Bus Accident Attorney

Have you been injured in a bus accident? We can help!

Bus Accidents in Northern Virginia

If you’ve been injured in a bus collision, you should be able to rest and recover in peace. You shouldn’t have to worry about who’s to blame.

We are here to handle the tough parts of the process for you. We’ll find out who’s liable in your bus crash.

A Look at the Rules Around Bus Accidents

U.S. law governs most buses that are on the road in terms of fitness, driver training, qualification and supervision.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates many crashes and then issues a lengthy report. Although that report cannot be used at trial, it provides helpful leads.

Common Carriers vs. Private Carriers in Bus Accidents

If the bus is a common carrier, it must exercise utmost care and skill. Private carriers must only exercise reasonable care.

Examples of common carriers:

The Greyhound bus and others like it that operate between states.
Local town, city, and county buses.
Local hop-on and off tour buses are mostly private for profit in-state carriers that are a common carrier.

Examples of private carriers:

School buses.
Airport and hotel shuttle buses.
Local touring buses if they’re for-profit, or if they function as a charter bus.
Limousines over a certain size.
Church buses are often private carriers, and some of them may not have to follow governmental rules.

What We Investigate in Bus Accident Cases

Licensing. Bus drivers must hold a commercial drivers’ license (CDL) and a current one-year medical certification.
Bus driver fault. We look at the driver’s skill level, the possibility of distracted driving, and any license issues.
Weak roofs. A lot of windows decreases the safety and support of the roof, which is a major problem in a rollover.
Absence of seat belts. Some carriers object to the added weight and expense, but seat belts save lives.
Absence of window glazing. Without window glazing, people get thrown from a bus in the event of a crash.
Improper maintenance of the bus or mechanical failure.
Road or weather conditions.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports often provide clues

Other Services

Bicycle Accidents

Truck Accidents

Pedestrian Accidents

Motorcycle Accidents

Boating Accidents

Bus Accidents

Car Accidents

Drunk Driving Accidents

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Results that speak for themselves

We've handled their injuries

Brien Roche has handled injuries for many others in trials. See why we’re the right choice for your injury case in Northern Virginia.

“Mr Roche has helped me with a very difficult personal injury case, with great success. His offices and employees are professional, helpful, and most importantly have the experience, to get you the result you need. Look no further, Mr Roche is the lawyer you have been searching for.”

Lars P.

Happy Client

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a bus accident attorney?

If your injuries from the bus accident are serious and/or it seems there may be long-term damage, you should consider hiring counsel.

An attorney can help you if the case is complex or disputed. In these circumstances, you should get the lawyer early to protect you and your interests.

In any type of complex suit you need counsel. There are tough issues that may arise in these cases.

On the other hand, if your case involves only minor injury to yourself and minimal property damage, you may not need a lawyer.

What should I do after a bus accident?

If you're involved in a bus accident, follow these steps:

Seek medical attention. Some injuries may not show up right away so it's a good idea to get checked out even if you don't feel hurt at the scene. Being examined will also support your legal case and/or your insurance claim.
Call the police. You can call the police yourself even if the bus driver called the police. It will give you evidence for your future case.
Ask for your driver's information. Write down their name, phone number, and licensing number, plus the bus registration. The police may gather this information also
Ask for witnesses' information. Ask anybody who saw what happened if you can have their details to help your case later. They may also remember the accident better than you if you're in shock.
Photos. Be sure to take photos of the bus, street, anything else that was damaged, and any injuries to yourself.
Reach out to a personal injury attorney. Depending on which state the bus accident happened in and what kind of carrier was involved, there may be a limit to how long you have to file a claim. So get a lawyer as soon as possible. They'll help you collect evidence and reach a fair settlement, or represent you through trial if needed.

How will I get compensated?

If your case is successful, you'll receive financial compensation known as damages. The damages that may be awarded are based on variety of factors, including:

Your physical injury
How long the injury lasted
The permanency of that injury
Your medical expenses
Your loss of income
Intangible pain, suffering, anguish, and embarrassment you might have felt as a result of the bus accident

How long do I have to file a claim?

In Virginia, the statute of limitations for injury to a person is two years from the date of injury. In the District of Columbia and Maryland, there is a three-year statute of limitations.

Generally speaking, this means a lawsuit must be filed at the courthouse within the time stated. There are exceptions to the rules but If the statute has expired without the filing of a lawsuit, then your claim is forever barred.

These rules can get very complex so you should consult with an attorney as soon as possible after you have suffered any injury in a bus accident. The attorney can explain your legal rights and the statute of limitations. You can then make a decision about what you want to do next.

How much does it cost to hire a bus accident attorney?

In most cases, a personal injury lawyer represents you, the plaintiff, for a contingency fee. A contingency fee is a legal fee that is dependent on the outcome of the case.

In most instances, the fee is one-third of the gross recovery in damages. So if the gross recovery is $100,000, then the attorney's fees is one-third of that.

If there's no recovery in the case, then there are no attorney's fees due.

This system of contingent fees allows people who could not otherwise afford counsel to hire a lawyer. If people couldn't afford a lawyer, many valid claims wouldn't be pursued.

Note: The attorney may be required under the rules of the State Bar to hold the plaintiff responsible for costs. Most State Bars require that the personal injury lawyer tells the plaintiffs they may be responsible for the cost of litigation. Those costs include the cost of filing suit and the cost of experts. There may be other costs, too.