Prescott Bus Accident Lawyer

Bus accidents can cause severe injuries to bus passengers and other drivers and pedestrians. Unfortunately, these crashes are often preventable because they were caused by negligent bus drivers and bus companies.

If you or a loved one was injured in a bus accident, you may be eligible to seek compensation. The dedicated legal team at Phillips Law Group has been helping accident victims in Arizona gain fair compensation for nearly three decades. Our firm has represented over 155,000 clients and recovered over $1 billion. Founding partner Jeffrey Phillips is a Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association – Top 25 member and a National Trial Lawyers Association – Top 100 member.

Call today to schedule a free and confidential case review. We work on a contingency basis so there are no upfront or hidden fees and we only get paid when we win your case on your behalf.

Ph: 602-222-2222 or fill out a Free Case Evaluation form.

How Do I Know if I Am Eligible to File a Claim?

The answer to this question depends on many factors that can be discussed with a licensed attorney.

At Phillips Law Group, our team of knowledgeable Prescott bus accident lawyers manages bus accident cases involving many different types of buses and large vehicles:

• City buses ”“ Although these buses are usually traveling at low speed around the city, accidents can still be incredibly dangerous for passengers and other drivers.
• Tour buses ”“ Seats on these vehicles are often not facing the front of the bus. This increases the risk of passengers being thrown around the bus in a crash.
• School buses ”“ Serious injuries often occur because occupants are not wearing seat belts, which these vehicles usually do not have.
• Charter buses ”“ These buses are usually heavier than other kinds of buses because they are carrying luggage, in addition to passengers. The added weight, along with the lack of seat belts, can increase the risk for severe injuries if the bus crashes.
• 15-passenger vans ”“ Sports teams often use these vehicles to attend games/matches. Unfortunately, they are often being driven on highways and interstates, where vehicles are going faster and there is a higher risk of a dangerous crash.

These vehicles are often owned by haulage companies, rental companies and leasing companies and usually have different amounts of insurance coverage. If you have a valid case, your lawyer can review the available coverage to determine how much may be available.

Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. Our Prescott bus accident lawyers provide a free consultation to accident victims.

How Much Compensation May be Available?

Article 2, Section 31 of the Arizona Constitution states there can be no law created to limit the amount of damages that can be recovered for the death or injury of any person. That means there is no cap on the amount of compensation your lawyer can pursue in a personal injury claim.

However, the amount of compensation that may be available depends on the physical, financial and emotional damages suffered.

These damages are commonly divided into two different categories, economic and non-economic damages:

Economic damages are financial costs related to an injury, including by not limited to:

It is important to note medical expenses include any past expenses you may have already paid for, along with future medical treatment you may need. For example, if your doctor recommends rehabilitation for a full year, this may be included in your compensation award as well.

Non-economic damages refer to the physical and emotional effects of your injuries, including:

If you are awarded compensation, you may have to reimburse your health insurance company for any costs they covered from your accident, in a process called subrogation.

Who May Be Held Accountable?

If the bus driver engaged in negligent behavior, he or she will most likely be found at fault for the accident. For example, the bus driver would likely be considered negligent if he or she was distracted by something like a cellphone at the time of the accident.

However, bus drivers may not be the only individuals/entities responsible for a bus accident. There could be multiple parties at fault, such as:

Bus Company

The company that owns the bus is legally obligated to make sure its vehicles are properly maintained, and its drivers are trained to safely operate the bus. If the bus company is found to be negligent with safety regulations such as missing vehicle inspections or overworking its drivers, it may be held liable for the accident.

Maintenance Company

Bus companies may outsource maintenance and repairs to a third party. If the bus accident was found to be the result of a lack of maintenance or repairs, that company may be held accountable.

Manufacturer

If the accident is found be the result of a defective part or poor design, the manufacturer of that part could be held liable.

School District

If the school district hires a bus driver and the driver is found to be at fault for the accident and later found to be unqualified, due to lack of training or inadequate certifications, the school district may be held responsible.

Another Driver

If the bus accident was caused by another vehicle, the driver of that vehicle could be held liable. For example, if the other vehicle drove through a red light and crashed into the bus, the driver of the other vehicle could be held liable for your injuries.

Determining fault in a bus accident can be a difficult task. You want someone with experience on your side. The injury lawyers at the Phillips Group have nearly 30 years of experience helping personal injury victims recover the compensation they deserve.

We are ready to review your claim at no cost and you are not obligated to hire us to represent you if you have a case.

Call 602-222-2222 for a free consultation or fill out our free online form.

What is the Deadline to File a Claim?

The Arizona statute of limitations states that most personal injury victims have two years from the date the injury was discovered to file a personal injury claim.

However, there are some instances where the deadline may be shortened or extended. For example, minors have two years after their 18th birthday to file a claim and if your claim is against a government body, you only have 180 days from the day you discovered your injury to provide notice of claim.

What Should I Do After a Bus Accident?

After suffering an injury in a bus accident, victims often wonder what to do next. Some steps you can take to help protect your claim and aid in your physical recovery include:

Calling the Police

Dial 9-1-1 to call the police and report the accident. When the police arrive, they will investigate and file a report that may be a crucial piece of evidence in your injury claim.

Seeking Medical Attention

Even if you do not feel any pain, it is important to see a medical professional immediately after the accident. It could take a few hours or days before you start feeling pain or other signs of injuries. If you wait too long, the insurance companies may try to hold this against you, which may devalue your claim. Be sure to mention the accident to the doctor and save a copy of any documentation received from your visit. This information helps to link your injury to the accident.

Collecting Evidence

Try to write down everything that happened before, during and after the accident as soon as you can. It is easy to forget important details in the hours and days after a bus crash. When you are at the scene, take pictures of the following from different angles:

Be sure to collect the names and contact information of the bus driver and any other drivers involved in the accident. You should also exchange contact information and collect statements from any possible witnesses. If granted permission, record a video of the witnesses issuing a statement about the accident.

Avoid Speaking to Insurance Adjusters

After the accident, insurance adjusters will most likely try to contact you. Be careful with what you say to them because they are looking for a way to devalue your claim. For example, answering a simple question like “Are you feeling better?” may end up lowering the value of an insurance company’s settlement offer. If you tell them you are feeling better, they may use this statement to claim your injuries are not that severe.

You are not obligated to speak to the insurance company about your accident. You can also refer the insurance company to your attorney. If you do speak to an insurance company representative, give them only the basic information such as when and where the accident happened.

These are just some of the reasons why we encourage you to contact a Prescott bus accident attorney from the Phillips Law Group. If you decide to let us handle your case, our experienced team of legal professionals is prepared to manage the entire process, including investigating and negotiating for a fair settlement.

Call Phillips Law Group anytime 24-7 to schedule your free consultation.

What Causes Bus Accidents?

While there may be numerous reasons why bus accidents occur, most of them involve some form of negligence, either by the bus driver, the bus company or by other drivers on the road.

Some forms of negligent behavior known to have caused bus accidents include:

If you believe negligence was involved in your bus accident, you may be eligible for compensation. Our knowledgeable Prescott bus accident lawyers offer a free consultation.

Our firm’s founder, Jeffrey Phillips, has obtained verdicts in Yavapai, Maricopa, Navajo, Mohave, Gila, Pima and Pinal counties.

Common Bus Accident Injuries

Some of the more common bus accident injuries include:

If you were injured in a bus accident, you may have legal options. The Prescott bus accident lawyers at our firm are here to help.

Need Help? Contact Our Prescott Bus Accident Attorneys Today

Proving negligence in a bus accident claim can be a complicated task. Accident victims who hire an attorney usually receive larger compensation awards than those who try to handle it on their own.

The Prescott bus accident attorneys at the Phillips Law Group have extensive knowledge about the factors involved in bus crashes and how to build a strong case. We have an entire team of legal professionals ready to go to work on pursuing fair compensation.

Schedule your free consultation to find out if you may be eligible for compensation. You will not be obligated to let us handle your case and there are no upfront or hidden fees. We do not get paid unless you are awarded compensation.

Call the Phillips Law Group today at 602-222-2222 to learn more or fill out our Free Case Evaluation form.