According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 13,061 bus crashes occurred in 2024, resulting in injuries to 5,707 people and the deaths of 296 others. As you can see from these bus accident statistics, the results are often catastrophic when these large vehicles are involved in a collision. Because many people may be injured in these traffic accidents, it’s essential that you have a legal advocate in your corner who will fight for you to recover compensation.
The Huntsville bus accident lawyers at Siniard Law, LLC are ready to stand up to protect your rights so you can focus on your recovery. You can learn more about your legal rights and options when you call our distinguished personal injury law firm for a free initial consultation.
How a Huntsville Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help with Your Personal Injury Claim
If you were injured in a bus crash, you may be suffering from serious injuries that result in exorbitant medical expenses, lead to significant time away from work, and cause ongoing pain and suffering. You may have the right to pursue compensation for these losses, but the bus company, driver, and insurance company are unlikely to admit fault. Recovering the financial compensation you deserve will likely require the assistance of a personal injury lawyer experienced with handling bus accident claims.
When you hire a bus accident lawyer from our firm, we can help by:
- Reviewing your legal rights during a free, no-obligation consultation
- Investigating the accident to identify all parties and factors that contributed to your accident
- Gathering and analyzing evidence of fault
- Filing an insurance claim to seek fair compensation
- Communicating with insurance companies and other parties on your behalf
- Fighting for compensation in or out of the courtroom
Contact our personal injury lawyers to learn more about how we can help.
Why Choose Siniard Law, LLC for Legal Representation
The lawyer you choose can significantly impact the result of your case. Bus crash cases often involve complex legal concepts, including qualified immunity, shared liability, and indemnification. You need a lawyer who understands these complexities and how to deliver results.
Best Law Firms has recognized Siniard Law, LLC as a Tier 1 Personal Injury Law Firm for the North Alabama region. Our award-winning injury lawyers have recovered over $200 million. Because we work on a contingency fee basis, you gain immediate access to our exceptional legal services – but you don’t have to pay for our fees upfront. Instead, we take on your case and don’t get paid unless and until we recover compensation for you. Call us today to begin your path to recovery.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Bus accidents can happen for various reasons. Some of these can be the same reasons that other types of motor vehicle collisions occur, while some are unique to bus operations. Leading causes of bus accidents include the following:
- Speeding – Bus drivers may be in a rush to meet strict bus route schedules, leading them to speed and take other unsafe actions that jeopardize the safety of others.
- Driver distractions – Distracted driving is a leading cause of all types of auto accidents. Bus drivers can be distracted by cell phones, dispatch radios, passengers, and other sources. When drivers are distracted, they may not notice hazards as quickly, and can cause accidents.
- Unqualified drivers – Commercial drivers – including bus drivers – are required to meet special licensing and training requirements. In a rush to fill these highly demanding jobs, employers may fail to check driver backgrounds and hire unqualified drivers.
- Unsafe handling – Buses have a much wider turning radius than other vehicles, large blind spots that make it difficult to spot nearby vehicles, and higher centers of gravity that make them more challenging to maneuver than other vehicles, which can contribute to accidents.
- Fatigued driving – Bus drivers often work long shifts, which can increase the likelihood of fatigued driving. Drowsy driving corresponds with many of the same effects as impaired driving, including delayed response times, impaired judgment, and dulled senses.
- Driver error – Bus drivers can make critical errors, including making unsafe lane changes, failing to yield the right-of-way, or making unsafe stops that jeopardize the safety of passengers and other motorists.
- Mechanical issues – Bus components, including hydraulic systems, brakes, tires, and other parts, that have mechanical problems can contribute to accidents.
- Defective parts – Defective bus parts can lead to critical failures.
An experienced bus crash lawyer can investigate your crash to determine the factors that contributed to it.
What Types of Buses Are Involved in Accidents?
Bus accidents can involve various types of buses, including:
- Huntsville Orbit buses and other public transit vehicles
- Huntsville City and Madison County School District buses
- University of Alabama at Huntsville Campus route buses
- Greyhound buses
- Charter buses
- Privately owned buses
- Party buses
Our private and public bus accident lawyers know how to file legal claims against corporate or government entities.
Who Is Legally Responsible for Bus Accidents?
Our bus crash lawyers know how to accurately identify the liable party or parties and the legal principles to hold them responsible. Some of the parties who may be responsible for these collisions include:
Bus Companies
Bus companies are generally responsible for the negligent actions of their employees, thanks to a legal doctrine called respondeat superior. Under this doctrine, an employer can be financially responsible for the damages their employee causes while performing their job duties.
Government Entities
If the bus accident involved a public transit bus or a school bus, the municipal government, county government, or a government agency may be responsible for the damages. Legal claims against government entities often involve special notice requirements and deadlines, so it’s crucial you work with a bus accident lawyer experienced in handling these types of cases.
Private Companies
Various companies may lease out or operate passenger services, such as:
- Hotels
- Airports
- Charter companies
- Concierge services
- Private schools
Manufacturers
Bus or part manufacturers can be held responsible in cases involving defective products.
Mechanics
The mechanic or company responsible for completing repairs and performing inspections can be held liable in some bus accident cases.
How Do I Prove Fault in a Bus Accident Claim?
Bus operations are typically considered common carriers under Alabama law. Under this law, common carriers have a heightened duty to provide safe transport to passengers. If they fail to do this, they can be held liable for the damages they cause.
You may be able to prove that a bus company or other party was at fault for a collision with evidence such as:
- Accident resorts
- Event data recorders
- Videos from traffic cameras, onboard cameras, or surveillance cameras
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Maintenance records and personnel records
In some cases, a bus crash lawyer may hire an accident reconstruction expert who can use objective data to create visual demonstrations of how the accident likely occurred.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover in a Personal Injury Claim Involving a Bus Accident?
Bus accident victims may be able to recover compensation for their economic and non-economic damages by filing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit against the party or parties responsible for their injuries. Economic damages provide compensation for financial losses, such as:
- Medical treatment, including hospital stays, emergency department services, ambulance charges, diagnostic tests, and follow-up treatment
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Future medical expenses
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages provide payment for intangible losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Lost enjoyment of life
If you were injured in a bus accident, an experienced lawyer can identify the damages you may be able to recover.
What Types of Injuries Can Bus Accidents Cause?
Bus accidents can result in serious injuries for many reasons. The momentum of a crash can cause passengers to collide with each other and the interior of the bus, especially when the bus does not have seatbelts. Motorists in other vehicles could be crushed by a bus or otherwise suffer severe injuries due to the massive difference in the size and weight of these vehicles. Some of the most common injuries bus accident victims suffer include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe burns
- Amputations
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries
- Internal organ damage
What Should I Do If My Child Was Injured in a Bus Accident?
While school buses are one of the safer methods of transportation, children may still be injured or killed in bus accidents. If your child was injured in a bus accident, you can act on your child’s behalf in pursuing a personal injury claim. An experienced lawyer can review the circumstances surrounding the accident and explain your legal rights to you.
What Is My Bus Accident Case Worth?
The value of your bus accident claim can depend on various factors, including:
- The nature and severity of your injuries
- The value of your economic damages
- The type and duration of your medical treatment
- Whether the accident caused permanent disabilities or impairments
- The impact the injuries have had on your work
- The extent of your pain and suffering
- The party or parties responsible for your injuries
- Insurance coverage available for your claim
Contact our experienced bus accident attorneys for a personalized review of your case.
What Should I Do After a Bus Accident?
The actions you take after a bus accident can impact your ability to recover fair compensation. If possible, take the following actions following a bus crash:
- Report the accident to law enforcement. Ask for a copy of the police report once it is finalized.
- Seek medical attention immediately. Follow your doctor’s orders, and keep all your medical records.
- Get the driver’s information, including employer and insurance information.
- Ask witnesses for their names and contact information.
- Take pictures or videos of the accident scene and your injuries.
- Call a personal injury attorney for legal assistance.
What Are My Legal Options If I Lost a Loved One in a Bus Accident
Some bus accidents result in the tragic loss of a loved one. In these situations, Alabama law allows certain surviving family members to file a wrongful death claim. In Alabama, these legal claims can only recover punitive damages rather than economic losses such as funeral and burial costs. An experienced wrongful death lawyer can review your claim to determine if you qualify to file a wrongful death claim.
What Is the Deadline to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Alabama Following a Bus Crash?
Alabama’s statute of limitations requires accident victims to file a lawsuit within two years in most situations. However, this deadline may differ depending on the circumstances. For example, the timeline can be extended if the injured person is a child and the child files the lawsuit after becoming an adult. If the case is against the government, the deadline can be much shorter.
You can protect your legal rights by working with an experienced attorney who can take timely legal action on your behalf.
Contact Our Huntsville Bus Accident Lawyers to Discuss Your Case
If you were injured in a bus accident in Huntsville, Alabama, you may have legal options for recovering compensation for your losses. The legal team at Siniard Law, LLC wants to help you hold the negligent bus driver and their employer responsible for these losses. You shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s mistakes.
We can conduct a thorough investigation to identify all the factors that contributed to your injuries and legal arguments that are tailored to your case. We can discuss your legal rights during a free case review. Contact us today to get started with your consultation.