Manassas, Virginia Bus Accident Attorneys

Lawyers for Accidents With Public Buses, School Buses, or Other Buses in Manassas, VA

Buses carry passengers throughout Manassas and the surrounding areas every day. City transit vehicles travel on public routes, school buses transport children to and from school, charter buses carry groups to destinations across the region, and private shuttle services connect riders to commuter rail stations and airports. When a bus accident occurs, the consequences can affect a large number of people. Passengers inside the vehicle, occupants of other vehicles involved in the collision, and pedestrians nearby can all be seriously hurt in a matter of seconds.

Bus accident cases may involve legal complexities that go beyond other types of car accidents. The type of bus involved, the entity that operated it, and the circumstances that caused the crash all affect who may be held liable and the steps that victims can take to obtain compensation. At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, we represent bus accident victims and help them protect their rights as they address the damages they have suffered.

Who May Be Injured in a Bus Accident

Bus accidents can put several groups of people at risk. Passengers may be at a higher risk of harm in bus accidents due to the lack of seat belts or other safety systems. Seat backs, handrails, steps, and windows can become hazards that may cause injuries when a bus stops suddenly or rolls over.

Occupants of other vehicles involved in a collision with a bus may sustain serious injuries due to the size difference between a bus and a passenger car. A pedestrian who is struck by a bus may be at risk of even more severe injuries. A bus moving away from a bus stop, turning at an intersection, or backing up in a parking lot may strike a pedestrian with little warning, and the weight of the vehicle can lead to catastrophic harm.

Causes of Bus Accidents

Multiple people or entities may be responsible for bus accidents. Our attorneys can help identify the causes of an accident, addressing issues such as:

Bus Driver Negligence

Bus drivers operate large, heavy vehicles on routes that may include congested roads, tight turns, frequent stops, and passengers who are constantly boarding and exiting the vehicle. A driver who does not follow the proper safety procedures can create serious risks for everyone around them.

Distracted driving is a significant concern for bus operators. Bus drivers may need to pay attention to routes and schedules, watch their mirrors, and respond to passengers while they are driving. These ongoing demands on their attention can take their focus away from the road. A driver may fail to check for pedestrians before pulling away from a bus stop, fail to yield properly at an intersection, or misjudge the clearance available when changing lanes. This can cause a collision that may injure multiple people at once.

Fatigue can affect bus drivers who work early morning or late-night shifts, split schedules, or extended hours without receiving enough rest. The same impairments that make fatigued driving dangerous for any driver are magnified when a person is operating a vehicle that carries dozens of passengers and weighs many times more than a passenger car.

Drunk driving, speeding, following too closely, and failure to observe traffic signals are other forms of driver negligence that can lead to bus accidents. Bus drivers who act negligently may be responsible for causing collisions and injuries to multiple people.

Improper Bus Maintenance

Buses operating under demanding conditions, and their mechanical systems must be properly maintained to ensure that they remain safe. Brake system failures, tire blowouts, steering defects, and door failures are just a few of the maintenance-related problems that can cause or contribute to bus accidents.

Transit agencies, school districts, and private bus operators are responsible for establishing maintenance programs and keeping their vehicles in safe operating condition. Vehicles should be taken out of service when defects are identified to ensure that the proper repairs will be performed. A bus that is dispatched with known mechanical problems or has not received scheduled maintenance may lead to accidents, and a bus company or government agency may be held responsible.

Negligent Hiring and Training

Bus operators have a responsibility to hire qualified drivers, verify their credentials and driving records, and provide adequate training. A company or agency that employs a driver with a history of serious traffic violations, fails to verify a bus driver's license qualifications, or sends drivers onto the road without proper training may be responsible for accidents that occur as a result.

Road and Infrastructure Conditions

In some cases, poor road conditions can contribute to bus crashes. Issues such as inadequate signage, deteriorated pavement, or poorly designed intersections can play a role in collisions. Government entities that are responsible for road design and maintenance may be liable for the injuries that occur in these accidents.

The Importance of Acting Quickly After a Bus Accident

Bus accident cases often involve additional legal requirements that may not apply in other types of motor vehicle accidents. Claims against government entities require written notice to be filed within specific timeframes. Missing these deadlines can prevent a valid claim from proceeding.

Physical evidence at the accident scene, bus maintenance records, driver logs, surveillance footage from the bus and nearby cameras, and witness statements may need to be gathered and preserved. Our legal team can move quickly to secure evidence, and we will make sure all applicable deadlines are met during a case.

Compensation for Bus Accident Victims

People injured in bus accidents may be able to recover compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses caused by the crash. Future medical costs and diminished earning capacity will need to be projected and documented in cases involving serious injuries. When a bus accident results in a fatality, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim.

Our attorneys understand how to properly calculate the damages that victims have suffered in bus accidents. We will make sure all effects of an accident and injuries are fully considered, and we will fight to maximize the compensation that our clients can receive.

Contact Our Manassas Bus Accident Lawyers

Locklin & Coleman, PLLC is ready to stand beside bus accident victims, helping them address the complex legal issues that may arise in these cases and working to recover the compensation that will help them move forward. Contact our Manassas, VA bus collision attorneys at 703-392-6686 to arrange a free consultation.