When bus accidents happen, they can leave bus passengers, drivers of passenger vehicles, and pedestrians with serious injuries. Bus drivers are supposed to be well-trained, but all it takes is a negligent bus driver to cause a bus crash.
Since there are often other parties responsible for bus accidents, it is imperative that you discuss your bus accident case with a Denver bus accident lawyer. The Denver bus accident attorneys at Ganderton Law can help you with your bus accident claim.
We will make your personal injury case a personal endeavor when we fight tirelessly for your legal rights. If you have been in a bus accident, schedule a free consultation with a Denver bus accident lawyer from our law firm today.
What Causes Bus Accidents in Denver, CO?
An accident involving a common carrier can be caused in many ways. In Colorado, bus accident cases with common carriers are unfortunately common since Denver is a major metropolitan area. This means a variety of buses are on the roads at any given time.
Accidents involving school buses with children, city buses in the mass transportation circuit, tour buses, and more in the Denver metropolitan area can easily lead to an injury claim because seat belts are generally not used. Without seatbelts, there is little to prevent serious injury to passengers in a collision involving buses.
Bus accidents are usually caused by bus driver negligence in the following ways:
- Speeding
- Failure to obey traffic signals
- Distracted driving
- Driving while drowsy
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Reckless driving
It is important to understand that while bus drivers and their actions are often the most common causes of bus accidents, they are not the only ones who may be at fault for causing a bus accident. Colorado bus accidents may have multiple liable parties that will owe you financial compensation for your injuries. Bus accident victims should speak with a Denver bus accident attorney immediately to find out more about their legal options and get representation for this complex legal process.
Understanding the Relevance of Common Carrier Laws
Buses transporting passengers are called common carriers, which complicates things because they have to obey federal safety laws and regulations. These are in addition to any requirements set by the regional transportation district.
This means that these types of personal injury cases are much more complex than other types of motor vehicle accidents, like a motorcycle or car crash. Whether you were using public transportation to commute or your child was on a school bus, any accident involving a bus can be traumatic and you will want to be sure the responsible parties are held liable.
The best way to handle your bus accident case is to work with a Denver bus accident lawyer from Ganderton Law. We always work to get the injured party fair compensation, and provide the personal attention you deserve throughout your personal injury claim.
Who May Be Liable for Your Bus Accident Injuries?
After a Denver bus accident, injury victims often don’t know where to turn for help. Whether injured while driving other vehicles or as a passenger on the bus, your injuries deserve to be compensated by the at-fault parties.
As previously mentioned, bus accidents can be very complicated. If you were the victim in a bus accident, a bus accident lawyer from our legal team can investigate and determine the liable parties.
Bus Drivers
If the bus driver behaved in a negligent way on the road, they can be held liable for paying compensation to the injured. Bus drivers are supposed to obey the rules and regulations set by federal and local governments as well as traffic laws to protect passengers. A breach in the duty of care means you can seek compensation for your medical bills and other expenses.
Bus Companies
Every bus company must also do its part to protect the people that are shuttled around Denver on their buses. Bus companies can be liable in a bus crash if they do not follow the regulations for hiring drivers, following laws, or fail to maintain their fleet. When a bus company neglects to do the right thing, they can also be held liable for the bus accident.
Bus Manufacturer
Serious accidents are often the result when a bus manufacturer is negligent. In some cases, the bus company may have done everything right to transport passengers safely. The manufacturer of the bus or parts used to maintain the bus may be liable if their equipment was defective.
A Government Agency
Government liability may be a factor that further complicates your bus accident claim. It may be the local government responsible for the buses or the entity in charge of maintaining the roads. When the government is involved in a bus accident, you need a bus accident attorney to guide you through the legal process.
Other Drivers
There may be other drivers involved in the bus accident that could have caused the bus to crash. When the driver of another vehicle cuts off a bus, for example, the bus will not have enough time or distance to stop safely, leading to an accident on the road.
If you have been in a bus accident, contact an experienced attorney from Ganderton Law immediately to discuss your case during a free case evaluation.
The Importance of Hiring a Denver Bus Accident Attorney
Hiring a bus accident lawyer is imperative after a bus accident. When you choose Ganderton Law LLC, we immediately begin crafting a legal strategy and gathering crucial evidence to support your claim. You will need all the help you can get because the bus company, driver, and other parties will all try to shift blame to one another.
If you were a passenger on a bus, expect the insurance company to use various tactics to lower your payout. Those in other vehicles that were hit by a bus may also experience issues with the insurance company who may try to blame them for the accident.
Colorado is an at-fault driving state where the driver who caused the accident is responsible for paying compensation to those who sustained injuries. Additionally, the law of modified comparative negligence will also apply, which may assign some blame to each driver. If you are held 50% or more at fault for the bus accident, you will be barred from seeking compensation.
Insurance adjusters may sound sympathetic, but they are trained to act this way to get you to say something that could be used as an admission of fault. If you were injured in a bus accident, you will likely have medical expenses and lost wages due to your injuries, along with emotional distress from this harrowing experience. Contact a Denver personal injury lawyer today for a free consultation to learn how they can provide you with the personal attention you deserve throughout this ordeal.
What to Do After an Accident with a Bus in Denver
In order to hold bus companies and other liable parties responsible for your injuries, you need to take a few steps to help you protect your legal rights.
Call the Police
It is essential for you to call 911 to get officers to respond to the accident scene. Not only will they fill out a police report, but they will also have first responders come to treat your injuries.
Get Immediate Medical Attention
Many passengers, pedestrians, or people driving other vehicles are inclined to wave off paramedics. You may not think you are hurt, but it is critical that you seek treatment from a medical professional. Your injuries may not require urgent medical care in the emergency room, but left untreated, they could worsen and cause complications. The medical records you establish on the day of the accident can help prove your injuries were caused by the bus accident.
Get Contact Information
If you were driving your vehicle, you would need to exchange information with any driver in the accident. No matter if you were a passenger or a driver, it also helps to speak with witnesses. They can provide crucial details of what they saw to help your case.
Speak with a Denver Bus Accident Attorney Immediately
If you are injured in a collision with a bus as a passenger or while driving your car, it is a mistake to try to handle your case on your own. Whether you were injured yourself or the bus accident resulted in the death of a loved one, it might be too much for you to endure.
At Ganderton Law LLC, we are committed to providing the personal attention you need throughout your case. We represent victims of bus accidents with the utmost compassion and work to get compensation for all your financial losses from your medical bills to the pain and suffering caused by this event. Contact us today to sit down for a free initial consultation with a Colorado personal injury lawyer and learn how we can help you after a bus accident.
