Salt Lake City Bus Accident Lawyer

A bus accident has taken away your ability to work or provide for your family. You face a long recuperation and may never fully recover. Another party was negligent or reckless, and now you are financially and emotionally stressed. A Salt Lake City bus accident lawyer at Valiente Mott can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

At Valiente Mott, our personal injury lawyers are dedicated to providing legal representation for those affected by bus accidents. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges and complexities involved in bus accident cases, we offer tailored legal solutions to ensure their clients receive the justice and compensation they deserve. Whether dealing with injuries, trauma, or losses stemming from a bus accident, our team at Valiente Mott is equipped with the knowledge, experience, and commitment to advocate vigorously on behalf of their clients. Contact us today for your free consultation.

Bus Accident Statistics

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), hundreds of people die each year nationwide due to bus accidents. In addition, thousands more suffer serious and sometimes permanent injuries. So, it is not surprising that bus accidents are so devastating. Moreover, as FMCSA points out, the mass of a bus “increases the risk of more severe crash damage, injuries, and fatalities.”

Common Bus Accidents

In the Salt Lake City area, accidents involving school buses or tour buses occur all too often. The city’s public bus transit system also has its share of collisions.

Common causes of bus accidents that our Salt Lake City attorneys see include:

• Driver negligence: Bus accidents in Salt Lake City often occur due to driver negligence, which can include distracted driving, failure to adhere to traffic laws, or operating the bus while fatigued. These accidents highlight the critical importance of rigorous training and attentiveness required for bus drivers.
• Negligence of another driver: Many bus accidents in Salt Lake City are the result of negligence by other drivers, such as cars abruptly cutting off buses or not yielding the right of way, leading to collisions. These incidents underscore the need for all drivers to be aware of larger vehicles and maintain safe driving practices.
• Bus company negligence: In some cases, bus accidents stem from the negligence of the bus company, such as inadequate maintenance of the fleet or not enforcing proper safety protocols. This negligence can lead to critical failures in bus operations, posing significant risks to passengers and other road users.
• Bad weather: Salt Lake City’s weather can contribute to bus accidents, especially during winter when roads become slippery. Poor visibility and icy conditions demand heightened caution and adaptation from bus drivers to ensure passenger safety.
• Poor road conditions: Accidents in Salt Lake City can also be attributed to poor road conditions, including potholes, inadequate signage, or poorly designed intersections. These conditions can challenge even the most experienced bus drivers and highlight the need for regular road maintenance and improvements.
• Defective vehicles: Defective or poorly maintained bus parts, such as brakes or steering components, can lead to serious accidents in Salt Lake City. Regular, thorough inspections and maintenance are crucial to prevent such accidents and ensure the safety of bus passengers and other road users.

Many bus accidents take place when drivers make a left turn. Overall, this is more dangerous, as there are additional driver distractions. The complexity of judging oncoming traffic speed and distance, along with managing the wide turning radius of a bus, significantly increases the risk of accidents during left turns. Also, the presence of pedestrians and cyclists in urban areas like Salt Lake City can further complicate these turns, requiring heightened vigilance from bus drivers. Left-turn accidents can result in more severe impacts due to the angles and speed involved.

Bus Accident Injuries

When an accident involves a bus and a smaller vehicle, occupants of the car or van are often seriously injured or killed. Common bus accident injuries include:

• Amputation: In bus accidents, severe trauma can lead to amputation, a devastating outcome that profoundly impacts a victim’s life and necessitates long-term rehabilitation and adaptation.
• Broken bones: Bus accidents often result in broken bones, ranging from simple fractures to more complex ones, requiring extensive medical treatment and recovery time.
• Burns: Burns, whether from fires or friction during a bus accident, can lead to serious, painful injuries requiring specialized medical care and potentially causing long-term scarring.
• Disfigurement: Victims of bus accidents may suffer disfigurement, which can have lasting psychological and physical impacts, often necessitating reconstructive surgeries.
• Internal bleeding: Internal bleeding is a serious consequence of bus accidents, requiring immediate medical attention as it may not be immediately apparent but is life-threatening.
• Lacerations: In bus accidents, lacerations are common and can range from minor to severe, possibly leading to significant blood loss and requiring surgical intervention.
• Paralysis: Paralysis, particularly in severe bus accidents, can be a life-altering outcome, potentially resulting in permanent disability and the need for long-term care.
• Traumatic brain injury: Traumatic brain injuries are a serious concern in bus accidents, with potential long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional effects on the victim.

Anyone involved in a bus accident should seek medical attention immediately, even if you do not think you were seriously hurt. Many injuries are not apparent immediately. Failure to seek prompt medical attention could harm your claim. The insurance company might allege that something else caused your injury should you delay.

Filing a Bus Accident Injury Claim

Generally, the statute of limitations in Utah for filing a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the accident. However, when government entities are involved, that statute of limitations is just one year. Since many bus accidents involve government vehicles, such as municipal buses or those belonging to a public school district, time is of the essence when contacting an injury attorney in Salt Lake City.

Bus Accident Liability

Liability for bus accidents depends on the individual collision. A Salt Lake City bus accident attorney investigates the accident thoroughly to determine liability. Liable parties may include:

• Bus driver: In bus accidents, the bus driver can be held liable if the accident was due to their negligent actions, such as distracted driving or failure to comply with traffic regulations.
• Transportation company: Liability can extend to the transportation company if the bus accident was a result of inadequate maintenance, insufficient driver training, or violations of transportation regulations.
• Manufacturer: In cases where a bus accident is attributed to a vehicle defect, the manufacturer may be held liable for damages under product liability laws.
• Drivers of other vehicles: Other drivers can be held liable in bus accidents if their negligent actions, like reckless driving or violating traffic laws, contributed to the accident.
• City, county, or school district: If the bus is owned and operated by a city, county, or school district, these entities can be held liable for accidents caused by factors like poor road maintenance or inadequate supervision of school buses.

Common Carrier Laws

In bus accidents, fault is determined based on the standard of negligence, which includes proving elements like duty, breach, harm, and causation. Buses are recognized as common carriers under the law, which means they have a higher standard of care toward their passengers compared to private carriers. This standard, known as utmost care, requires bus drivers to go far beyond what a reasonable person would do under the same circumstances. Common carriers are not only limited to buses but also include other forms of public transport like trains and commercial airplanes.

Statute of Limitations in Bus Accidents

The statute of limitations for bus accidents in Salt Lake City varies depending on the nature of the claim. Generally, for personal injury claims, including those involving bus accidents, the statute of limitations is four (4) years from the date of the accident. This means that a lawsuit must be filed within four years of the date of the accident to seek compensation for injuries.

However, there are exceptions to this general rule. For instance, if the bus accident involves the Utah Transit Authority (UTA), a government entity, the statute of limitations is typically shorter, being only one (1) year. This shorter timeframe is critical to note, as claims against government entities often have specific procedural requirements and shorter deadlines.

How Valiente Mott Can Help You in Bus Accident Claims

At Valiente Mott, our bus crash attorneys in Salt Lake City combine aggressive representation with a compassionate approach. Partners Mike Valiente and Tim Mott bring a deep understanding of Utah’s legal landscape to their practice. Before founding Valiente Mott, they gained valuable experience defending large insurance companies, giving them unique insights into how these companies often unfairly treat personal injury victims. Their decision to represent personal injury victims stems from a desire to fight for those who need it most.

Our firm’s commitment to its clients is rooted in honest, open communication, treating clients like family, and ensuring they are well-informed and receiving the best treatment possible. With our tailored legal strategies, we dedicate all necessary time and resources to each case, aiming to secure maximum compensation for their clients. Our professional, knowledgeable, and caring approach ensures clients receive strong advocacy from the start to the end of their case

Contact a Bus Accident Attorney in Salt Lake City

If you were seriously injured in a bus accident due to another party’s negligence or recklessness, you need the services of the experienced attorneys at Valiente Mott. Contact us 24/7 to schedule a free personal consultation with a Salt Lake City bus accident lawyer. After reviewing your claim, we will discuss your options. There is no fee unless you receive compensation. Hablamos Español.