RTD buses, school buses, tour buses, and others, operate year-round, in all weather conditions. Our roads are notoriously dangerous and accidents are frequent. As a bus passenger, they aren’t your fault.
Why Hire a Jefferson County Bus Accident Attorney?
When you ride on a bus, you put your trust in the bus company and the driver. If you’ve been injured in a bus accident in Jefferson County, then you’re likely entitled to compensation for your damages.
However, bus accident injury claims are slightly more complex than regular car accidents and often need to be filed fast. For example, even if the driver was at fault, you might be filing against the bus company instead. Different approaches are then required depending on the type of bus – such as a Government operated bus or a private bus.
Our Jefferson County bus accident attorneys can help analyze your accident, determine who is liable and prepare a case that won’t be manipulated by insurance companies and their armies of opposing lawyers.
Common Causes of Jefferson County Bus Accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that some of the most common causes of bus accidents include:
Distracted Driving
Just like car drivers, bus drivers are far too often found guilty of being distracted by cell phones, eating and drinking, or other factors. Bus drivers also have the additional risk of being distracted by passengers.
Speeding
Bus drivers have a tight schedule to meet and in some cases have been found speeding to make up for lost time.
Driving while Intoxicated
Shockingly we have seen cases of bus drivers operating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, despite the strict FMCSA guidelines.
Driver Error
Bus drivers are human and make mistakes. However, that doesn’t excuse them from liability if they fail to obey traffic signs or ignore other vehicles.
Defective Bus Equipment
Bus companies must perform regular safety checks to ensure their vehicles are mechanically safe. In some cases, bus companies have failed to maintain these standards, resulting in equipment failure that causes passenger injuries.
Hazardous Road Conditions
It’s not always the fault of the bus company or driver. Sometimes, the city’s roads can be to blame. Damaged asphalt, construction and narrow streets can all increase the risk of accidents.
Naturally, a bus accident may involve several of these causes. As an injured passenger, however, it might all seem trivial. Our Jefferson County bus accident attorneys can analyze your case, determine the causes and work to win you the compensation you deserve.
Liability for Jefferson County Bus Accidents
Bus Drivers Duty of Care
Bus drivers have a responsibility to drive with the utmost care to protect their passengers and other drivers on the road because they operate ‘common carriers’. That often means it’s easier to establish liability against a bus driver or bus company.
However, there may be multiple parties who could be liable, including:
- The bus driver
- The bus company or owner
- The bus manufacturer
- A government agency or municipality
- Other motorists
To prove negligence and liability, you will need a solid case with evidence revealing who was at fault, why and how it is connected to your injuries.
Our Jefferson County bus accident attorneys will work on your behalf to investigate and prepare a strong case that gives you the best chance at receiving the compensation you deserve.
Retain Evidence of Your Injuries
In all personal injury claims, we advise that you retain as much evidence of the accident and your injuries as possible.
You should also retain any documents, reports or medical bills from doctors and specialists that can prove the injuries did not exist before the accident.
RTD Bus Accidents in Jefferson County
‘Regional Transportation District’, or ‘RTD’, provides mass transit throughout Jefferson County. These buses, among others, are owned and operated by local governments. That makes the bus company a governmental entity and the driver a government employee.
Colorado law, C.R.S. 24-10-109, states that prompt notification to all governmental entities must be made for any potential claim against them.
Deadlines
An injured party must provide written notice that complies with the notice requirements in the statute within 182 days of the incident.
Strict compliance with the notice requirement is required by law and failure to comply could result in your claim being automatically denied.
Additionally, if the bus company is a governmental entity, you could be limited to $150,000 for your damages.
As you can see, RTD bus accident claims are complex. By contacting our Jefferson County bus accident attorneys, you can ensure your claim is filed before the deadlines and complies with the law.
School Bus Accidents in Jefferson County
Despite being 70x safer for school commutes than cars, school bus accidents also happen far too often. If you or your child has been injured in a school bus accident, contact our Jefferson County bus accident attorneys today.
You or your child deserve to be given compensation to recover. We approach all our cases with compassion and treat each individual as such.
What Damages Could I Win in a Bus Accident Injury Claim?
Our Jefferson County bus accident attorneys can fight to help you win compensation for the following damages:
Economic Damages
- Medical Expenses (past and future, since the date of the accident)
- Rehabilitation Costs
- Treatment Costs
- Lost Wages
- Loss of Future Earnings
- In-Home Care Expenses
- Childcare Costs
- Medical Equipment Costs
- Transportation Expenses
Non-Economic Damages
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life
- Loss of Consortium
- Pain and Suffering
- Depression
- PTSD
- Mental Anguish
- Scarring / Disfigurement
- Long-Term Disability
- Potential Punitive Damages
- Property Damage
- Wrongful Death
Common Types of Jefferson County Bus Accident Injuries:
Bus accidents tend to result in significant injuries due to the weight of the bus and the lack of seat belts. We have seen:
- Brain injuries or concussions.
- Broken or fractured bones
- Burns
- Head injuries
- Internal organ injuries
- Nerve damage or injury
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Spinal cord injuries
- Sprains
- Whiplash
Colorado Statute of Limitations for Bus Accidents
Colorado’s Statute of Limitations limits the time you have to file a personal injury claim – two years from the date of injury. Accidents involving motorized vehicles are provided an extra year (three in total). (§13-80-102 and §13-80-101).
However, as mentioned above, if you’ve been injured in a bus accident owned by a government entity (such as RTD), then you will need to send notice of your claim within 180 days.
What if a Loved One Died in a Bus Accident in Jefferson County?
If a loved one has died in a bus accident in Jefferson County, then you may be able to file a wrongful death claim.
These claims aim to compensate surviving families for damages, including funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional suffering.
You can contact our Jefferson County bus accident attorneys, who can aggressively fight for your family.
Bus Accident Statistics
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports:
- 234 buses were involved in annual fatal bus accidents.
- Over a decade, intercity buses accounted for 12% of fatal bus crashes.
- School buses accounted for 40% of fatal bus crashes.
- Transit buses account for 35% of all fatal bus crash
- 35,000 people were injured in annual bus accidents.
Contact a Bus Accident Attorney in Jefferson County, CO
Contact a Jefferson County Bus Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one have been injured in a bus accident in Jefferson County, contact our Jefferson County bus accident attorneys as soon as possible.
With a combination of a proven track record, impressive financial resources, esteemed legal reputation and a compassionate approach, we believe there is no better Denver personal injury lawyer team than us.
