Tucson Bus Accident Attorneys

Helping People Injured in Tucson Bus Accidents

As public carriers, bus companies are held to some of the highest standards on Arizona roads. It does not matter if the driver works for Megabus or the Sun Tran: when a Tucson bus driver gets behind the wheel, they have a duty to act responsibility, put safety above all else, and avoid any reckless actions. When a driver acts negligently, it not only puts other drivers in danger, but passengers as well.

If you or someone you love was injured in a Tucson bus accident, do not hesitate to contact The Husband & Wife Law Team. Our Tucson auto accident attorneys have decades of experience standing up for accident victims and getting them proper compensation for their injuries. We can investigate the driver or company who injured you, collect evidence of negligence, and advocate in a personal injury claim for your best interests. Call us today at (520) 624-4228 to talk about what happened to you in a free consultation.

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What Are Common Causes of Bus Collisions?

Bus drivers are responsible for safely transporting passengers between destinations and must maintain heavy, large vehicles in a variety of road conditions. To do this, they need to be experienced, properly licensed, and focused on the task at hand. Any act of negligence can result in a serious collision that injures multiple drivers, pedestrians, and passengers.

Drivers can act negligently in several ways, including:

• Driving while texting
• Fatigued driving from working during early hours, low light, and long hours
• Driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol
• Failing to check blind spots
• Recklessly merging lanes
• Speeding
• Ignoring red lights, stop signs, and other traffic signs
• Reckless turns, which can contribute to rollovers
• Failing to maintain the bus

These types of negligence can apply to a variety of drivers and bus companies, including:

• Sun Tran, Tucson’s public bus company
• School buses used by Tucson Unified School District
• Greyhound
• Megabus
• FlixBus
• Church buses
• Rental buses
• Tour buses
• Party buses

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Who Is Responsible for a Collision?

Following a serious auto accident, victims may be left with costly medical injuries, weeks to months of lost wages, and in a great deal of pain. If these injuries were caused by another negligent party, then the person who injured them is responsible for paying compensation for all the harm they have suffered. To receive compensation after a bus accident, a victim must determine who is responsible for their injuries, how that party caused their injuries, and what damages they have suffered.

Bus accident victims can include other drivers, pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and passengers. For non-passengers, the responsible party may be the bus driver or their employer. Bus companies have a duty to check driver’s background, provide training, and ensure a vehicle is maintained. If a bus company allowed an inexperienced driver to get behind the wheel or equipment failure to cause a collision, then they can be held responsible for a collision.

For passengers, the responsible party may either be the bus driver, bus company, or another driver who struck the bus. Bus passengers have no control over how a bus is operated, meaning their driver is completely responsible for their safety. If a bus driver, or their parent bus company, act negligently and cause a collision, then they should provide proper compensation to the passenger. If another driver collided with the bus and injured a passenger, then that driver’s auto insurance company is responsible for paying compensation.

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Private vs. Government Claims

After determining who is responsible for your injuries, you will need to file a claim with the bus company or its insurance company. This process will vary depending on the type of bus that caused your injuries.

• Private Bus Operators: Private bus companies must insure their vehicles with commercial liability policies, which can provide significant coverage for injuries after a collision. These policies allow victims up to two years to file a claim for compensation. If you fail to file a claim within that time period, you may be barred from receiving compensation.
• Government Bus Operators: Government bus operators like Greyhound and Sun Tran only allow victims up to 180 days from the date of the accident. However, children injured in bus accidents have 180 days from their 18^th birthday to file a claim. For both adults and children, victims must submit a claim with the government agency and then wait 60 days for a reply. If the agency does not reply within 60 days or denies the claim, the victim can pursue compensation in a jury trial.

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Speak With Our Tucson Bus Accident Lawyers

Whether the responsible party is a private or government operator, going up against a bus company is difficult. These claims have specific guidelines and rules that victims must fulfill before receiving compensation. The operator may also try to deny liability, offer a small settlement offer, or even blame you for your own injuries. In order to get proper compensation, you will need to work with a skilled injury attorney who is not afraid to stand up to a bus company.

The Husband & Wife Law Team is dedicated to standing up for accident victims throughout Tucson. We have successfully recovered millions of dollars in compensation for victims, including in claims against government agencies and bus operators. We provide compassionate and thorough legal representation, ensuring your right to compensation is upheld at every step of your claim. Do not hesitate to give us a call at (520) 624-4228.

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Additional Information

• Sun Tran - Tucson, Arizona
• Transit Services Division - City of Tucson