Arizona Bus Accident Attorneys

After a bus accident in Phoenix, taking a few practical steps can help protect your health and preserve information that may be important if you later pursue a claim.

1. Get to Safety and Call 911
If you can do so safely, move away from traffic or other hazards. Call 911 if anyone is injured or emergency assistance is needed. Law enforcement and emergency responders can address immediate safety concerns and document information about the crash.

2. Seek Medical Attention
Get appropriate medical care, especially if you are experiencing pain, dizziness, confusion, numbness, or other symptoms. Some accident-related injuries may not be immediately apparent. Keep copies of medical records, bills, treatment instructions, and other documentation related to your injuries.

3. Document the Bus and Accident Scene
If you are physically able and it is safe, take photos or video of the bus, other vehicles, visible damage, your surroundings, and relevant road or traffic conditions. Record the bus number, route, transit or bus company, accident location, and approximate time of the crash.

4. Get Witness and Driver Information
Collect contact information from witnesses and, when available, information identifying the bus driver and other motorists involved. Avoid discussing fault or making assumptions about who caused the accident at the scene.

5. Save Records Related to the Accident
Keep photographs, medical documents, receipts, correspondence, transportation records, and other materials connected to the crash. Depending on the circumstances, additional evidence may include surveillance footage, onboard video, vehicle records, or electronic data that could become important during an investigation.

6. Determine Who Operated the Bus
Identifying the bus operator can be especially important. Claims involving a public transit provider may be subject to different procedures and deadlines than claims involving a private charter company, tour operator, school bus, or other commercial carrier. Claims against Arizona public entities can also involve special notice requirements.

7. Consider Speaking With a Phoenix Bus Accident Attorney
Bus accident claims can involve multiple potentially responsible parties and different insurance or government-claim requirements. An attorney can investigate the collision, work to preserve available evidence, identify potentially responsible parties, and explain the deadlines and legal options that may apply to your circumstances.

Federal crash data provides context for the risks associated with buses and other large commercial vehicles on U.S. roads. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts, 213 buses were involved in fatal crashes nationwide in 2022, compared with 205 in 2021.

The type of bus involved also varies. In 2022, 87 school buses, 74 transit buses, and 14 intercity buses were involved in fatal crashes nationwide. Looking at a broader period from 2010 through 2022, school buses accounted for an average of 38% of buses involved in fatal crashes, transit buses accounted for 36%, and intercity buses accounted for 10%.

These national statistics do not indicate how many bus crashes occur specifically in Phoenix or establish the cause of any individual accident. However, they illustrate that serious crashes can involve different types of passenger transportation. For someone injured in a Phoenix bus accident, identifying whether the vehicle was a public transit bus, school bus, intercity bus, charter bus, or another type of carrier can be important because the operator, applicable regulations, insurance coverage, and deadlines may differ.

Determining liability in a bus accident claim can be complex. Liability may involve the bus driver, bus company, other drivers, or even government entities in the case of public transportation. 

An attorney will investigate the circumstances, review evidence, and consult experts if necessary to establish liability and build a strong case.

Insurance companies may offer settlements quickly, often less than your entitled amount. It’s crucial to consult with a bus accident attorney before accepting any settlement offer. 

A lawyer will evaluate the offer’s fairness and confirm that it encompasses your existing and future medical bills, lost income, and the emotional distress you’ve endured.

In Arizona, you generally have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, if the accident involves a public transit agency or other government entity, you must file a Notice of Claim within 180 days of the incident. Consulting with an attorney promptly ensures compliance with all deadlines.

Yes, you can file a claim against a government entity if their negligence caused the accident. However, claims against government entities have stricter deadlines and procedural requirements under Arizona’s sovereign immunity laws. You must file a Notice of Claim within 180 days, or you risk losing your right to seek compensation.

Victims of bus accidents may be entitled to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses: Including current and future treatments, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
• Lost wages: For time missed from work due to the accident and reduced earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering: For physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
• Property damage: If personal belongings were damaged during the crash.

Wrongful death damages: If a loved one was fatally injured in the accident, compensation may include funeral costs, loss of companionship, and financial support.

Bus accidents often involve more severe injuries and complex liability issues due to:

• The size and weight of buses lead to higher impact forces.
• The number of potential victims, including passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists.
• The involvement of government entities in public transit cases adds additional legal complexities and filing deadlines.

Essential evidence includes:

• Police and accident reports.
• Photos and videos of the accident scene.
• Witness statements.
• Medical records documenting your injuries.
• Maintenance logs for the bus (to check for mechanical issues).
• Surveillance footage, if available.

A bus driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs constitutes gross negligence. You may be entitled to punitive damages in addition to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. An attorney can help investigate the case and hold all liable parties accountable.

Bus accidents in Phoenix can result from driver error, vehicle problems, roadway conditions, the actions of other motorists, or a combination of factors. Determining what caused a particular crash often requires looking beyond the collision itself and examining the bus, driver, operator, and surrounding circumstances.

Potential causes and contributing factors include:

• Driver distraction or inattention: A bus driver may be distracted by a phone, onboard equipment, passengers, traffic, or other activity inside or outside the vehicle.
• Driver fatigue: Fatigue can affect alertness, reaction time, and decision-making, particularly for drivers operating longer routes or working extended schedules.
• Speeding or unsafe driving: Traveling too fast for traffic or roadway conditions, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, and failure to yield can contribute to a collision.
• Inadequate training or supervision: Commercial and passenger-carrying vehicles require specialized knowledge and skills. Depending on the circumstances, a driver’s qualifications, training, or supervision may become relevant to an investigation.
• Bus maintenance or mechanical problems: Worn tires, brake problems, steering issues, or other mechanical failures may contribute to a crash. Maintenance and inspection records can be important when determining whether a vehicle problem existed before the collision.
• Other motorists: A bus driver may not be the person who caused the accident. Speeding, distracted driving, unsafe merging, impaired driving, or other negligent behavior by another motorist can result in a collision involving a bus.
• Phoenix and Arizona driving conditions: Heavy traffic, roadway construction, intense summer heat, dust, and sudden rain or reduced visibility during Arizona’s monsoon season can create additional challenges for bus drivers and other motorists.
• Pedestrian and bicyclist conflicts: Buses frequently operate in areas where pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles share limited roadway space. Turning movements, intersections, bus stops, and visibility limitations can contribute to serious pedestrian or bicycle collisions.

The cause of a Phoenix bus accident can also affect who may be legally responsible. Depending on the evidence, potentially responsible parties could include a bus driver, private bus company, public transit operator, another motorist, maintenance provider, or another party. Identifying the bus operator is particularly important because accidents involving public transportation may be subject to different Arizona claim procedures and deadlines.

A bus accident can injure passengers as well as pedestrians, bicyclists, and occupants of other vehicles. Depending on the force and circumstances of the collision, injuries can range from relatively minor soft tissue injuries to conditions requiring emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, or ongoing treatment.

Common injuries associated with bus accidents include:

• Head and brain injuries: A passenger may strike a seat, window, pole, or other surface during a collision or sudden movement. Head injuries can include concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
• Neck, back, and spinal injuries: The forces generated during a crash can contribute to strains, disc injuries, fractures, and, in serious cases, spinal cord injuries.
• Broken bones: Fractures can affect the arms, legs, ribs, hips, and other areas of the body, particularly when a person is thrown from a seat, struck by an object, or involved in a high-impact collision.
• Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, strains, and other injuries involving muscles, tendons, and ligaments can occur when the body is subjected to sudden or forceful movement.
• Internal injuries: Blunt-force trauma may injure internal organs or cause internal bleeding. These injuries may require prompt medical evaluation and treatment.
• Cuts, bruises, and scarring: Broken glass, vehicle components, contact with the roadway, and other objects can cause lacerations, abrasions, bruising, or permanent scarring.
• Burn injuries: Some crashes involve fires or other conditions that can result in thermal injuries.
• Psychological injuries: A serious bus accident may also have emotional or psychological effects. Depending on the individual, these may include anxiety, emotional distress, or symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The nature and severity of an injury can also affect a Phoenix bus accident claim. Medical records, diagnostic testing, treatment recommendations, and documentation of how an injury affects a person’s work and daily activities may become important when evaluating accident-related losses. Because some symptoms may not be immediately apparent after a collision, anyone with concerns about an injury should seek appropriate medical evaluation.