Fort Collins Bus Accident Lawyer

Taking the bus is a necessity for many people. Bus transit is an affordable, reliable, and typically hassle-free method of getting to work, school, or across town to run errands. However, when accidents involving buses occur, people can suffer serious injuries as passengers on the bus, occupants of other vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians. Trying to determine what happened and who is liable for the bus wreck that harmed you can be challenging, which is why working with an experienced legal team is critical.

Our knowledgeable Fort Collins bus accident lawyer at The Wilhite Law Firm can answer all your questions and help guide you through the legal process of pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. Our firm has been in business the longest in Colorado, so our personal injury attorneys have the necessary experience.

Typical Causes of Bus Wrecks

Bus accidents can occur for a wide range of reasons. A major contributing factor in most bus crashes is the bus driver’s negligent driving. For example, some bus drivers feel pressure to meet unrealistic schedules, so they speed or drive recklessly, passing other vehicles unsafely or making abrupt lane changes. Some bus drivers push themselves to drive for longer than they should without taking necessary breaks, which can cause them to make mistakes due to fatigue.

Bus drivers can also be tempted by common distractions, such as:

• Talking or texting on cellphones
• Eating a sandwich
• Changing the radio station
• Looking at their global-positioning-system (GPS) device for directions

Large buses are also harder to handle than passenger vehicles, as they can take longer to stop and need more space to make turns. Inexperience combined with inadequate training can increase the risk of accidents.

In addition to driver negligence, bus parts can malfunction, making it harder to steer or brake. Our skilled Fort Collins bus crash lawyers can carefully examine evidence from the accident to determine what went wrong.

Who May Be Liable for a Bus Crash?

Sometimes, more than one party is legally responsible for a bus accident.

Negligent Driver

You can file a lawsuit directly against the driver who caused the crash. However, the individual driver may not have the financial means to cover the full costs of the accident.

Bus Company

You may be able to sue the bus company that employed the driver, as employers are vicariously responsible for the negligent actions of their employee drivers. You may also be eligible to sue the bus company directly, such as if there is evidence that the company failed to conduct background checks on new drivers or failed to train their new employees.

Bus Owner

You may be able to file suit against the bus owner for the driver’s negligence. If the owner of the bus is a municipal or city agency, different legal considerations and procedures would apply. Our skilled attorneys can help you with all relevant legal procedures.

Manufacturer

If a bus part was inherently defective, you can sue the vehicle’s manufacturer in a product liability suit. Our lawyers can help you gather evidence for this situation.

Maintenance Crews

If a bus part malfunctioned due to overuse and lack of proper maintenance, you can sue the mechanic who failed to perform necessary inspections and repairs. Our dedicated Fort Collins bus accident attorneys can identify who is to blame for your accident and help you pursue a claim against all responsible parties.

Contact a Fort Collins Bus Accident Attorney to Take Legal Action Today

Lawsuits following bus accidents can be complex. To give yourself the best chance of succeeding, it is essential that you work with a seasoned local legal team. Contact our Fort Collins bus accident lawyer from The Wilhite Law Firm to help you get started today. Wilhite wins for our clients.