You do not want to be a passenger when a bus is involved in an accident. Nor do you want to be inside the vehicle that the bus hits, as the average city bus weighs between 25,000 and 40,000 pounds. Just based on the sheer weight of the bus, the results of a crash can be catastrophic, and you may need a Colorado Springs bus accident lawyer for help.
The team of lawyers at Zinda Law Group represents those impacted by bus accidents by negotiating with insurance companies, building a strong case, and bringing cases to court if needed.
If you need help or have any questions regarding your legal rights after your bus accident, we are here to assist you with your claim. Contact us to learn how our Colorado bus accident lawyers can assist accident victims in gaining financial compensation today.
Why Are Buses So Dangerous?
Buses are far larger than most other vehicles on the road, which means they are more likely to cause catastrophic bus collisions. Let’s get into some of the dangers of buses.
Blindspot Risks
Each bus type will have its own degree of visibility. Things affecting visibility include not only the number of windows on the bus but also the number of passengers that it is carrying at any one time.
Transit buses are usually about 40 feet long so that they can carry many passengers. One problem is that there are rarely enough seats for everyone riding, so passengers sometimes have to stand, obstructing the driver’s view. If you’ve been burdened by medical expenses after a bus crash, contact our legal team.
Overcrowding
There is a high demand for public transportation in Colorado Springs, and urban buses are usually very crowded in rush hour during a typical work week. Imagine that an accident occurs with all those people on the bus. When accidents occur in this type of scenario, the accident injuries are often severe.
Lack of Restraints
The safety mechanisms on the bus vary from bus to bus and from model to model. Ordinary passenger vehicles have safety belts and other forms of restraints for their passengers.
Increased Force at Impact
The large size of the bus leads to greater force at impact. As a result, injuries sustained by accident victims in the hit vehicle are often severe and more likely to result in fatalities. If you’ve been burdened with medical bills after a bus accident, contact Zinda Law Group to begin your personal injury lawsuit.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationProving Negligence in a Colorado Springs Bus Accident Claim
The standard that is most likely to be applied in a bus accident case is the standard of negligence. Negligence refers to someone having ought to be aware of an unjustifiable risk but fails to act in a way that recognizes the risk. In the context of a bus accident, some examples include:
- Ignoring traffic signals
- Texting while driving
- Drunk driving
- Drowsy driving
- Reckless driving
- Deviating from established bus routes
- Speeding
When drivers act negligently, they are said to have lacked ordinary due care. To hold a defendant liable for bus driver negligence in a personal injury claim, the plaintiff must establish the following elements by a preponderance of the evidence:
- The defendant owed a duty to the plaintiff to conform to a specific standard of care.
- The responsible party breached that duty or legal responsibility.
- The negligent party was the actual and proximate cause of the plaintiff’s harm.
- The victim suffered damages because of the motor vehicle accident.
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationContact Us for Help With Your Bus Accident Claim
At Zinda Law Group, our experienced team of lawyers focuses on protecting your rights, communicating with insurance companies, and preparing your case after an accident.
A Colorado Springs bus accident attorney can help you and your family pursue maximum compensation for any damages you have incurred. We’ve helped many of our clients receive multi-million-dollar settlements for motor vehicle accidents and are ready to help you receive the funds you’re owed.
A personal injury attorney from our firm would be honored to help you with your personal injury claim. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a bus accident in Colorado Springs, contact us to schedule a free consultation with us today.
CASE RESULTS
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 ConsultationHow do Bus Accidents Happen in Colorado?
According to crash statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Colorado had nearly 2,000 bus crashes that resulted in over 642 injuries and 88 deaths in 2020. These crashes could have occurred for a myriad of reasons.
Some road accidents involve a school bus or a municipal bus operated by the city of Colorado Springs. Depending on the circumstances, tracking down the parties responsible for a particular bus crash might be difficult.
Neglected Maintenance
Buses have a heavy workload that requires recurring maintenance and parts repair. The bus driver may or may not be able to tell if something is wrong with the bus or if it is not operating normally. To this point, part of a passenger’s safety is in the hands of the driver, who could be operating the bus negligently.
Bus service accidents are often complicated, as many people sustain catastrophic injuries at once. Having a Colorado Springs bus accident attorney who is experienced with the various circumstances in which these crashes occur is extremely valuable. In determining liability after a bus accident, the facts of the case matter.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving has nearly become a habit amongst casual drivers, and it’s not hard to imagine a bus driver engaging in the same behavior. Drivers may become distracted by passengers, by using their phones, or by reaching for items that they dropped.
In any case, the driver diverts their attention when they should be focused on operating the vehicle. When a bus driver becomes distracted, the lives of the passengers are at stake.
Fatigued Driving
The Colorado Department of Public Safety recognizes fatigued driving as a prohibited practice while driving a commercial motor vehicle. School bus drivers and other bus drivers have long days in which they travel the same route continuously. They must take breaks from driving, or else they may become drowsy or fatigued.
The driver’s alertness to changing road conditions and ability to react become impaired when they are feeling fatigued or suffering from an illness. Drivers who begin to feel this way should take a break or not get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.
Congested Roadways
In more densely populated areas of the Colorado Springs metropolitan area, three factors are at play: narrow roadways, pedestrians, and traffic. The bus size makes it difficult for drivers to navigate through these areas. The narrow roadways make it difficult for buses to turn without hitting something.
Inclement Weather
Inclement weather is a leading cause of road accidents in the United States. A large bus requires extra caution when being operated in poor weather conditions.
Bus drivers must take into consideration the state of the weather and drive accordingly. For example, if the bus driver knows the roads are slick because it rained earlier in the day, they may be acting negligently when they fail to increase their stopping distances and rear-end a car at an intersection.
Speeding
As stated, bus drivers must continually consider that buses weigh far more than passenger vehicles. By driving over the speed limit, the driver is ignoring laws put in place that keep everyone safe on the roadway. Speeding may result in the driver losing control of the vehicle or prevent them from stopping in time.
Cole Gumm
Attorney
We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationProving Negligence in a Colorado Springs Bus Accident Claim
The standard that is most likely to be applied in a bus accident case is the standard of negligence. Negligence refers to someone having ought to be aware of an unjustifiable risk but fails to act in a way that recognizes the risk. In the context of a bus accident, some examples include:
- Ignoring traffic signals
- Texting while driving
- Drunk driving
- Drowsy driving
- Reckless driving
- Deviating from established bus routes
- Speeding
When drivers act negligently, they are said to have lacked ordinary due care. To hold a defendant liable for bus driver negligence in a personal injury claim, the plaintiff must establish the following elements by a preponderance of the evidence:
- The defendant owed a duty to the plaintiff to conform to a specific standard of care.
- The responsible party breached that duty or legal responsibility.
- The negligent party was the actual and proximate cause of the plaintiff’s harm.
- The victim suffered damages because of the motor vehicle accident.
Contact Us for Help With Your Bus Accident Claim
At Zinda Law Group, our experienced team of lawyers focuses on protecting your rights, communicating with insurance companies, and preparing your case after an accident.
A Colorado Springs bus accident attorney can help you and your family pursue maximum compensation for any damages you have incurred. We’ve helped many of our clients receive multi-million-dollar settlements for motor vehicle accidents and are ready to help you receive the funds you’re owed.
A personal injury attorney from our firm would be honored to help you with your personal injury claim. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a bus accident in Colorado Springs, contact us to schedule a free consultation with us today.
Our Awards
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA BY THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (2016-2020)
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA (2009, 2011-2012, 2014-2021), & NEIL SOLOMON (2020-2021)
AWARDED TO JACK ZINDA (2016-2020)
LIFETIME MEMBERS JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
