Bus Accidents

If you’ve been the victim of a bus accident, you know how traumatizing these accidents can be. Bus accidents and rollovers can often result in serious injuries, lost wages, exorbitant medical bills and even loss of life.

That’s why you need a personal injury attorney skilled in handling bus accident claims on your side. The bus accident lawyers at the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers in Boston are uniquely equipped to handle every type of bus accident and rollover claim. Our attorneys have the skills, experience, and resources to take on big bus companies and their insurers to recover maximum compensation for clients.

We provide free consultations and take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not get paid unless we recover money for you.

Our law firm understands the toll that a serious and traumatic bus accident can take on you and your family. We can meet with you in the hospital, your home or any other location to make things easier and more convenient.

Bus accident and rollover claims often present unique legal challenges, which is why attorney representation is key to a successful resolution. These claims become even more complicated if there are multiple accident victims, severe or catastrophic injuries, or multiple vehicles involved in the crash. Accidents involving school buses or those operated by local government agencies such as Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), present their own legal challenges and are best handled by experienced counsel.

Our law firm strongly believes that accident victims shouldn’t foot the bill for injuries caused by other parties. We will fight for justice on your behalf and provide you with the peace of mind you need at this stressful time.

If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, you should try to document the accident scene to the best of your ability. Collect contact information from the driver, passengers and anyone who witnessed the accident. When law enforcement arrives, ask the officer for his or her business card or contact information. If possible, take pictures of the accident scene using your cellphone.

Make sure that you seek immediate medical attention. Don’t deny treatment at the scene of the accident, even if you think your injuries aren’t serious. Medical documentation is key to any claim for compensation. If you refuse medical attention, the bus company or its insurance carrier could argue that your injuries aren’t as serious as you say.

Do not give the bus company or its insurer any information or agree to a settlement until you meet with a bus accident lawyer. An attorney will be able to tell you how much your case is worth and review all options that you have under the law. If you settle too soon, you might not know the full extent of your injuries and damages. A premature settlement may prevent you from recouping for all of your injuries.

Our attorneys have the tools to handle all bus accident claims, including accidents involving:

• Cars, trucks and other motor vehicles
• Motorcycles
• Bicycles
• Pedestrians
• Passengers
• Property owners

We have experience handling bus accident claims involving:

• Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) buses
• Long-distance bus services such as Greyhound, Peter Pan and Megabus
• Charter buses
• Tour buses
• Shuttle buses
• School buses
• Freight buses

The MBTA bus system is the country’s sixth largest by ridership and encompasses more than 150 routes across the greater Boston area. With ridership numbers like that, accidents are bound to happen. The bus accident lawyers at the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers have successfully handled numerous claims involving MBTA buses.

Our lawyers will help you obtain full compensation for your bus accident injuries. We will help you recover damages for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Physical therapy
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish

Oftentimes, bus accidents and rollovers are caused by bus driver negligence or bus company negligence.

Some common causes of bus crashes and rollovers include:

• Driver fatigue
• Driver inattention or error
• Driver drug or alcohol use
• Aggressive driving
• Speeding
• Poor bus maintenance
• Old and outdated vehicles
• Negligent hiring
• Lack of safety training and policies

Buses that are privately owned and operated are considered “common carriers” under the law. Other types of common carriers include railways, trucking companies and airlines. Buses are common carriers that are subject to a heightened standard of liability. This means that if you’re injured because of a bus driver’s negligence or the bus company’s negligence, the bus company can be held liable for your injuries.

Bus companies have a duty to ensure that their drivers receive adequate and proper training and have passed background checks. Bus companies also have an obligation to make sure that their drivers have enough rest between shifts. Overtired bus drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents.

Bus companies should have safety policies in place with regard to the scheduling of drivers. Bus drivers should be prohibited from engaging in distracted driving, including texting or talking on cellphones, while behind the wheel.

Buses should be properly maintained and inspected to prevent accidents caused by tire blowouts, worn brakes, or other maintenance issues. Steps and handrails should allow for safe boarding and disembarking. If the bus itself is dangerous and defective and caused or contributed to an accident, our law office may be able to pursue a product liability claim against the bus manufacturer.

Our attorneys are equipped to investigate any bus crash and rollover accident to identify all potentially liable parties.

Bus accidents and rollovers can leave victims with serious, permanent and life-threatening injuries that can impact an individual for a lifetime. The size and weight of even a small bus can be devastating and even deadly to other motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Many buses don’t have seatbelts or other safety features like cars, which means that bus passengers are susceptible to serious injury and even death, especially during an accident that ends in a rollover.

Here’s a list of some common types of injuries suffered by bus accident victims:

• Broken bones
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
• Internal injuries
• Lacerations
• Burns
• Spinal cord injuries
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Wrongful death

The unique attributes of buses contribute to the serious injuries often suffered by bus accident victims. Here are some examples:

• Buses have longer stopping and starting distances than smaller vehicles like cars and pick-up trucks. This means that they are more likely to be involved in certain types of collisions, especially when roadways are slick.
• Because of their build, buses are more likely than smaller vehicles to roll over during an accident. During a rollover, bus passengers can be thrown around inside the vehicle and injured.
• Buses are full of unsecured objects like suitcases or backpacks that can strike passengers during an accident.
• Bus accidents usually involve more people than car accidents. While mini buses typically seat 18 to 25 passengers, a large charter bus can seat as many as 60 passengers.
• Entering and exiting buses and waiting for a bus to arrive pose their own dangers. Accidents can occur when children waiting at bus stops stand too close to curbs or run into the street without looking. A passenger can get caught in a closing bus door.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, school buses are the safest vehicles on the road. In fact, the NHTSA says children are about 70 times more likely to get to school safely when taking a school bus instead of traveling via car. Approximately four to six school-age children die each year on school transportation vehicles. These deaths account for less than 1% of all traffic fatalities across the nation, the agency says.

The NHTSA explains that school buses are the most regulated vehicles on the road and are designed to be safer than cars in preventing crashes and injuries. For example, they are designed to be highly visible and include safety features such as flashing red lights, cross-view mirrors, protective seating, and rollover protection. In addition, school bus riders are protected by laws that make it illegal for drivers to pass a school bus while it’s dropping off or picking up passengers.

Cases against school districts and government entities that own and operate public buses such as Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) buses involve special legal issues. It’s strongly advised that you retain a bus accident attorney to litigate these cases. These cases have tight deadlines, and a lawyer can make sure you meet the deadlines and don’t miss out on your opportunity for recovery.

To learn more about how our bus accident attorneys can help you with your bus accident claim, contact Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers today at (617) 777-7777 or use our online form.