At Portner & Shure, P.A., we have handled numerous cases involving devastating bus accidents. These accidents routinely result in serious injuries and leave passengers and other drivers questioning how they will move on as they face a difficult physical recovery and mounting medical bills.
Bus accidents can result in severe injuries because buses are large vehicles that may carry many passengers, and collisions or rollovers can expose occupants to significant forces. Depending on the type of bus, passengers may not have the same restraint systems found in standard passenger vehicles. When a crash occurs, passengers and others involved may suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, broken bones, and other serious harm.
For a free consultation, call Portner & Shure, P.A. today at (410) 995-1515.
Is English not your first language? Our support staff includes paralegals fluent in Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Korean, and Vietnamese.
Why Injured Clients Trust Portner & Shure With Their Bus Accident Cases
Bus accident claims are not simply larger car accident cases. They often demand a prompt investigation, detailed knowledge of commercial transportation standards, and careful attention to government claim requirements when a public entity operates or maintains the bus.
Portner & Shure, P.A. has a record of pursuing substantial recoveries for injured clients. In one bus-related pedestrian injury case, our firm recovered $1 million for the family of a woman who was exiting a bus when another driver jumped the curb and struck her. While every case is different and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome, this result reflects the detailed preparation and persistent advocacy we bring to serious injury claims.
Our legal team works to preserve and evaluate evidence such as:
- Bus surveillance footage and onboard event data
- Driver logs, schedules, training records, and personnel files
- Maintenance, inspection, and repair records
- Police reports, witness statements, and accident-scene evidence
- Cell phone records and toxicology evidence, when appropriate
- Federal and state safety records
- Vehicle defect, recall, and manufacturer information
A bus accident attorney from Portner & Shure, P.A. can evaluate the full effect of a collision, including medical treatment, lost earnings, future care needs, pain and suffering, and the impact an injury has on daily life.
Portner & Shure, P.A. has recovered more than $500 million for clients across Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and Kentucky. Contact us online or call (410) 995-1515 to discuss your bus accident claim in a free consultation.
Types of Bus Accidents We Handle
Buses serve communities, schools, airports, commuter routes, hotels, tour companies, and interstate travel corridors. While buses provide an important service, negligent operation, inadequate maintenance, and unsafe management practices can put passengers and others on the road at risk.
Public Transit and Metro Bus Accidents
Public transit crashes may involve municipal buses, regional transit authorities, shuttle services, or Metro-connected transportation. These cases can be complicated because the responsible party may be a government entity, a government contractor, or a private company. Government claims can have strict notice rules and shorter deadlines than ordinary injury lawsuits.
School Bus Accidents
Children, parents, school staff, drivers, and other road users can be injured in school bus accidents. Liability may depend on whether the bus was owned or operated by a public school system, a private school, a transportation contractor, or another organization. Claims may involve unsafe driving, inadequate supervision, improper loading or unloading procedures, or failure to properly maintain the bus.
Charter and Tour Bus Accidents
Charter buses and tour buses carry groups traveling for weddings, sporting events, school trips, sightseeing excursions, and other occasions. Driver fatigue, speeding, inadequate training, overloaded schedules, mechanical defects, and poor maintenance can all contribute to a serious crash.
Interstate and Commuter Bus Accidents
Interstate bus accidents may involve commercial operators traveling across state lines. These cases may require review of carrier safety records, driver-hour requirements, inspection records, and other evidence that can show whether the company followed applicable safety obligations.
If you were hurt as a passenger, in another vehicle, on a bicycle, or while walking, do not assume you have no options because the crash involved a large company or public agency. Speak with Portner & Shure, P.A., about your circumstances and the evidence that may support your claim.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Bus Accident
Determining liability depends on the cause of the collision and the relationships among the people and entities involved. More than one party may be legally responsible.
Bus Drivers and Bus Companies
A driver may be liable for actions such as distracted driving, speeding, impairment, fatigue, aggressive driving, failing to yield, or ignoring traffic signals. The bus company may also be liable for its own failures, including negligent hiring, inadequate driver training, poor supervision, unreasonable scheduling, or failure to inspect and maintain its vehicles.
Government Agencies and Transit Authorities
A city, county, state agency, school district, or transit authority may be involved when a public entity owns, operates, manages, or maintains the bus. Claims against government bodies often follow different procedures from claims against private companies. For example, Maryland claims against the State generally require written notice to the State Treasurer’s Office within one year of the injury.
Manufacturers and Maintenance Providers
A defective brake system, tire, steering component, door mechanism, seat, or other vehicle part can contribute to a crash or worsen an occupant’s injuries. Maintenance companies, mechanics, parts manufacturers, and other third parties may be accountable when negligent repairs or defective products play a role.
Investigating What Caused Your Bus Accident
Our injury attorneys will investigate all aspects of the bus accident that left you or a loved one injured. This includes looking into the driver's history for any previous negligence as well as examining any medical conditions or other circumstances that may have impaired his or her ability to safely drive a bus.
Other causes of bus crashes we will look out for include ignored safety recalls on defective parts, improper or lacking maintenance, bus driver alcohol or drug use, and lack of bus driver training.
If the bus company has a history of negligent hiring or other violations, we will pursue damages from them as well to fully compensate you for your losses. In past cases, we have found that bus companies with a history of safety violations simply register a new name and reincarnate themselves without making needed changes to promote safety.
What to Do After a Bus Accident
Your health comes first. Seek emergency medical attention or schedule prompt follow-up care, even if symptoms seem manageable immediately after the crash. Traumatic brain injuries, soft-tissue injuries, and internal injuries may not be fully apparent at the scene.
If you are able, take these steps:
- Call 911 and make sure an official report is created.
- Get medical care and follow your providers’ treatment recommendations.
- Photograph the scene, vehicle damage, visible injuries, the bus number, route information, and road conditions.
- Collect names and contact information for witnesses and other involved parties.
- Preserve documents, medical bills, receipts, work-loss information, and correspondence from insurers.
- Avoid making recorded statements or accepting a settlement before understanding the extent of your injuries.
- Contact an attorney promptly, particularly when a city, school system, public transit agency, or other government body may be involved.
Portner & Shure, P.A. can take over communications with insurers and opposing parties while you focus on recovery. Contact us today to discuss the next steps in a free, confidential case review.
Filing Deadlines and Claims Against Government Entities
Deadlines can vary based on where the accident occurred, who owned or operated the bus, and whether a government agency is involved. Missing a notice deadline may seriously affect a person’s ability to pursue compensation, so it is important to seek legal guidance promptly.
Bus Accident Claims in Maryland
Maryland bus accident claims may involve private carriers, local governments, school systems, or the State. A claim against the State of Maryland generally requires written notice within one year after the injury or property damage. Local government claims can also involve specific notice requirements. The applicable deadline and procedure depend on the agency and facts of the case.
Bus Accident Claims in Virginia
Virginia claims can involve a private operator, a local government, or the Commonwealth. For claims against a city, town, or county, written notice is generally required within six months of the injury. Claims against the Commonwealth generally require notice within one year. A Virginia bus accident lawyer can evaluate the correct notice process and litigation deadline based on the responsible entity.
Bus Accident Claims in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. claims may involve WMATA, District agencies, school transportation, contractors, or private companies. The required procedure can differ based on the operator and government status of the party involved. Early investigation is especially important because notice requirements may apply.
Bus Accident Claims in North Carolina
A North Carolina bus accident attorney can determine whether a claim involves a private bus company, school district, city transit system, or another public entity. Claims involving government-operated buses may require special notice and may be subject to immunity issues, statutory limits, or different filing procedures.
Bus Accident Claims in Kentucky
A Kentucky bus accident attorney can assess the responsible parties, available insurance coverage, and whether state or local government claim requirements apply. Whether the collision involved a school bus, public transit vehicle, charter bus, or private shuttle can affect how the case proceeds.
Damages Available in a Bus Accident Claim
A successful bus accident claim may provide compensation for the losses caused by another party’s negligence. Depending on the circumstances, damages may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Physical therapy, rehabilitation, and assistive care
- Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Permanent impairment, disfigurement, or disability
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages for eligible surviving family members
The value of a claim depends on the severity of the injuries, medical prognosis, available insurance, the conduct of the responsible parties, and other case-specific factors. Portner & Shure, P.A. prepares each case with the evidence needed to present the strongest possible demand for compensation.
Serving Bus Accident Victims Across Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and Kentucky
Portner & Shure, P.A. represents bus accident victims throughout Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and Kentucky. Whether a collision occurred on a busy urban route, near a school, on an interstate, or during a charter trip, our attorneys can evaluate your legal options.
We understand that an injury can affect every part of life. Our team is prepared to investigate the crash, document your losses, and pursue accountability from every responsible party.
Contact Our Bus Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you have suffered injuries in a bus accident, you need help from an experienced bus accidents lawyer. Contact us online today or call (410) 995-1515. Our attorneys handle these cases on a contingency basis, meaning we don't collect unless you do.
Bus Accident FAQs
What is the "common carrier" standard and how does it affect my case?
Many bus operators are considered common carriers because they transport passengers for compensation or public service. This status may create heightened safety obligations, but the specific legal standard and its effect on a claim depend on the jurisdiction, bus operator, and facts of the accident.
Can I still recover compensation if I was a passenger on the bus?
Yes. Passengers can often pursue compensation when a bus driver, bus company, another driver, a maintenance provider, or another party caused the crash. You may have a claim even if the bus struck another vehicle or another vehicle struck the bus.
Who is responsible when a school bus is involved in an accident?
Potentially responsible parties can include the driver, school district, private transportation contractor, bus company, maintenance provider, another motorist, or a manufacturer. The answer depends on who owned and operated the bus and what caused the collision.
What if the bus that hit me was operated by a city or transit authority?
You may still have a claim, but the process may be different from an ordinary injury case. Government entities may require formal written notice within a short period, so speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Do I have a claim if I was injured while boarding or exiting the bus?
Possibly. A claim may arise from a sudden stop, unsafe bus movement, a defective step or handrail, an improperly opened or closed door, inadequate assistance, unsafe stop placement, or another negligent condition. An attorney can review how the injury occurred and identify the responsible parties.
