Whether you are on a car, bike, a pedestrian or on the bus, getting injured in a bus accident can lead to catastrophic injuries. Bus accidents have a much higher likelihood of causing injury and death. Since bus drivers are transporting many passengers, they have a higher duty of care to drive with caution.
Bus accident cases require a special level of legal expertise and knowledge to handle successfully. If you were injured in a Colorado bus accident you need an experienced Colorado springs bus accident attorney to help fight for you. The aftermath of a bus accident can be complicated, but with an El Paso County Bus Accident Attorney, you can navigate the legal process with peace of mind.
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Buses Are Considered “Common Carriers in Colorado
Buses in Colorado are considered “common carrier” vehicles – those that regularly transport people and goods with established routes and schedules. They are also a public utility in Colorado. Examples of other common carriers in Colorado include freight trucks with cargo loads, buses, and taxi services.
Colorado Bus Drivers Have a Higher Duty of Care as Common Carriers
Since buses are public utilities that operate to serve the public, they are held to a higher duty of care standard. By law, Common carriers are supposed to promote and protect public safety. Part of their duties as a common carrier include routine safety inspections to be sure their vehicles and equipment are operating safely. They must also comply with financial responsibilities if they are liable for any accidents.
Most common carriers have insurance coverage that will pay damages for certain injuries sustained by the passengers or third parties. What’s more, since buses usually carry a larger number of people, they have a higher potential for injuring more people. As a result, their liability limits are generally higher than regular auto insurance policies. A El Paso County Bus Accident Attorney can help you get the maximum compensation possible from your bus accident claim.
Who Is Liable in an El Paso County Bus Accident Case?
Accidents involving busses may involve multiple parties including:
- Passengers
- The bus driver
- Other injured drivers
- The common carrier company or bus company
- Pedestrians, bikers, or motorcyclists
Any of these parties could have caused or contributed to the accident. If you wish to file a personal injury claim, you need a skilled El Paso County Bus Accident Lawyer to help you identify all liable parties and pursue them for your rightful compensation. In most cases, a bus accident claim will initially be presumed liability of all parties involved except for passengers.
Here are some other common groups of parties that can be liable in a bus accident:
- The government – school or transit buses are government operated entities. Thus, an accident with any of the two will result in government liability. If you end up in a bus accident involving government liability, you will have less time to file a claim. In such cases, it’s crucial to contact an El Paso County Bus Accident Attorney as soon as possible after the accident.
- Another driver – sometimes, you might get injured on a bus but the bus driver wasn’t at fault. When another third party driver is at fault, you may need to file a claim through the at-fault party’s insurance.
- Private Bus Companies – bus companies can be held vicariously liable for their drivers’ negligent actions if they cause an accident. The company has a legal obligation to employ safe and prudent drivers who uphold their duty of care. Whether the company knowingly or unknowingly hired a negligent bus driver, they can be liable for the accident if the driver’s negligence caused your injuries.
- Bus manufacturing company – buses are designed to travel long distances and sustain harsh road conditions. However, when a bus or vehicle manufacturer sells defective or faulty parties, they can be liable for an accident.
The Catch 22 With Colorado Bus Accidents
While bus drivers and companies owe a higher duty of care than other drivers, it’s also more difficult to handle bus accident cases and their insurance adjusters.
To drive a 20,000 plus pound bus in Colorado, drivers are held to a higher standard on the road. They are also required to get proper licensing and certification. Since they transport many people, they are expected to assume even more caution and prudence while driving a bus. Sometimes, it’s easier for the injured victims to prove liability of a bus driver after an accident.
That said, dealing with bus companies and their respective insurance companies can be very difficult. Companies that own buses have large insurance policies and strong legal teams to protect themselves. Their insurance adjusters usually do everything in their power to deny liability or undervalue your claim. But an El Paso County Bus Accident Attorney can help protect you from unfair insurance tactics that try to prevent you from getting rightful compensation.
You May Be Entitled to Recover Damage Compensation After a Colorado Bus Accident
If you were injured in a bus accident in Colorado, you might be entitled to recover compensation. A El Paso County Bus Accident Attorney can help you recover damages for bodily injuries, property damage, medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, physical disabilities, and other damages. The best way to ensure you get fair compensation for all damages you are entitled to is by having a knowledgeable El Paso County Bus Accident Attorney handle your case.
Leading Causes of Bus Accidents in El Paso County
Tour buses and other commercial buses are one of the most common types of buses that cause accidents in Colorado. The booming tourism gives way to a high volume of tour buses frequently traveling throughout Colorado roadways. From ski resorts to campsites and other recreational and scenic areas throughout the state, there’s no shortage of destinations in the beautiful state.
However, since these buses are owned by private companies, the company might ultimately be liable if their bus driver’s negligence caused your injuries.
A bus driver might be found negligent for causing your injuries if they engaged in any of the following while driving the bus:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Tailgating another vehicle
- Driving while tired
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Reckless driving
Common Types of Injuries in El Paso County Bus Accidents
Bus accidents are not like regular car accidents. They cause much more damage due to the sheer size and weight of the bus. Even if victims do survive a bus accident, they may walk away with chronic, life-long, or debilitating consequences. Here are some of the most common injuries from El Paso County bus accidents:
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Spinal cord injury
- Paralysis (complete or partial)
- Nerve damage
- Neurological damage
- Internal organ damage
- Broken or fractured bones
- Bruises and lacerations
How Can A El Paso County Bus Accident Attorney Help Me?
Getting into a bus accident can be a traumatic experience. But with the help of an El Paso County Bus Accident Attorney, you can have an easier experience navigating the legal process.
Here are some ways an El Paso County Bus Accident Attorney can help with your case.
They Know the Law and Can Help You File Your Claim Correctly and on Time
Working with an experienced attorney is critical when you need to file a bus accident claim. You’ll have to deal with unfamiliar legal proceedings, legal teams that represent the bus company, and medical providers. All of this can quickly become overwhelming, especially while you’re injured. The fact that you might need to file a bus accident claim against a government entity or large bus company only further complicates matters. Your attorney can help you navigate this difficult process so you can focus on healing.
A El Paso County Bus Accident Attorney Can Represent You in Court
Buses are usually owned by big companies that have large legal teams to protect them from liability. They want to protect their bottom line and their reputation. This is why you need an attorney to stand up to their strong legal representation, especially if your case goes to trial.
You’re More Likely to Get More Compensation for Your Losses With an El Paso County Bus Accident Attorney
Bus accidents are immense vehicles that are capable of causing massive damage. If you were injured in another vehicle that collided with a bus, you likely have severe injuries. And you deserve compensation for your damages. Severe bus accidents can cause life-long disabilities and long-term damage for accident victims. By hiring an attorney, you have a better chance at getting the full compensation you are entitled to.
You Get to Focus On Healing While Your Attorney Handles Your Case
The last thing you want to do after a bus accident injury is worry about dealing with insurance companies and complex legal proceedings. That’s why we want to help take some of that stress off your plate and let you concentrate on your recovery. We will handle all legal proceedings for you and keep your best interest at the forefront of the case from start to finish.
Contact an El Paso County Bus Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an El Paso County bus accident or in Denver, be sure to protect your rights with the help of expert legal counsel. Bus accidents often cause catastrophe and devastation for all parties involved. An attorney can assess your case and help you determine if you are entitled to compensation.
Call us today for a free initial consultation.
