Bus accidents occur more often than people realize and they are inherently more dangerous than other types of motor vehicle accidents. Buses are larger and heavier vehicles, carrying dozens of passengers, often without seat belts. This creates a high risk of passengers and people in other vehicles suffering serious personal injuries when a bus is involved in an accident and possibly needing the assistance of a bus accident lawyer.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a bus accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages or losses. Consider contacting a Phoenix, AZ bus accident lawyer at Phillips Law Group to schedule a free consultation.
We can review your case, determine your legal options, and put our resources toward obtaining a favorable outcome for you. We take cases involving many types of bus accidents, including those that occur on bus routes in the city and those on freeways.
Our trusted personal injury attorneys have recovered more than $500 million in compensation over the past 20 years, and we work on a contingency fee basis. This means we do not charge any upfront costs or fees and only require payment if we recover compensation on your behalf. There is no risk in contacting our firm to discuss your accident and get the legal assistance you deserve.
Learn more about bus accidents in Arizona, including statistics about economic losses and the main causes of these crashes.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation there were a total of 1,225 bus accidents throughout the state in 2012. Furthermore these bus accidents accounted for 278 total injuries. As there are several different forms of buses traveling on our Phoenix roadways, there are bound to be accidents, injuries, and even some fatalities. Of course, bus drivers are required to possess certain licenses in order to operate these large vehicles; often times negligent drivers may become involved in an accident with them. Our team at Phillips Law Group have great sympathy for those injured in accidents involving buses and believe that the victims may be entitled to compensation benefits for their losses including; medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and possible funeral expenses. For additional information, simply complete our Free Case Review form on this page.
Many people throughout the state depend on public buses and school buses as a means of everyday transportation. Of course, there are several other types of buses which can be involved in accidents throughout our city and state. Some common types of buses seen on our roadways include:
Given the great variety of buses, there are many types of accidents which may occur. These accidents can be caused by a number of different situations, all of which a Phoenix, AZ bus accident attorney could help with.
Individuals may be boarding and un-boarding buses constantly, thus the bus is forced to stop and go, which can cause great hazards on the roadway as well as to pedestrians in the surrounding area. Thus, there are several dangers presented to those riding buses. Some of these dangers include:
Of course, there are several other types of dangers that post a threat to all the individuals riding the bus as well as individuals in other vehicles. These dangers come in the form of an accident with another vehicle.
As buses are used for many different reasons, there are many different causes and types of accidents, while these accidents may not always be at the fault of the bus driver. Many drivers fail to recognize the restrictions that a large bus possesses, especially when they are full of people. A few common bus accidents include:
Following these types of accidents, there will typically be injuries as these are extremely large vehicles and carry a great amount of force.
In most cases, the severity of the accident injuries is related to the type of bus accident which occurred. As one can imagine, a bus accident with a pedestrian or bicyclist would most likely cause more injuries that one with a larger vehicle. Of course, this will typically depend on the speed of the accident and other factors as well. Some types of bus accident injuries include:
If you have been injured in a bus accident due to the negligent actions of another individual, our Arizona attorneys advise seeking immediate medical attention. Any medical documents obtained can be used by our attorneys to develop a case against these negligent individuals and entities.
In Arizona, bus accident cases often involve multiple defendants. A skilled Phoenix attorney can identify all potential defendants in the aftermath of a bus collision who could be held liable for compensation.
Depending on the cause of the crash, the following parties may be held liable:
Identifying the right defendant is crucial due to differing legal requirements to file a lawsuit. For example, most bus accident claims must be filed within two years of the date of the crash. However, if the case involves a public or government entity, a formal notice of the claim must be filed within 180 days of the injury. A lawsuit must then be filed within one year.
The Common Carrier Doctrine is a legal principle that dictates the level of responsibility a transportation entity owes to its passengers. A common carrier is any individual or entity that transports people or goods for a fee and offers its services to the general public. Examples include:
Historically, common carriers were bound to exercise the highest degree of care that was practicable. This meant they could be held liable for even the slightest negligence. In Arizona, common carriers are now held to the reasonable person standard—the same standard of care as a typical driver. The carrier must act with the same level of care that a reasonably prudent, sober, and informed driver would exercise in similar circumstances.
Arizona common carriers still have a special relationship with passengers that may require them to take reasonable steps to protect riders from risks created by third parties (such as other passengers or hazardous road conditions). Common carriers remain subject to strict state and federal safety regulations.
A failure to follow these specific safety protocols can be used as evidence of negligence per se in a lawsuit, a legal doctrine where violating a statute or regulation—such as traffic laws or safety codes—automatically establishes a breach of duty. A Phoenix bus accident attorney can leverage the Common Carrier Doctrine to establish a duty of care in personal injury claims. This can aid in proving negligence against bus companies, operators, and public transit entities.
At The Phillips Law Group, our Phoenix, AZ bus accident lawyers have many years of experience fighting for the justice of those injured due to the negligent actions of individuals. We will strive for the MAXIMUM compensation benefits available in the court of law so you can stop worrying about how you will pay for medical expenses and let us take care of it for you. With headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona our attorneys are able to serve throughout the state and elsewhere. A few of the local areas we serve include:
For more information, contact us today or complete the Free Cases Review form on this page.
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