The Ultimate Bus Accident Guide: What Accident Victims Need to Know

Every day, millions of Americans use buses to get to work, school, or even other cities. While bus transportation is usually a safe mode of travel, accidents do happen. According to a 2023 government report, nearly 6000 buses and large trucks were involved in fatal crashes in 2021. Worse, these accidents increased by nearly 20 percent from 2020 to 2021.  

After a Maryland bus accident, you may have questions. We created this guide to help people injured by buses understand their legal rights. However, bus accident claims often raise complex legal issues. So, be sure to contact a Waldorf personal injury lawyer to discuss the particulars of your case. 

Causes of Bus Accidents

Bus accidents have many causes. Some are caused by cars, bikes, or pedestrians darting into the bus’ path. Weather, such as icy roads, may also play a role. Crashes can also happen when a sign, object, or another vehicle obstructs the bus driver’s vision. 

Bus crashes are often the fault of bus drivers. When a bus driver causes a crash, the most likely reasons are:

• Distraction
• Following other vehicles too closely (tailgating)
• Rushing 
• Failing to take adequate evasive actions 
• Making illegal maneuvers 
• Taking prescription drugs 
• Misjudging distance or speed
• Driving too fast for the conditions 

Problems with the bus itself can also cause accidents or injuries. For example, faulty brakes may prevent the driver from avoiding an accident. Equipment issues may be the fault of the bus manufacturer. They could also happen because the bus owner failed to conduct regular repairs and maintenance. 

Common Injuries in Maryland Bus Accidents 

Injuries in bus accidents are similar to those in car accidents, but bus accident injuries are generally more severe. The weight and size differences between buses and cars put cars and their occupants at a serious disadvantage during collisions. Also, unlike car riders, bus passengers usually don’t wear seatbelts, which increases their risk of serious injury. 

Common injuries in Maryland bus accidents include:

• Broken bones (broken arms, legs, and ribs are common) 
• Soft tissue injuries 
• Cuts (lacerations)
• Scrapes (abrasions) 
• Bruises (contusions) 
• Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) 
• Neck injuries, including whiplash 
• Internal bleeding 
• Herniated discs 
• Spinal cord injuries 

In addition to physical injuries, bus accidents can cause emotional or mental health issues. Common conditions include posttraumatic stress disorder, (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. 

Steps to Take After a Maryland Bus Accident

The steps you should take after a bus accident are similar to those you should take after any motor vehicle accident. First, help any injured people get to safety. Then, call 911 to report the accident. After calling 911, take pictures and video of the accident scene. (Remember to take pictures of the sky and the road to document the weather and road conditions.) If you see physical injuries on your body, take pictures of those as well. 

Get the name of the bus driver and the bus company. A bus that leaves from a Greyhound station may not be owned or operated by Greyhound, so this information is important. In addition, collect the names of any people who may have witnessed the accident. 

After an accident, a lot of things will happen very quickly, and you will be pulled in many different directions at once. A Laurel personal injury lawyer can help you through the process. 

How Long Do I Have to File a Maryland Bus Accident Claim? 

If you’re injured in a Maryland bus accident, you should act quickly. The legal deadline for filing your personal injury claim in Maryland – also known as a statute of limitations –  is three years. Three years may seem like a long time, but you’ll need help dealing with insurance companies. Acting quickly will also help your attorney conduct a thorough investigation, preserve evidence, and talk to witnesses before their memories fade or they move away. So, don’t wait to contact a Laurel bus accident attorney. 

What Happens When You File a Maryland Bus Accident Claim? 

Your personal injury case will begin when your Laurel bus accident attorney files a document called a complaint. The complaint will name you as the plaintiff – the person who was injured. The complaint will also name the defendant or defendants. These are the people who injured you. In a bus accident case, the most likely defendant is the bus company. However, there may be other people or companies who contributed to your injuries. Your attorney will help you determine the best defendants for your case. 

Bus accident injuries fall within an area of law called personal injury. To win a personal injury claim against a bus company, you and your car accident lawyer will need to prove that the bus driver or bus company was careless, or as lawyers say, “negligent.” To prove negligence, you and your Laurel personal injury lawyer will need to prove that:

• The bus company had a legal duty to protect you  
• The bus company failed in that duty  
• You were injured 
• Your injuries were a direct result of the bus company’s failure to carry out its legal duties  

Your complaint will outline the reasons why you believe the bus company and the other defendants were negligent. After the complaint is filed, the defendants may make a settlement offer. In a settlement, the defendant offers the plaintiff a specific amount of money to end the case. Your personal injury lawyer can help you negotiate a fair settlement. 

Over 90 percent of personal injury cases end with a settlement, but some go to trial. If your case goes to trial, your attorney will tell you what to expect. A jury will decide issues of fact (e.g., was the light red or green) while the judge will decide legal issues. The jury will decide whether the bus company or the other defendants were negligent. It will also determine how much money, or damages, you should receive for your injuries. 

What Kind of Compensation Can Maryland Bus Accident Victims Get? 

People injured in Maryland bus accidents may be eligible for many types of compensation. One of the most important is reimbursement for past medical bills. If your injuries still require treatment, you may also receive money for this ongoing care. If your injuries caused you to miss work, you may be awarded money for your lost wages. Permanent injuries that keep you from returning to your normal job can lead to damages for your lost earning potential. 

In addition to compensating you for your financial losses, the settlement or jury may award you money for the pain and suffering caused by your injuries. Your emotional injuries, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD, may also be eligible for compensation. If the injury affected your relationships with loved ones, you may be entitled to damages for loss of consortium.

The above is just a partial list of the damages that are possible in a Maryland bus accident case. Your Laurel injury lawyer can help you determine which damages are applicable in your case. 

Why Should I Hire a Laurel Personal Injury Lawyer After a Maryland Bus Accident? 

Bus accidents can be complicated. A bus crash can be caused by many different people and factors. The bus driver, a negligent car driver, the bus manufacturer, or the government that maintains the roads might all be potential defendants in a bus accident. 

Figuring out exactly what happened can be difficult, but experienced Laurel bus accident attorneys know what to do. They will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the most appropriate defendants for your case. 

Determining fault in bus accidents can also be legally complex. Worse, some legal rules in bus accidents can make your case more difficult to win. School buses and city transit buses (like Metro) are operated by local governments. Special rules apply when someone tries to sue the government. And speaking of fault, if you played any role in causing the accident, you should know that Maryland uses a rule called “contributory negligence.” Under contributory negligence, a person who plays a role in causing an accident – even if they are only one percent responsible – cannot recover any damages. However, like all legal rules, this rule has exceptions. Your Laurel injury lawyer can help you with these issues. 

In addition to helping you navigate the complex factual and legal issues that arise in bus accidents, an experienced personal injury attorney can also: 

• Provide an accurate and fair valuation of your case
• Talk to insurance companies on your behalf to help you preserve your rights 
• Interview witnesses and collect evidence 
• Identify expert witnesses to support your claim 
• Collect evidence from the defendants  
• Negotiate a fair and adequate settlement
• If necessary, help you prepare for trial 

Injured in a Bus Accident? A Laurel Bus Accident Attorney Can Help 

If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, you have rights. You may be entitled to compensation. Hiring an experienced Laurel bus accident attorney will increase your chances of getting the compensation you deserve. If you have legal questions and want to talk to an attorney, contact the Law Office of Thomas E. Pyles. Our experienced and helpful attorneys can answer your questions. Call 301-705-5006 or use our online contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at our offices in Laurel, Waldorf, or Leonardtown.