Though only a small percentage of Americans utilize public transit, this still means that tens of thousands of Americans ride buses every day. While the nature of these accidents isn’t always straightforward, they can involve multiple parties and complicate your right to post-accident compensation.
In light of that complexity, you can meet with a Phoenix bus accident attorney after a crash to discuss how Arizona law interprets your right to recovery. The Arizona personal injury lawyers working with Zinda Law Group can help you navigate the complexities of the court system and fight for the financial support you need to restore your previous quality of life.
The Forces Behind Phoenix, AZ, Bus Accidents
Negligence plays a starring role in most Phoenix, AZ, bus accidents. That said, negligence can take on a range of forms, from a bus driver operating a bus on too little sleep or with a phone in hand to government officials refusing to repair city roads.
If you want to take up a lawsuit against the party liable for your accident, you need to bring forward proof of the negligence that you believe contributed to your losses. You cannot assert liability in the wake of an accident if you don’t have the evidence you need to make your case.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationYour Right to Take Legal Action Against Arizona Bus Drivers
In 2012, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled in the case Nunez v. Professional Transit Management of Tucson, Inc. that bus companies only need to provide reasonable care for their passengers. The plaintiff argued that bus companies owe a much greater standard of care to their passengers because of the special relationship bus companies have with their passengers.
However, the Supreme Court ruled that bus companies do not need to provide exceptional care for their passengers. It stated that bus companies just needed to provide reasonable care. For plaintiffs in bus accident lawsuits, this ruling was detrimental.
Obviously, if bus companies owed a higher standard than reasonable care to their passengers, passenger plaintiffs had a greater chance of obtaining legal victory. Nowadays, though, your right to a legal case after a bus accident hinges on your ability to argue that a driver or related party failed to provide you with reasonable care at the time of the accident.
A Personal Injury Claim Can Help Prove Your Right to a Bus Accident Lawsuit
If you want to argue that you deserve compensation after a bus accident, you need to bring forward evidence elaborating on the negligence that caused your accident. Investigating the accident scene and finding that evidence can prove challenging, though, if you’re dealing with post-accident injuries or have to return to work.
Fortunately, you can call on a bus accident attorney in Phoenix for support. Zinda Law Group’s attorneys can bring forward a range of evidence elaborating on liability after a bus accident, including the following:
- Video footage of negligence
- Statements from bystanders
- Expert witness opinions
- Social media posts
- Black box data, if applicable
We can then format this evidence and its related analysis to suit a personal injury claim. Once we have a claim asserting bus accident liability composed, we can submit it to a civil judge and advocate for your right to summon a liable party to civil court for conversations about your right to compensation.
Zinda Law Group can do this even in the face of the Nunez v. Professional Transit Management of Tucson, Inc. ruling, so long as we can find the evidence to prove that an applicable party violated your right to reasonable care. You can discuss the nature of your recent accident and our means to help you recover during an initial case consultation.
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationWhen to Call a Phoenix, AZ, Bus Accident Lawyer
Every state has a statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit. In Arizona, the statute of limitations states that a plaintiff has two years to file a lawsuit for a personal injury. This means that after a bus accident, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the company. However, this only applies to private bus companies.
Exceptions to Arizona’s Personal Injury Statute of Limitations
If a public entity or public employee caused your injury, there are different rules involved. For instance, if you were injured because a Valley Metro bus driver was negligent, you must first file a claim with the public entity that was responsible for Valley Metro within 180 days. In the claim, you must include specific facts that can provide a basis for your claim.
You must also include a specific amount that you feel that you are entitled to. If your injury was caused by a public entity and you fail to file a claim within 180 days, you may lose your opportunity to receive compensation.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
Standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to answer in your time of need.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationLet Zinda Law Represent Your Best Interests
The experienced Phoenix attorneys at Zinda Law Group may be able to help you if you have been injured in a bus accident. After an accident, you shouldn’t have to worry about affording legal representation, which is why we work on a contingency fee basis. You don’t owe us anything unless we win your case. That’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.
You can contact our office today to schedule a case evaluation with our tried and tested team. Let’s fight for your right to bus accident compensation together.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
