Worried about the medical fees and lost wages due to a bus accident? A Las Vegas bus accident lawyer can help. Contact our team at Winder Law Firm for a free consultation.
Injured in a Bus Accident?
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Las Vegas Bus Accident Attorney Services
In 2023, there were 404 public buses and 1,924 school buses in Clark County, Nevada. While up to 125,000 students are transported daily during the school year and 49.5 million regular passengers commute on public buses, there are also accidents the city must deal with. Clark County School District (CCSD) has over 40 school bus crashes a month.
Bus accidents can be difficult because they often involve more than two parties, for example: the motorist, the bus driver, and the bus company. If you experience a bus accident, whether, from a school bus, a tourist bus, a shuttle bus, or a Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) bus, an experienced bus accident attorney in Las Vegas can help you with your personal injury claim process and help seek the financial compensation you may be entitled to.
Why Choose Us for Las Vegas Bus Accident Attorney Services?
When you choose Winder Law Firm, our legal team will make your justice our mission. Whether your accident was due to faulty bus equipment, driver negligence, bus company negligence, or something else, our Las Vegas bus accident attorney will work hard to seek justice for you. No two bus accident cases are the same. That’s why we offer compassionate and personalized service.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Las Vegas
The Nevada Department of Transportation puts together bus accident data to decide the most common causes of bus accidents. Here are some:
Driver Negligence
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving can be due to talking or texting on a mobile phone, talking with someone else, eating while driving, and more reasons.
- Speeding: Going over the speed limit is another reason for bus accidents. Because of the size and weight of a bus, an accident with a bus can cause fatal injuries.
- Failure to yield: Failing to yield or failing to stay in the proper lane is another reason for bus accidents.
Environmental Factors
- Poor weather conditions: Rainy weather can make the road slippery while early morning fog can reduce visibility. In March 2020, for example, there were three accidents with school buses due to morning rain.
- Dangerous road conditions: Potholes and other road hazards can be dangerous. A missing stop sign can confuse motorists and bus drivers.
Mechanical Failures
- Faulty equipment: Faulty equipment, such as bad steering wheels and brakes, can lead to bus drivers losing control of their buses.
- Lack of maintenance: Buses, like cars, need regular inspections. Lack of maintenance can lead to problems like worn-out brake pads.
Understanding Your Legal Rights in a Bus Accident
Nevada Bus Stop Accident Laws
Nevada does not have specific bus stop accident laws. Instead, all vehicles, including buses, must follow the Nevada Revised Statute chapter 484E.
As per Chapter 484E, motorists and bus drivers must do the following:
- Stop at the scene of an accident that involves a death or personal injury
- Exchange information
- Move their vehicles to safety and out of the way of traffic if possible
- Call a police officer
Public Transportation Injury Attorney
Like other states in the U.S., Nevada follows a Common Carrier Law. This law says common carriers of people or goods must follow safety regulations. As Las Vegas is a tourist destination, bus companies and drivers must take even more precautions, such as ensuring their passengers are not in harm’s way.
Duty of care for bus companies and bus drivers are:
- Bus drivers must have proper qualifications
- Buses must be maintained properly
- Bus exits and entrances must be safe for passengers
- Bus drivers cannot be distracted while driving
Passengers also have rights if they are in a bus accident. Injured passengers might be able to sue the bus company or the bus driver. They can also argue the driver lacked “due care.” For more on what rights a passenger has, contact a public transportation injury attorney.
Steps to Take After a Bus Accident in Las Vegas
It’s natural to be in a state of shock after experiencing a bus accident in Las Vegas. However, here are some important steps to remember.
Immediate Actions
If anyone is injured in the accident, call for medical help. After helping the injured, call the police to report the accident.
Gathering Evidence
Although you may not be in the right state of mind to gather evidence, it can help your case if you need to file a personal injury lawsuit later. Take photos of everything: your vehicle, the bus, the accident scene, road conditions, and any nearby signs that could have caused the accident.
Also, if there are witnesses, get statements. Witness statements and footage could help your case if it goes to court.
Contacting a Las Vegas Bus Accident Lawyer
Try to contact a Las Vegas bus accident attorney as soon as possible. Lawyers can be very helpful with insurance claims and financial compensation for bus accidents. And if your case is contested and you must go to court, a bus accident lawyer in Las Vegas can help.
Injured in a Bus Accident?
How a Bus Crash Lawyer Can Help You
At Winder Law Firm, we are here to help you in any way we can.
Investigating the Accident
One way a Las Vegas bus accident attorney can help is by investigating the accident. We do this by collecting evidence, such as photos, eyewitness statements, videos, and police reports. We then use this evidence to help determine who was at fault.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Some insurance companies try to avoid covering your medical expenses or they may not want to give you the amount you deserve. A bus accident attorney in Las Vegas will work hard to get you a fair settlement. We’ll also handle all communications with your insurance company so that your claim is handled properly.
Representing You in Court
Unfortunately, RTC bus accidents, school bus accidents, and tour bus accidents can be complicated, and you may have to go to court to argue your case. Qualified Las Vegas bus accident lawyers can help prepare your case. You will also have professional courtroom representation by an attorney who knows Nevada’s accident laws.
Types of Compensation Available for Bus Accident Victims
Here are some types of compensation Las Vegas bus accident lawyers might be able to help you with.
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses compensation is important, especially if you are in and out of the hospital due to your bus accident injury. Remember, some injuries show up later, even weeks after an accident.
Lost Wages
Your injuries may keep you from work. A Las Vegas bus accident lawyer can determine how much in lost wages you should get.
Pain and Suffering
Bus accidents can be especially traumatic. If this has caused you undue pain and suffering, an experienced bus accident attorney can fight for you to be compensated.
Property Damage
If your vehicle or other property was damaged in the bus accident, our team at Winder Law Firm can help seek compensation for any property damage.
Punitive Damages
If the bus company was negligent, we can seek punitive damages to punish them. Our goal is to ensure this same kind of negligence does not happen again.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bus Accident Claims
How should I file a claim?
To file a claim, you must do so with your insurance company. Try to file one as soon as possible as there is a statute of limitations. In Las Vegas, this means you can file a claim within two years from the date of the accident. When filing a claim, submit all your evidence, such as photos and videos. You will also need to file a police report and include a copy of the police report in your claim.
How much is my claim worth?
The amount of your claim will depend on different factors, such as the amount of property damage, the extent of your injuries, the amount of lost wages, and the degree of liability. A bus company can face liability for bus accidents if a bus accident lawyer can prove their drivers were not trained properly or there was little to no maintenance on their buses.
What if the bus driver doesn’t have insurance?
If the bus driver doesn’t have insurance and you have uninsured motorist coverage, file a claim with your insurer or file a claim with the bus company’s insurance company. You can also sue the bus driver if the driver’s negligence caused the accident.
Can I still claim if I was partially at fault?
Yes, if you were partially at fault, your insurance company will use Nevada’s NRS 41.141 modified comparative negligence law to determine how much you will be owed or how much you will need to pay. If you were partially at fault, for example, in some circumstances you might not be entitled to compensation or the amount you owe can be reduced.
Contact a Nevada Bus Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been in a bus-related accident in Las Vegas, get a free consultation from Winder Law Firm. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning if you don’t win, there’s no fee for our services.
Fill out the form on our website or contact Aaron Winder at aaron@thewinderlawfirm.com.
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