You could be entitled to compensation if you were hurt in a collision with a city or school bus. With the guidance of a bus accident attorney in Reno, you could secure the monetary damages you need to heal and rebuild your life.
When bus accidents happen, the outcome can be catastrophic for those involved. Passenger vehicles have safety features such as airbags and seatbelts, and buses do not. Due to the severity of these collisions, recovering fair compensation is crucial. Do not put your case at risk by handling it yourself. Instead, let a Reno bus accident lawyer at Valiente Mott help you seek justice.
How Valiente Mott Approaches Your Reno Bus Accident
At Valiente Mott, we approach bus accident claims with a focused strategy that reflects our firm’s unique approach:
- In-Depth Case Evaluation and Investigation: We diligently assess each case, reviewing all pertinent details like accident reports and witness statements to thoroughly understand the incident and identify liable parties.
- Collaboration with Professionals: In building your case, we collaborate with medical professionals and accident reconstructionists, ensuring a well-supported claim that accurately reflects the accident’s cause and your injuries.
- Commitment to Maximizing Compensation: Our primary goal is to secure the highest possible compensation for you, covering all aspects of your losses, from medical expenses to pain and suffering.
- Personalized Representation and Support: We provide tailored legal representation, adapting our approach to meet your specific needs. Keeping you informed and supported throughout the process, we ensure you are involved and comfortable with each step of your case.
Filing A Bus Accident Injury Claim
A civil lawsuit is your best option in the aftermath of a bus accident. A Reno personal injury lawyer will guide you every step of the way. It is often possible to resolve your claim without filing a lawsuit. The work required to resolve it starts long before any legal action is filed. Often, it is possible to reach a negotiated settlement with the bus company or their insurance carrier.
When settlements do not happen, the first step in litigation involves filing a lawsuit. Once filed, you must serve a copy of the lawsuit to all of the parties you intend to sue. The defendant(s) will have a chance to answer your complaint.
After the initial filings are made, the case moves into discovery. During this phase, both sides are required to exchange their evidence. Once this process is finished, both sides will prepare for trial. After a judge or jury hears all of the evidence, they will determine if compensation is warranted.
Who Is Responsible For A Bus Accident?
Bus accident liability in Reno, NV, is an important aspect of any personal injury claim. Before you can recover compensation, you must first establish who was at fault. Different parties could be to blame for your collision, and a Reno bus accident law firm could help you identify them. Some of these parties may include:
- Bus drivers: The liability of the bus driver is often scrutinized, especially if the accident was due to negligence such as distracted driving or failure to adhere to traffic laws. The driver’s training, experience, and actions at the time of the accident are critical factors in determining fault.
- Bus companies: Bus companies can be held responsible for accidents due to factors like inadequate training of drivers, poor maintenance of the fleet, or failure to enforce safety regulations, making them a key party in many bus accident claims in Reno.
- Mechanics or repair shops: If a bus accident in Reno is attributed to faulty repair work or maintenance, mechanics or repair shops can be liable. The focus is on whether they adhered to industry standards in maintaining and repairing the bus.
- Bus or parts manufacturers: Manufacturers may be liable in Reno bus accident claims if the accident was caused by a design or manufacturing defect in the bus, such as faulty brakes or steering components.
- Local governments: In cases where public transportation is involved in Reno – such as Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County (RTC) vehicles, local governments could be held responsible, particularly if the accident was due to issues like poor road conditions or inadequate oversight of public transit operations.
- Operators of other motor vehicles: If another driver, or drivers, caused the collision, their insurer may be responsible for your injuries.
Common Causes Of Reno Bus Accidents
Common causes of bus accidents in Reno include a variety of factors, often attributable to the unique challenges of navigating a bustling urban environment combined with the specific demands of operating a large public transit vehicle:
- Driver Error or Negligence: This can include speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, or failure to observe traffic laws. In a city like Reno, where traffic can be heavy and unpredictable, driver attentiveness is crucial.
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Buses that aren’t properly maintained, with issues like faulty brakes, tire problems, or malfunctioning lights and signals, can lead to accidents. Regular maintenance is essential for the safety of these large vehicles.
- Roadway Conditions: Reno’s road conditions, including construction zones, poorly marked lanes, or inadequate signage, can contribute to bus accidents, particularly in areas with high traffic volumes.
- Weather Conditions: Although extreme weather is less common in Reno, conditions like rain or strong winds can affect driving conditions and increase the risk of accidents, especially for high-profile vehicles like buses.
- Other Motorists: Actions of other drivers on the road, such as cutting off a bus, driving erratically, or failing to yield the right of way, can also cause bus accidents.
- Pedestrian and Bicyclist Interactions: In a pedestrian-heavy city like Reno, interactions between buses and pedestrians or bicyclists can sometimes lead to accidents, particularly in congested areas like the Strip.
- Improper Lane Changes and Turns: Given their size and limited maneuverability, buses can be involved in accidents while making lane changes or turns, especially if not executed with proper caution.
Reno Common Carrier Laws
In Reno, common carrier laws play a crucial role in bus accident claims. These laws hold that entities operating as common carriers, which include public and private bus companies, have a heightened duty of care towards their passengers. This elevated standard means that bus companies and their drivers must exercise a higher degree of vigilance and caution than ordinary drivers to ensure passenger safety. In the context of bus accidents, whether it’s a collision, a passenger injury onboard, or incidents involving entering or exiting the bus, these common carrier laws are central to establishing liability. The law recognizes that passengers place their trust and safety in the hands of these carriers, and as such, expects carriers to take all reasonable measures to protect them.
When a bus accident occurs in Reno, the legal implications under common carrier laws can be significant. For instance, if a bus accident is caused by the driver’s negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, or failure to follow traffic rules, both the driver and the bus company can be held liable for injuries sustained by passengers or other affected parties. Similarly, if the accident results from inadequate maintenance of the bus or insufficient training of the driver, the bus company could be held accountable under these laws. Additionally, common carrier laws also consider the role of third parties, such as other drivers, pedestrians, or even governmental entities responsible for road maintenance. In such cases, liability may be shared among multiple parties. For victims of bus accidents in Reno, understanding the nuances of common carrier laws is crucial for pursuing a claim, as it directly impacts the likelihood of obtaining fair compensation for their injuries and losses.
Statute Of Limitations In Reno Bus Accident Laws
In Reno, the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit related to a bus accident falls under the broader personal injury statute of limitations. NRS 11.190(4)(e) provides that individuals have two (2) years from the date of the accident to initiate a personal injury lawsuit. This two-year timeframe applies to cases involving injuries sustained in a bus accident, whether the injured party is a passenger, a pedestrian, or an occupant of another vehicle involved in the collision with the bus.
It’s crucial to be aware of this statute of limitations because failing to file a lawsuit within this two-year period typically results in the loss of the right to seek legal remedy for damages suffered in the bus accident. This time limit ensures that cases are brought to attention while evidence is still fresh and recollections of the incident are clear.
Call A Reno Bus Accident Lawyer Today
You deserve an auto accident attorney in Reno who will aggressively pursue the fair outcome you deserve. With the right attorney by your side, you may be able to recover damages that pay for your medical bills and other losses.
Our team at Valiente Mott understands what your case means to you. We are ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve, and we will fight tirelessly for a fair outcome in your case. Reach out as soon as possible to schedule your free consultation with a Reno bus accident attorney.