Washington, DC Bus Accident Lawyer

What Are the Common Causes of Bus Accidents in DC?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 74,000 bus crashes in the United States in 2019. Of those crashes, 14,000 accidents result in an injury, and 232 involve a fatality. With so many accidents occurring throughout the United States, many may wonder what the common causes of bus accidents are. And the answer is usually driver error.

Too many times, a crash could have been avoided if one or more parties had acted responsibly. The most prevalent causes of bus accidents in the DC metro area include:

Driver Negligence

Bus drivers need to be adequately trained to handle these large vehicles. But even the best-trained driver could easily ignore the rules of the road. Therefore, when a driver violates their duty of care and drives recklessly, you have cause to file a claim against the bus driver.

Example of driver negligence includes:

• Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Fatigued driving
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Aggressive driving

Bus Company Negligence

Like trucking companies, companies may cut corners and fail to maintain their buses regularly. A defective part can quickly put the public in danger without regular maintenance to keep buses from running correctly.

The bus company may also be held responsible for how their employee acted before and after the accident. If the bus driver was not properly trained, the company could be held liable for the accident.

Weather Conditions

Inclement weather can easily make driving dangerous for even the most experienced driver. For example, a sudden winter storm can turn the roadway into a sheet of ice. Properly trained drivers know they need to drive with caution in bad weather; however, many take chances to meet their schedules. This can easily result in a deadly accident.

Other Drivers

The negligence of another driver can be the cause of a bus crash. Like bus drivers, other drivers have a duty to drive safely and follow the road rules. However, this is not always the case.

The Government

It’s the government’s responsibility to keep the roads maintained. But if the road was either poorly constructed or is not being maintained and the road conditions caused the accident, the government may be held liable for the accident.

For decades, our Washington, DC bus accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long PLLC has been helping victims and their families recover compensation after these types of negligence cause a accident to occur. We will go after the other party responsible and make sure you get the justice you deserve.

What Are Common Bus Accident Injuries?

The personal injuries caused by a bus accident can be extensive and severe. First, buses or coaches are much larger and heavier than typical vehicles. If a bus crashes into a car, the car will likely sustain much more damage than the bus. The same is true of accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists.

Second, bus passengers typically do not wear seatbelts and may stand if the bus is crowded. In an impact, riders could fall or be thrown into seats, against windows, or other passengers.

Some of the most common types of bus accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries – Whether you’re a passenger or a driver in another vehicle, getting into a bus accident can cause a traumatic brain injury. Brain injuries can cause lifelong disabilities, including paralysis and cognitive impairment.
• Neck and spinal cord injuries – Motorists and bus passengers may suffer spinal cord damage in an accident, resulting in full or partial paralysis and usually requiring extensive treatment.
• Disfigurement – Lacerations from an accident, especially injuries to the face, may cause permanent disfigurement.
• Muscle, nerve, and soft tissue damage – Depending on the circumstances, deep lacerations, broken bones, and other injuries may permanently damage nerves, muscles, and tissue.
• Loss of limb – A Metrobus accident may cause or necessitate the amputation of one or more limbs. These injuries are severely disabling, resulting in significant changes to an individual’s life.
• Wrongful death – Bus accidents can be particularly deadly for pedestrians and cyclists. However, bus passengers and other motorists may also suffer fatal injuries during a crash.

DC Bus Accident Lawyer Questions

How Long Do I Have to File a Bus Accident Claim in the DC Metro Area?

It depends on many factors – where you live in the metro area and the parties that were responsible for the accident. If you are filing a claim with a lawyer against a private bus company, you have three years from the date of the accident to file in DC and Maryland and two years in Virginia where a lawyer from Regan Regan Zambri Long practices.

However, if you were hit by a public transit bus, the time limits for a lawyer filing a claim against the WMATA are different:

• In Washington, DC, your lawyer must file the claim with the Office of Risk Management within six months of the injury.
• In Maryland, your lawyer files a notice with the Maryland State Treasurer within one year of the injury.
• For WMATA claims in Virginia, a lawyer has one year to file a claim with the Commonwealth.

I Was Injured While Riding as a Passenger on the Bus. Who Can I Sue?

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you and your lawyer may be able to hold the at-fault driver and/or bus company liable for your injuries. In some cases, the bus owner or a third party could be held at fault for the accident.

If I Lost a Loved One in a Bus Accident, Can I File a Lawsuit with a lawyer?

If you lost a family member in a bus accident, you have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party.

What Kind of Financial Recovery is Available for Accident Victims in Washington, DC?

Depending on the severity of the injuries and the circumstances surrounding the accident, bus accident victims could receive the following compensation for their accident:

• Economic Damages: Economic damages will cover any financial loss you may have following a bus accident. This includes but is not limited to medical expenses, lost wages, and funeral costs if the accident claimed the life of a loved one.
• Non-Economic Damages: Non-economic damages are meant to compensate you for losses caused by the accident that don’t necessarily have a monetary value to them. Types of non-economic damages include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and loss of companionship.

What Should I Do at the Scene of a Bus Wreck?

Depending on whether you’re a passenger on the bus, a pedestrian, or another driver, your first step is to remain calm and call 911 as possible. Then do the following:

• If you’re able to, get to a place of safety.
• Stay at the accident scene until the police and emergency personnel arrive.
• Give a statement to the police but keep your statements factual. Do not offer an opinion about what happened.
• Try to get photographs of the scene of the accident. Videos are helpful as well.
• Seek medical attention for your injuries, even if you think they’re minor.
• Contact your insurance company to file a claim.
• Call Regan Zambri Long PLLC to protect your bus accident claim.

What Should I Do If the Bus Company Calls Me?

If the bus company or its insurance company calls you before you have a chance to speak with a personal injury lawyer, make sure you keep the information about the accident to yourself. Do not agree to make a recorded statement and do not sign any forms sent to you by the company or insurance carrier. Instead, contact a DC bus accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long right away to protect your case.

What’s the Difference Between Filing a Claim Against the WMATA vs. Private Bus Company?

Like a truck accident, you can file a personal injury claim against the company’s insurance for your injuries. But when you have a claim against the government, your claim can be a little more difficult.

When filing a claim against the WMATA, the doctrine of sovereign immunity may apply. Sovereign immunity prohibits your ability to sue the government in certain cases.

To file a lawsuit, you will need to first file a Notice of Claim within six months to the Office of Risk Management. The notice must contain the following information:

• Your name
• The date, time, and location of the incident
• What caused the injury
• The circumstances surrounding your injury
• The police or incident report related to the accident
• Medical bills or reports relating to your injury

It takes approximately five business days for WMATA to respond; however, depending on the complaint it may require additional time to investigate the accident.

Who Pays for the Medical Bills After a Bus Crash?

Washington, DC is a no-fault state. What this means is your insurance company will pay for your injuries, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. In a bus accident, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance will cover the medical expenses, up to $50,000.

However, PIP does not cover other damages such as lost wages or pain and suffering. In addition, you are not required to purchase PIP insurance in Washington, DC. To pay for all expenses, you will need to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party.

Could I Be Held Responsible for a DC Bus Accident?

If you are a passenger on the bus at the time of the accident, the possibility of being responsible for the crash is unlikely. However, there are situations where you may have played a part in the personal injury. For example, let’s say you were being rowdy on the bus. You were sitting incorrectly on your seat and you were speaking to your friend sitting behind you. The driver stops short to avoid hitting a dog, causing you to fall. In a situation like this, the court may find you partially at fault for your accident since you were sitting incorrectly in your seat.

DC, Virginia, and Maryland all follow the contributory negligence fault system. What this law states is if the plaintiff is found at fault by any degree for the accident, they will not be able to recover any damages.

How Is Fault Determined in DC Bus Accidents?

To determine fault, the following elements must be present:

• The bus driver or bus company had a responsibility to keep you safe from harm. This is called duty of care.
• The at-fault party breached the duty of care. For instance, a bus driver was driving while intoxicated or the bus company had not regularly maintained the vehicle.
• The breach had resulted in an accident and that accident had caused an injury.
• Because of the injury, the victim now owes damages. These damages include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

If the bus company or driver meets these four elements, then they will be held liable for your accident.

Regan Zambri Long Bus Accident Attorneys Are Here to Help

If you live in the Washington, DC Metro area and were injured on a bus, know that you have rights. The Washington, DC bus accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long will help you recover the compensation that you need to get on the path of recovery. We work on a contingency basis so you do not have to worry about affording a personal injury lawyer until your claim is settled. If we are unsuccessful, then you do not owe us a fee.