Bus accidents are a serious type of collision that can inflict severe injuries on those involved – both bus passengers and victims outside of the bus. At Hadfield Stieben & Doutt, LLC, our team of attorneys has years of experience representing bus accident victims and their families. We know how to navigate the unique challenges involved in these cases.
Our Fort Collins personal injury lawyers are committed to helping clients get justice for preventable school, public, charter, and private bus accidents in Colorado. Find out how we can help you during a free case review when you contact us.
Why Choose the Hadfield Steiben Doutt Bus Accident Attorneys?
- Many of our attorneys previously worked defending insurance companies. Our history with the other side allows us to achieve better results for clients in bus accident cases.
- We are a local Fort Collins law firm with large firm experience. We understand the laws and issues involved in bus accident cases and how to maximize our clients’ case results.
- You won’t pay your bus accident lawyer from Hadfield Stieben Doutt anything unless we win your case. Our Colorado personal injury lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis.
How Can a Fort Collins Bus Accident Lawyer Help You?
Bus accidents are more complex than standard car accident claims in Colorado. They often involve multiple liable parties, government liability, unique types of evidence, federal bus regulations, and serious or catastrophic injuries. These elements make it important to hire an attorney to represent you in the fight for fair compensation.
A Fort Collins bus accident lawyer will gather key evidence to support your bus accident case, such as police reports, bus maintenance records, bus driver employment documentation, witness statements, photographs, and videos. A lawyer can also hire experts, if necessary, to testify on specific subjects, such as accident reconstructionists and medical experts.
While you spend your time healing and focusing on your future, an experienced bus accident attorney in Fort Collins will handle insurance companies to pursue fair and full compensation. Your lawyer will give you an accurate evaluation of how much your case is worth, then use personalized legal strategies to advocate for the maximum possible compensation in and out of court.
Who Is Liable for a Bus Accident in Fort Collins?
Colorado is a fault-based state. Under this insurance rule, the party responsible for causing a bus accident will be liable, or financially responsible, for the losses and injuries suffered by victims. Liability will depend on the cause of the bus accident.
Possibilities include:
- A bus driver
- Another driver
- A bus company
- A private school
- A government agency
- The Regional Transport District
- A bus part manufacturer
- A bus maintenance team
Bus accident cases are unique because they can involve the liability of more than just the at-fault driver. The bus company or government agency that owns the bus can also face vicarious liability. Our Fort Collins auto accident lawyers can identify all liable parties in your case.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Fort Collins, CO
Bus accidents are often caused by human error and negligence, or someone failing to meet the correct standard of care. Bus companies and their drivers have a legal responsibility to follow federal regulations when it comes to safe bus operations. Unfortunately, these standards are often not met.
Frequently identified bus accident causes in Colorado include:
- Bus driver error
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Texting and other cell phone use
- Drowsy driving
- Driving under the influence
- Following too closely
- Making unsafe lane changes
- Inadequate bus driver training
- Poor bus maintenance
- Bus part breakdowns or failures
These issues can lead to serious injuries from bus accidents, such as bone fractures, internal injuries, burn injuries, soft-tissue damage, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. When someone’s mistake, negligence, or recklessness results in serious injuries from a bus accident, one or more parties could be liable.
Steps to Take After a Bus Accident in Fort Collins, CO
If you get injured in a bus accident in Colorado, these are the steps you should take to protect your rights without delay:
- Stay calm and ensure your immediate safety.
- Evacuate the bus and remain in a safe location until help arrives.
- Check yourself and others involved in the accident for injuries.
- Seek medical attention from a professional right away.
- Report the accident to the police by calling 911 from the scene.
- If you were driving a car outside of the bus, don’t admit fault for the crash.
- Gather evidence, such as pictures, bus driver information and witness names.
- Contact the bus company’s insurance provider to file your claim.
Before accepting a quick insurance settlement that may not represent the true extent of your losses, contact Hadfield Stieben & Doutt, LLC to learn how much your bus accident case is actually worth.
Types of Compensation Available in a Fort Collin Bus Accident Case
Filing a bus accident claim with help from our attorneys could lead to a financial recovery for all of your crash-related damages. Colorado law allows for the recovery of economic and non-economic damages, as well as punitive damages, in cases involving reckless driving or gross negligence.
You may be entitled to the following types of compensation:
- Current and future medical costs
- Property damage repairs
- Lost wages
- Loss of the capacity to earn
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death (if applicable)
Our lawyers will give you an accurate case value estimate so that you don’t settle for less than you deserve. If you or a loved one needs long-term care, we can work with Life Care Planners and medical teams to calculate future costs.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Fort Collins Bus Accident Claim?
A bus accident injury lawsuit must be filed before the deadline in Colorado. According to the statute of limitations, all automobile accident cases must be filed no later than three years from the date of the accident. A wrongful death claim must be filed within two years of the date of the deceased person’s death.
However, if a bus accident case involves a government agency, such as the Colorado Department of Transportation, Mountain Metropolitan Transit or the Regional Transportation District, you will have a much shorter deadline of just 182 days. This is the time by which you must file your notice of intent to sue with the government entity.
Contact Our Fort Collins Bus Accident Attorneys for a Free Case Review
If you or someone you love has been injured in a bus accident in Fort Collins or the surrounding area, the lawyers at HSD Law can help. We can go up against powerful adversaries and insurance companies in pursuit of justice for your serious bus accident injuries. Learn more today when you contact us online or at (970) 221-2800 for a free consultation.