School bus accidents killed 104 people nationwide in 2022, according to the National Safety Council.
Collisions involving school buses are just one of many types of bus accidents that can occur. In Denver, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) Bus Service operates more than 10,000 stops across eight counties and accidents can occur involving these buses as well. There are also private buses to consider, such as tour buses.
When a bus accident happens, the case is often complicated because you’ll need to determine who to hold accountable — whether you were a passenger on the bus and injured, or a pedestrian or occupant of another vehicle involved in the bus crash.
Dulin McQuinn Young has the knowledge and experience necessary to represent clients facing these complex claims. Our firm has recovered millions in compensation through settlements and through more than 300 jury trials. We’ve been recognized as 2023 SuperLawyers and earned an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Ratings. Our car accident lawyers also bring decades of collective experience to the table with a solid track record of being tough client advocates.
To find out more about how our firm can help you, give us a call today at (303) 246-1111 to speak with a Denver bus accident lawyer during a free consultation.
Types of Denver Bus Accidents
Denver bus accidents involve many different kinds of buses including:
- School buses
- Regional Transportation District buses
- Private tour buses
Because buses are such large vehicles, the damage resulting from these collisions is often much more serious than car accidents alone. Pedestrians, bicycle riders, and drivers in other vehicles all face a significant chance of serious or even fatal injuries due to the force of the impact.
Bus passengers are also at risk as buses are not equipped with the same types of seat belts, airbags, and other safety equipment found in standard motor vehicles. The more serious the injuries, the more crucial it is to work with a Denver bus accident attorney to recover full compensation for any resulting loss.
Regional Transportation District (RTD) Bus Accidents
Regional Transport District offers more than 100 local, regional, and SkyRide bus routes. System maps available online demonstrate many stops throughout Denver and surrounding areas.
Each year, an estimated 3.08 million people use the public transportation provided by RTD. Those individuals are located within 2,342 square miles and spread across 30 municipalities. With so many buses spanning so much of Denver, crashes with RTD are among the most likely types of bus accidents residents and visitors could become involved in. These types of accident claims can be especially complicated because RTD is a government entity created by the Colorado General Assembly in 1969.
Special rules apply when pursuing claims against the government including a requirement to submit prompt written notice to the government agency running the bus system.
Causes of Bus Accidents in Denver
Bus accidents have many potential causes. While drivers are typically expected to have a commercial license and special training, they still sometimes make mistakes or careless choices behind the wheel. Here are some common causes of bus accidents that could give rise to a claim for damages.
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Ignoring road signs or traffic signals
- Road rage
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Driving impaired
- Reckless driving
These are just some of the many ways in which a bus driver could behave in a way that increases crash risk.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Bus Accidents in Colorado?
Bus companies are classified as common carriers under Colorado law, which is a designation applied to companies in the business of transporting people or freight. Common carriers are considered to be public utility companies and owe a higher duty of safety and care to passengers and other vehicles on the road, which can make it easier to pursue a claim for compensation after a bus crash.
When you are injured in a bus accident that was the fault of a bus driver who failed to fulfill their duty of care, you can typically pursue a claim against the company or entity that employs the driver. This can make it easier to get compensation since the company likely has more insurance coverage available to provide full recovery for losses.
Holding the Government Accountable After a Bus Crash
In many cases, including when you are involved in a bus crash with a public school or public transportation operator, the government is the defendant who you’ll need to hold accountable for compensating you
Colorado Code Section 24-10-109 imposes special requirements for claims brought against governmental entities. The law states:
“Any person claiming to have suffered an injury by a public entity or by an employee thereof while in the course of such employment, whether or not by a willful and wanton act or omission, shall file a written notice as provided in this section within one hundred eighty-two days after the date of the discovery of the injury, regardless of whether the person then knew all of the elements of a claim or of a cause of action for such injury. Compliance with the provisions of this section shall be a jurisdictional prerequisite to any action brought under the provisions of this article, and failure of compliance shall forever bar any such action.”
Essentially, this means that if you do not provide the required notice of the incident, you will lose your right to pursue a damage claim against the government. You must provide certain specific facts when you provide this notice. The statute requires you to state:
- Your name and address and the name and address of your lawyer
- A short statement of the basic facts of the claim including when and where it took place and the circumstances of the incident
- The name and contact details of any public employees who you know to be involved, if you have this information
- A short statement detailing the nature and extent of injuries you claim to have experienced
- A statement of the amount of monetary damages you are requesting
There are also limits on the amount of compensation you can receive from a public entity after a Denver bus accident.
Getting Legal Help from a Denver Bus Accident Lawyer
Bus accident claims are complicated because of the severity of injuries often involved, as well as the added complexities of making claims against the government if you were harmed by a public bus driver. Whether you were in an accident with an RTD bus or any other type of bus in Colorado, you need legal help.
The Denver bus accident lawyers at Dulin McQuinn Young can provide the help you need with these tough cases. Give us a call today at (303) 246-1111 to schedule your free consultation and learn about the help and support our personal injury lawyers can offer.