Bus accident happening along the highway

Denver Bus Accident Lawyer

If you suffered injuries in a bus accident in Denver, the experienced attorneys at The Wilhite Law Firm are here to help you. A bus accident case can be a complex legal matter, particularly depending on who owned the bus. But you don’t have to handle it on your own. A skilled Denver bus accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process while you work on recovering.

What Are the Common Causes of Denver Bus Accidents?

Like any motor vehicle collision, human error is often at least part of the cause of bus accidents, such as:

Distracted driving
Violating traffic laws
Carelessness
Intoxication
Drowsy driving

Other factors, such as improper maintenance or bad weather, can also contribute to an accident. Your attorney will investigate the cause of the bus accident that injured you, including who is to blame.

What Are the Most Frequently Occurring Injuries in a Bus Accident?

Bus accidents often result in serious injuries due to the size of the vehicle and the fact that passengers do not wear seatbelts. Some common bus accident injuries include:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Spinal cord injuries or paralysis
Fractures
Internal bleeding
Amputations
Severe lacerations
Crush injuries
Whiplash

What Should I Do If I Am in a Bus Accident?

What you do in the days and weeks after a bus crash can have a major effect on whether you can secure compensation from those at fault. Once you’ve gotten medical care, you can take the following steps to protect yourself and your right to compensation:

Keep to your treatment plan – Because some bus injuries will not be immediately obvious, be sure to seek follow-up medical treatment with your provider within a few days of the accident. Early medical intervention may keep you from further injuring yourself or worsening your condition. It can also show that you are taking your health seriously.
Maintain a file – Create a file of all documents related to the accident, including medical records, bills, and any other accident-related costs. Write down what happened before your memory begins to fade. These detailed records may be critical to building your case.
Contact a bus accident lawyer – The sooner you get a lawyer on your side, the sooner you can begin pursuing compensation for the harm you have suffered. Most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations and work on contingency, so there’s no upfront cost to you for securing their services.

Who Could Be Held Liable for a Denver Bus Accident?

Who could be liable for the accident depends partly on who owns the bus. For example, privately owned bus companies may be responsible, or the local government could be liable if the bus was a city-owned vehicle. Other parties may be found liable for the accident, including:

The bus driver
Unruly or reckless passengers
Other drivers
The company that services or maintains the bus

What Evidence Can Be Used in My Claim?

Your attorney will determine the necessary evidence to build a strong claim. They may use witness statements, deposition testimony, photographs, records from the bus’s “black box,” and surveillance footage to establish the liability of the party at fault for the accident. To support your claim for damages, your attorney will use your medical records and bills, statements from your medical provider, or even expert testimony to establish the nature and extent of your injuries and losses.

Can I Still Sue for Damages If It Was a Regional Transport District Bus?

You can file a lawsuit to seek compensation after being injured by a Regional Transport District (RTD) bus. However, you must first file a Notice of Claim within 182 days of the date of the accident. The Notice of Claim will require specific information, and it is best to retain counsel to help you complete the form. For example, it requires a concise statement of the factual basis for your claim and the nature and extent of your alleged losses. An experienced bus accident attorney will file the Notice of Claim on time for you along with your personal injury lawsuit to meet all requirements as you pursue maximum compensation.

What Type of Compensation Can I Receive from a Denver Bus Accident Lawsuit?

An experienced Denver bus accident attorney from The Wilhite Law Firm can thoroughly analyze your case and determine the compensation available to you. Typically, the extent of your injuries will significantly affect the amount of money you may recover. While each case is different, victims of bus accidents may seek compensation for:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Loss of future earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Mental distress

Is There a Deadline for Filing a Bus Accident Claim?

The Colorado statute of limitations sets the time limit for bus accident claims. Under Colorado law, a bus accident victim has three years from the date of the accident to begin their lawsuit. If you do not file your lawsuit within this time frame, you may no longer be able to pursue your losses in court.

However, other deadlines may exist for any claims against the local or municipal government if a public entity owned the bus. Specifically, a Notice of Claim against a government entity must be filed within 182 days of the injury according to the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act.

Because of the time-sensitive nature of filing a lawsuit, regardless of who you are suing, it is critical to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident so they can meet all necessary deadlines.

Contact a Denver Bus Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a bus accident in Denver, contact The Wilhite Law Firm. We can handle your case from start to finish, demanding the full and fair compensation you deserve. Let us do the work while you focus on your recovery. Contact us today for a free case review.