Bus Accident Attorneys in Las Vegas

Bus Accident Attorney in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a heavily populated tourist city, and is crowded with several different types of buses, including tour buses and school buses for residents that live there. Unfortunately, bus accidents are common in congested cities like Las Vegas.

Bus accidents remain a very serious problem for the city of Las Vegas. Bus accidents usually result in very severe and catastrophic injuries because of their size and their weight. 

According to the Nevada Department of Transportation, there are around 500 bus accidents in the state every year. With every passing year, these numbers constantly go up. From 500 bus accidents, there are around 200 injuries that result, and around 5 fatalities. Bus accidents are a serious problem for Las Vegas, Nevada.

There are several different uses for buses in Las Vegas, including:

Public transportation: many residents of Las Vegas use buses to get to and from work. Tourist also use buses to go from one hotel to another in the event that rideshare services, such as Uber or Lyft are unavailable or expensive.

Shuttles: many hotels in Las Vegas now have private bus shuttles that take passengers from one hotel to another.

Group buses: there are several different types of bus activities, such as bar hopping in Las Vegas.

What are the different types of vehicles involved in bus accidents in Las Vegas?

• Tour buses
• Limousines
• Shuttles
• Vans
• School buses
• City buses
• Company bus

Regardless of the mode of transportation, if the driver of the bus was negligent and caused the accident, you may have a claim for your injuries.

When should I file my bus accident claim in Las Vegas?

If you have been involved in a Metro or bus accident in Las Vegas, you need to act quickly. The longer you wait, the more likely you will lose your right to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. To preserve your ability to file a lawsuit, you must file your lawsuit within a specific time frame. If you file your lawsuit after this time frame, you will decrease your chances of recovering any compensation at all. Under the Nevada statute of limitations, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim against the at fault party. However, there are several different types of extensions, such as a time limit extension granted to minors who have been injured while under the age of 18 years old.

Bus drivers must have a commercial driver’s license to operate the bus, and must have training that complies with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Bus companies must also have liability insurance coverage that is at least 5 million dollars in the event of an accident. This should cover both property damage and bodily injury.

Bus Accident Laws In Nevada

Under Nevada laws, parties that are at fault in a bus accident are liable for compensation to the injured victim.  If the victim was negligent themselves, Nevada has comparative negligence laws. This means that if the victim was negligent more than 50% compared to the other party, then the victim will not be able to recover any compensation. This is stated under the Nevada Revised Statute 41.141. To determine any possible defenses that the fall party may raise against you and your negligence, contact our attorney today.

How do you prove a bus accident claim in Las Vegas?

Usually, bus accidents fall under negligence laws of Nevada. This is proven by showing that:

• The defendants had a duty to the plaintiff
• The defendant breach that duty when they failed to act in a reasonably safe manner
• The defendant’s breach of duty caused plaintiff to suffer injuries
• The plaintiff now has damages

Common Causes For Las Vegas Bus Accidents

Bus accidents happen because of a variety of reasons. The most common causes for bus accidents in Las Vegas include:

• Speeding
• Driver error
• Poor weather conditions 
• Negligent third-party drivers
• Third-party pedestrians 
• Negligent maintenance of the bus
• Slip and falls on the bus
• Negligent seating arrangements
• Defective bus component
• When the driver fails to follow speed signs
• When the bus is overly packed
• When the bus does not have a proper wheelchair section
• Poor road conditions

Why are bus accidents so dangerous?

Although accidents involving cars are more common, bus accidents are often more damaging. Several factors contribute to the severity of bus accidents.

• Size: Buses often weigh tons and their mass, combined with momentum can produce disastrous results explaining why injuries from bus accidents are often more severe.
• Design: Most passenger vehicles are equipped with restraints that act as a safeguard in the event of a collision. However, buses are designed to transport people while standing or seated in seats without safety belts. The lack of restraint leaves bus passengers more vulnerable to severe injuries when an accident occurs.
• Shape: Buses are designed to offer roomier space for passengers, making them top-heavy. The downside of this is that it makes them more likely to roll over if involved in an accident.

Who could be held responsible in my Las Vegas bus accident lawsuit?

Similar to other traffic accidents, bus accidents can result from a moment of recklessness or negligence. To get the compensation you deserve for your injuries according to the law, you need to know who to hold accountable for the accident. Depending on the particulars of your accident, different parties may be responsible. In Las Vegas bus accidents, there are four parties commonly held accountable. They are;

• Bus drivers – They’re often held accountable for causing an accident if they knowingly commit a traffic violation, driving under the influence of drugs, or driving while distracted. A bus accident lawyer in Las Vegas will help build a case against the driver.
• Other motorists – If more than one vehicle was involved in the accident, the other motorists could be held wholly or partially responsible for your accident.
• Other pedestrians – The bus accident could be caused by a pedestrian who was in the middle of the road. This is especially common on Las Vegas Boulevard where several pedestrians tried to illegally cross the street from one side to another.
• Bus companies – In Las Vegas, bus companies are obligated to ensure their buses are properly maintained. They are also obligated to comply with different government regulations, such as hiring qualified drivers to operate the buses. As such, a bus company can be held liable if the accident results because of their negligence.
• The local government– In some situations, the city can be held liable for a bus accident if it occurred on a road that was either poorly maintained or designed. The local government is responsible for keeping roads safe, and if inadequate signage or a pothole led to the accident, the city might be found partially or fully at fault.

Common Las Vegas Bus Accident Injuries

During a bus accident, the combination of bus design, weight and lack of restraints means that the passengers can sustain serious injuries, including:

• Back sprains
• Whiplash
• Broken or dislocated bones
• Amputation
• Neck injuries
• Soft tissue injuries 
• Cuts 
• Scarring 
• Disfigurement 
• PTSD 
• Depression 
• Head injuries 
• Traumatic brain injury