Las Vegas Bus Accident Lawyer

How to Sue a Bus Company in Nevada?

If a bus company is responsible for your injuries and damages, you must understand how to correctly sue the bus company to avoid any complications with your personal injury claim.

Identify the Bus Company Type (Public or Private)

Before filing a bus accident injury claim, you must learn whether the bus company you plan to file against is publicly or privately owned, as your claim process will differ based on that factor.

Common bus company types include:

• Private Bus companies (Greyhound, Megabus)
• Public Bus Groups (Las Vegas RTC)
• Public School District Buses (CCSD buses)
• Bus Maintenance Companies (Typically a private third party)

Gather Evidence

To build a strong case, you'll need to gather substantial evidence, especially if you have a complex bus accident case.

Key evidence you should prioritize includes:

• Police reports
• Photos and videos of the accident scene
• In bus security camera footage
• Witness statements

Las Vegas bus accident attorneys can help you gather and organize evidence, which is a good option to consider if you are worried about evidence collection.

File a Notice of Claim (Only for Public Bus Accidents)

If your bus was operated by the Las Vegas RTC or any other public transportation group, you must file a formal notice of claim as stated under NRS 41.036.

This formal notice of claim must be filed with the Nevada Attorney General within 2 years after the bus accident.

Prove Negligence

To win your personal injury claim, you must prove that the bus driver, company, or manufacturer was negligent in their actions.

Common forms of negligence in Nevada bus accident cases include:

• Distracted driving
• Reckless driving
• Drunk driving
• Bus maintenance failures
• Speeding

File the Lawsuit Against the Bus Company

Once negligence has been established and your damages calculated, your Las Vegas bus accident attorney will file a lawsuit against the bus company with the Nevada courts' civil division.

After a lawsuit is filed, your case can be settled through negotiations or a court trial.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Las Vegas

Similar to other types of motor vehicle accidents, bus accidents occur for various reasons, all of which are important to understand to prevent further crashes.

Common causes of bus accidents in Las Vegas include:

1. Bus Driver Negligence or Error: Distracted driving, speeding, fatigued driving, or failing to yield could be considered forms of bus driver negligence.
2. Inadequate Driving Training: Nevada law requires bus drivers to undergo specific training and obtain a CDL passenger endorsement license to avoid issues with undertrained bus operators.
3. Bus Malfunctions: Bus malfunctions in the brakes, steering, or tires could create dangerous situations.
4. Weather Conditions: Poor weather conditions, like rain or snow, can increase a bus's braking distance and reduce visibility.
5. Improper Loading: Overloading or improperly loading a bus can create weight distribution issues that affect the vehicle's stability.
6. Other Drivers: Not all bus crashes result from negligent bus drivers, as some crashes are caused by other drivers acting recklessly.

Who Can Be Liable for My Bus Accident Injuries and Damages

Nevada's modified comparative fault law allows multiple parties to share fault in your Las Vegas bus accident claim.

Understanding the potentially liable parties is a necessary first step to determining and proving liability.

Bus Driver

While technically, bus drivers are typically not held personally liable for a bus accident due to the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, they can still be named a liable party in a lawsuit if their actions were negligent.

However, if a bus driver was doing actions outside the scope of their employment during the accident, they may not be protected by vicarious liability and may be held personally responsible for the crash.

Bus Company or Agency

Public or private bus companies can be held responsible for the injuries and damages that occur in their buses.

Commonly, bus companies are held liable due to:

• The negligent actions of their driver
• Failure to maintain buses
• Not meeting proper safety regulations

Another Driver

If another driver, other than the bus driver, partially or fully caused the bus accident, they could be liable.

In the case that another driver is at fault, you'll have to bring a personal injury lawsuit against them and their insurance company.

Bus Manufacturer or Maintenance Personnel

If a defective part or poor maintenance caused the bus accident, the bus manufacturer or maintenance could be held liable and face responsibility.

How Much Is My Bus Accident Claim Worth

Determining the value of your claim can be difficult as its worth is based on factors such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and insurance policy limits.

The best way to learn how much your bus accident claim is worth for free is to contact our team of legal professionals and schedule a free case review.