low settlement offers and pushing insurers or the city to raise their offer. Lawsuits cost defendants money to defend. Filing suit often prompts a fairer settlement offer. If it does not, we are prepared to take your case to court and fight for what you need to recover.
FAQ: Phoenix Bus Accident Claims
Who can be held liable in a Phoenix bus accident?
Liability depends on the type of bus and how the crash occurred. Responsible parties may include the bus driver, a private bus company, a school district, a charter or tour operator, the City of Phoenix or Valley Metro for public transit cases, a negligent motorist, or a vehicle or parts manufacturer. An attorney investigates all possible defendants to make sure no source of compensation is overlooked.
What should I do after a bus accident if I was a passenger or another driver?
Seek medical care immediately. Then gather photos, witness statements, bus numbers, and insurance details if possible. Report the crash to law enforcement. Avoid speaking to insurance adjusters until you have spoken with a Phoenix bus accident attorney. Bus accident cases often involve multiple insurers, and early statements can be misused.
How are claims against public buses different from those against private bus companies?
Claims involving public entities — like Valley Metro or a government-run school bus — fall under Arizona's Notice of Claim statute. You may have only 180 days to file notice and one year to file a lawsuit. Claims against private companies follow Arizona's standard statute of limitations, generally two years. Deadlines differ, so early legal review is critical.
What damages can I recover after a bus accident?
You may recover medical bills, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, property damage, and compensation for long-term disabilities or scarring. In fatal cases, families may pursue wrongful death damages. Catastrophic injuries often require expert assessments to calculate lifetime care costs.
What if multiple people were injured in the bus crash? Do we share compensation?
You do not share a single settlement. Each injured victim has an independent claim with individually calculated damages. However, multiple claimants can complicate insurance negotiations — especially when bus companies carry layered policies. An attorney can protect your claim from being undervalued.
Do I need a lawyer for a bus accident case?
Yes. Bus accident cases are complex. They may involve public entities, large transportation companies, federal safety regulations, black-box data, and multiple insurance carriers. A Phoenix bus accident lawyer can investigate the crash, preserve evidence, meet strict deadlines, negotiate with insurers, and pursue litigation if needed.
Contact a Phoenix Bus Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a bus accident, the attorneys at Gallagher & Kennedy are ready to go to work for you. We are not afraid to take on powerful government entities or large bus companies.
Reach out for your free, no-risk initial consultation. We represent bus accident victims throughout the Phoenix area.
We work on a contingency basis. You do not pay anything up front unless we win your bus accident case.
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