Bus Injuries Beyond Crashes: What Virginia Riders Need to Know

Taking the bus in Virginia is not only an affordable way to travel, but it also reduces traffic congestion and is more eco-friendly than everyone driving personal vehicles. Another benefit is safety; compared to the rate of car accidents in the U.S., bus accidents occur significantly less often.

However, depending on what happened and why, injuries sustained when getting on or riding a bus can be severe. To understand the many types of bus injuries, it’s important to look at how they’re caused.

Statistics and news reports tend to focus on bus accidents that involve other motor vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported that 18,000 people suffered non-fatal injuries in bus crashes in 2021. While there’s very little data about the other ways people are harmed by buses throughout Virginia and across the country, there are many causes of bus injuries beyond crashes, including:

• Falls from sudden stops or swerves
• Lack of vehicle maintenance or inadequate driver training
• Slips, trips and falls at bus stops and loading zones
• Collisions with pedestrians and cyclists
• Mechanical accidents, such as doors closing on passengers
• Assaults due to negligent security or supervision

All of these scenarios can cause minor to catastrophic bus injuries, and oftentimes, victims are not aware of who is liable or how to file a claim. To make matters more complicated, which laws apply for bus injury claims depends on whether it is a public bus or privately owned. Having an experienced bus injuries lawyer can ensure victims and their families get the compensation they’re entitled to.

Types of Injuries Caused by Buses

The types and severity of bus injuries vary, and there are several reasons for this. First of all, buses are large vehicles with many blind spots. When they strike a pedestrian or cyclist, the sheer size of the vehicle can cause massive trauma to the victim’s body. Spinal cord injuries, concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), broken bones, and internal damage, are some of the serious bus injuries that pedestrians and cyclists may suffer. Other injuries, including road rash and lacerations, are also common.

Then some are injured while riding a bus because there are no safety restraints; passengers sit or stand, and there’s no seatbelt holding them in place or an airbag that protects them during a sudden stop or swerve. This can result in minor injuries, such as bruises or small cuts, but falling or colliding with windows, rails, and other passengers can cause traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and other serious injuries.

Passengers are also at risk of being hurt when getting on or off a bus. A slip or trip on the steps can lead to sprains, strains, bruises, and cuts. However, in some cases, it could cause broken bones, concussions, and more. Another way passengers could suffer injuries getting off a bus is if the driver shuts the doors when they haven’t cleared the exit, leading them to be crushed.

Why You Need a Bus Injury Lawyer

There is a wide range of bus injuries that can occur, even when it was not caused by a motor vehicle accident. From cyclists who are hit by a bus and lack of vehicle maintenance, to falls while loading and sudden stops, there are numerous scenarios in which a bus injury claim may be filed. While there are many challenges associated with these cases, seeking legal help can ensure the proper steps are taken to get victims what they deserve.

Determining the owner and operator of the bus is crucial. Oftentimes, the operator is a government entity, which makes bus injury claims even more complex because there are different requirements and deadlines.

Then there is the fact that the victim must demonstrate negligence and liability. Was the bus driver distracted, or did another vehicle cause the sudden stop? Did the owner properly train the driver and maintain the vehicle? Or was someone else negligent?

Once the evidence is put together, a bus injury claim must be filed with the appropriate party in the appropriate way, and this depends on whether it was a private or public bus. Failing to file on time and meet specific criteria can not only limit the amount recovered but also completely void the claim. A bus injury attorney can not only determine who’s liable but also gather the necessary evidence to prove it and negotiate fair compensation.

Regardless of how you suffered a bus injury, you can recover more than medical bills. Time off work, pain and suffering, future medical costs, and other damages and losses are important to determine the value of a bus injury claim. But insurance companies always try to settle quickly and pressure victims to avoid paying the full amount, so it is important to know your rights and have an experienced lawyer on your side.

At Curcio Law, our Virginia bus injury attorneys will ensure all requirements are met and fight for what you’re entitled to. We’ll alleviate the stress and burden of filing a claim and negotiating with insurance companies, and if needed, pursue a lawsuit. Whether your bus injury was the result of a crash or caused by something else, we can help. Contact us online at 703-236-3366 for a free consultation.