A bus accident can turn your life upside down. Your insurance company wants to settle your claim for as little as possible. Your medical bills are piling up. You may face a long and painful recovery. Where can you turn for help?

With Ladah Law Firm, PLLC, you will have a strong advocate by your side. Whether you were injured in a Clark County bus accident, hit by a car, or a truck, our team is standing by, ready to help. We help victims of bus accidents, car accidents and other acts of negligence get the compensation and medical care they deserve. If you or a loved one has been in a bus accident, contact our law firm or call Ladah Law Firm now to get your free consultation set up.

Bus Accident Statistics

Unfortunately, bus accidents remain a serious public safety problem. Due to their immense size, and large passenger loads, when these types of accidents do occur, the damages are often especially devastating. According to data collected and provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), hundreds of people are killed in bus accidents every year, with thousands more suffering very serious injuries.

In the most recently released Nevada Traffic Crashes report, the Nevada Department of Transportation determined that there were more than 550 bus crashes in the state in 2010, leading to at least 147 serious injuries and several fatalities.

National School Bus Crash Injury Statistics 2012-2021

School bus accidents are just one segment of bus-related vehicles and injuries from this segment alone were 50% higher than pre-pandemic numbers of 4,800 in 2020. However, a school bus accident is particularly serious since it involves young children. In the vast majority of these cases, the at-fault driver is the bus driver.

It is important to note that in the State of Nevada, there is a 2-year statute of limitations for filing a bus accident claim. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Las Vegas bus crash, act quickly and contact us for a free consultation to find out if you still have time to file a claim.

Common Bus Accidents in Las Vegas

Airport Shuttle Bus Accidents

Las Vegas is one of the biggest tourist cities in the nation. As such, shuttle services from the airport to hotels and other tourist attractions are a huge method of transportation. Limousines, car services, shuttles, vans, and buses are typically convenient and cheap (if not free) methods that countless tourists use every year. That said, when drivers are negligent, these otherwise efficient methods of transportation can become injurious, and even deadly.

If you or a loved one has suffered severe injuries on any type of airport shuttle, take the opportunity to comprehend your legal rights and potential entitlements. Personal injury attorney Ramzy Ladah is ready to apply his extensive expertise to address any airport shuttle bus accident.

RTC and Tour Bus Accidents

Every year, millions of commuters rely on Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) buses in Las Vegas for their daily travel needs. Similarly, countless tourists opt for tour buses to explore the city’s attractions. While these modes of transportation are typically convenient, cost-effective, and efficient, a bus driver often faces tight schedules, sometimes prioritizing timeliness over safety.

Moreover, Las Vegas sees a high volume of taxis, shuttles, and potentially distracted drivers, potentially creating hazardous conditions for both residents and visitors. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in an RTC or tour bus accident, our team at Ladah Law Firm, PLLC, is here to assist you. With our extensive expertise, we can help accident victims secure the compensation they deserve in cases involving RTC or tour bus accidents.

Whether you’re a local commuter or a tourist, we’re dedicated to protecting your rights and seeking the compensation you need.

Charter Bus Accidents

Large motor vehicles like charter buses in Las Vegas are used to transport large groups of people, usually on a predetermined basis. Charter buses are hired for particular uses and destinations, as opposed to regular public transportation buses, which have set routes and schedules.  A charter bus accident can be minor or catastrophic as these crashes can leave victims with serious injuries or possibly cause fatalities.

School Bus Accidents

The Clark County School District has 380 schools and that allows numerous school bus drivers to occupy roads Monday through Friday.  Any collision or incident involving school buses, usually while it is transporting students to or from school, or during school-related activities, is referred to as a school bus accident. The severity of these accidents can vary, from small fender-benders to major collisions that cause severe injuries to anyone riding a school bus.

Transportation Company Accidents

The large and busy transportation industry in Southern Nevada is a major culprit of injuries to tourists and locals. Often these large transportation companies fail to follow regulations and break the law to make an extra buck. Whether the accident was caused by a bus or a large commercial truck, the big transportation companies must be held fully accountable for the tremendous damage caused by their negligence.

Unfortunately, low standards for safety compromised for the sake of extra money can result in serious injuries to innocent individuals. At Ladah Law Firm, PLLC Attorney Ramzy Ladah works hard to make these large transportation companies pay for their low standards. Countless laws and regulations are dictating how these companies must operate and what standards they must employ.

These laws and regulations are in place for the safety of the public, including tourists and residents alike. When a bus company breaks the law resulting in injuries to innocent people, they are liable for both compensatory damages and punitive damages.

You Must Act Quickly Following an Accident

There is no time to waste after a bus accident. First, you must realize that evidence can begin to disappear quickly. To preserve your ability to obtain compensation, you should obtain legal representation from a reputable bus accident attorney as soon as possible. Our firm will investigate the accident and document all of the losses you have suffered for inclusion in our compensation demand.

This simple fact is, that by taking quick action to get a lawyer involved, you will dramatically increase your chances of recovering fair compensation. Beyond securing evidence, you also need to consider the fact that you have a legal time limit to take legal action. Under the Nevada Statute of Limitations, you generally only have two years to initiate your bus accident injury claim.

While there are extensions available in some limited cases, the best practice to protect your rights is to get your bus accident case moving as soon as possible.

Here are some steps you should take if you were involved in a bus accident in the Las Vegas area:

  1. Make sure to check your body and see if you have suffered any injuries from your bus accident.
  2. If you can, take pictures or videos of the accident scene as this will be beneficial when you are speaking with insurance companies or an attorney later on down the road.
  3. Contact the police department to let them know of the accident.  Make sure to get a copy of the police report as well.
  4. Get medical attention if you have been injured and make sure to save all documentation.
  5. Contact an experienced attorney who is familiar with handling bus accident cases in Las Vegas.

How to get to us From Las Vegas:

Why Do Las Vegas Bus Accidents Occur?

Bus accidents happen for a wide variety of different reasons. Most accidents could have been prevented had proper care been taken. Some of the most common causes of accidents include:

  • Speeding/recklessness;
  • Untrained bus drivers;
  • Negligent maintenance;
  • Failure to obey traffic signals
  • Passenger slip-and-falls;
  • Defective vehicle components;
  • Substandard seating arrangements;
  • Bus drivers overpacking vehicles; and
  • Failing to properly strap in a wheelchair and handicapped passenger.

What Are Some Common Bus Accident Injuries a Person Can Suffer?

After a Las Vegas bus accident, it’s crucial to get medical help, even if the injuries seem minor at first. This is because some injuries might not be noticeable right away but can get worse over time. In addition, obtaining legal counsel and keeping track of injuries might be essential to pursue financial compensation for lost wages and other accident-related damages.

A bus accident can result in a wide range of injuries for both passengers and pedestrians, depending on the severity of the collision and other factors. Some of the most common injuries are:

  • Cuts and bruises
  • Whiplash
  • Head injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Internal bleeding
  • Spinal injuries
  • Psychological damage
  • Soft tissue damage

Bus Accident Liability in Nevada

The finest Las Vegas bus accident lawyers understand that, under Nevada law, parties responsible for an accident can be legally accountable for ensuing damages. Nevada employs the comparative negligence standard (NRS 41.141) to ascertain fault and apportion liability.

First, to establish fault in a bus accident in Las Vegas, you must prove negligence. In the most simple terms, negligence is the failure to take due care in a given situation. What constitutes ‘due care’ will always depend on the specific circumstances of the case in question. That being said, it is important to note that bus companies are held to an extremely high standard.

Indeed, buses, as common carriers, have heightened legal duties to protect the safety of their passengers as well as all other drivers and pedestrians on the road. Further, since Nevada is a ‘comparative’ negligence jurisdiction, multiple parties can split the liability for bus accident injuries resulting from the same accident. Liability may be apportioned in various manners. For instance, in some situations, both a bus company and a bus manufacturer may share legal responsibility for an accident.

In other cases, a bus company and a third-party driver might split the liability for a crash. It is also possible for victims to split some of the blame for their accident. If you are held partially responsible for your crash, then your recovery will be reduced accordingly.

This makes it imperative that you work with an experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer who can protect you from any unfair share of the fault.

What do Nevada Bus Drivers Owe Their Passengers and Others Using Nevada Roads?

1. Duty of Care Towards Passengers and Road Users

Drivers on Nevada roads owe a fundamental duty of care to their passengers and all other road users. This duty extends to ensuring the safety of everyone sharing the road, including pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists. Drivers are expected to operate their vehicles responsibly, obey traffic laws, and exercise caution to prevent accidents.

This duty of care requires drivers to remain attentive, avoid distractions, and refrain from engaging in reckless or negligent behaviors that could put others at risk.

2. Responsibility to Follow Traffic Laws and Regulations

One of the primary obligations that drivers owe to their passengers and fellow road users is the responsibility to follow all traffic laws and regulations. This includes obeying speed limits, adhering to traffic signals and signs, using turn signals appropriately, and yielding the right of way when required. These rules are designed to maintain order and safety on the roads, and drivers must adhere to them to prevent accidents and protect the well-being of everyone using Nevada’s roadways.

3. Duty to Maintain a Safe Vehicle

Drivers have to maintain their vehicles in a safe and roadworthy condition. This includes regular maintenance checks, and ensuring that brakes, lights, tires, and other essential components are in good working order. Neglecting vehicle maintenance can lead to mechanical failures and accidents that could harm passengers and others on the road.

Drivers must also ensure that their vehicles are properly registered and insured, as required by Nevada law, to protect both themselves and those they share the road with.

4. Duty to Exercise Caution in Hazardous Conditions

Nevada’s diverse climate and terrain can present challenging driving conditions, from heavy rains and snow to mountainous regions with winding roads. Drivers owe it to their passengers and other road users to exercise caution and adapt their driving to the prevailing conditions. This may include reducing speed, using appropriate tires for adverse weather, and maintaining a safe following distance.

Neglecting to adjust driving behavior in hazardous conditions can lead to accidents that result in injury or even loss of life. It is a driver’s responsibility to recognize these conditions and act accordingly to protect everyone on the road.

Three Things You Need to Know About Insurance Companies

In accident claims, bus companies are almost always represented by their insurers. For accident victims, this means that you will need to be ready to deal with the company’s insurance adjusters. Our team compiled the top three essentials you must understand before conversing with insurance company representatives.

Insurers are not on your side: Unfortunately, insurance companies are not neutral parties. This means that victims cannot rely on them for guidance through the extremely complex Nevada accident claims process. Ultimately, the big insurance companies are only looking out for their bottom line. If they can find a way to limit your settlement offer, they will take it.

Insurance adjusters want you to talk: Insurance adjusters aim to prompt accident victims to discuss their accident. Major insurance companies heavily train their representatives for amiable phone interactions. Maintain vigilance consistently. Insurance adjusters are looking for information that they can use against you. Never admit fault, even partial fault, for an accident.

Further, you should never give your opinion about the wreck or your medical recovery. Say as little as possible. Better yet, let your attorney do the talking.

You should not sign anything without attorney approval: Finally, you should not sign any documents without letting your Las Vegas bus accident attorneys review them. This includes both final settlement agreements as well as a release for your medical records. Insurance companies might push you to sign a document under the guise of ‘standard procedure,’ but it’s not obligatory.

The Fremont East Self-Driving Bus

According to reporting from the Las Vegas Sun, Mayor Carolyn Goodman was on board for the first, history-making self-driving bus test run down Fremont Street. The technological achievement of this project cannot be overstated. The autonomous bus was the first to ever successfully operate on a U.S. public road.

The bus can travel up to 27 miles per hour, though during testing it was limited to a speed of 12 miles per hour. The self-driving bus ran along East Fremont Street, three blocks in total, from Las Vegas Boulevard to Eighth Street. Carrying up to 12 passengers at a time, this free shuttle bus was mixed in with normal street traffic.

While just a limited test run, there is little doubt that autonomous bus projects are likely to expand significantly in Southern Nevada in the coming years. Vegas city officials have made public statements touting the benefits of self-driving public transportation options.

Will Self-Driving Buses Make Our Roads Safer?

This is the question industry safety experts (including our firm) will be watching closely. Theoretically, self-driving buses (and cars) could make our city streets much safer. Bus accidents remain a major safety problem. According to data provided by the Nevada Department of Transportation, there are more than 500 major bus collisions in the state every year.

Bus driver error is the most common cause of these accidents. Driver error is responsible for the vast majority of all highway accidents. Some studies estimate that 95 percent of auto accidents are caused by a driver’s mistake. Therefore, if done properly, self-driving buses may be able to eliminate many of these errors, thereby dramatically reducing accidents.

That being said, we are still very early in the development of autonomous vehicles. There is no guarantee that self-driving buses will make fewer mistakes than a human bus driver. Indeed, it could be quite the opposite. If the large companies responsible for manufacturing self-driving buses fail to put the proper resources into safety and accident prevention, the number of bus accidents could rise.

It is critically important that proper attention is given to this issue as autonomous vehicle testing continues and the use of self-driving vehicles expands.

How To Find The Right Las Vegas Bus Accident Lawyers

When you’ve been involved in a bus accident in Las Vegas, finding the right legal representation is crucial to ensure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve. To make an informed choice, follow these guidelines on how to choose an experienced Las Vegas bus accident lawyer.

First and foremost, seek out an experienced Las Vegas bus accident lawyer who specializes in handling bus accident cases. This expertise is vital, as these cases can be complex and require an in-depth understanding of the specific regulations and nuances that pertain to bus accidents. An experienced bus accident attorney will know how to navigate the intricacies of these cases effectively.

Additionally, consider the track record of the bus accident lawyer you’re considering. Look for a Las Vegas bus accident lawyer with a proven history of successfully representing injured victims in bus crashes. This can be a strong indicator of their ability to secure favorable outcomes for your bus accident case.

It’s also essential to assess the bus accident lawyer’s familiarity with the local transportation system. Las Vegas has a significant public transportation network, including RTC Transit buses and school buses. A Las Vegas bus accident lawyer who understands the specific challenges posed by these types of vehicles and their drivers can provide you with valuable insights and a strategic advantage when seeking compensation for bus accident injuries suffered in an accident in Las Vegas.

When selecting a Las Vegas bus accident lawyer, take the time to review client testimonials and online reviews. Feedback from previous bus crash victims can provide you with valuable insights into their experiences and the attorney’s ability to deliver results. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the attorney’s past clients if you have questions or concerns.

Finally, schedule a consultation with the Vegas bus accident attorney you’re considering. Assess the lawyer’s communication, style, and responsiveness to determine your comfort level and case compatibility. Your choice is crucial. Let the experienced bus accident attorneys at Ladah Law help you seek compensation for your injuries.

Compensation Available for Bus Accident Victims

In Nevada, accident victims can pursue compensation for the full value of their damages. Bus crash victims deserve compensation for economic and intangible losses, but minor errors or delays can impact the settlement. Our firm will work tirelessly to build a strong case that obtains maximum compensation for you.

Specifically, we may be able to help you seek recovery for:

  • All of your medical bills, including any costs related to rehabilitation and possible future medical expenses
  • Short-term or Long-term disability
  • Lost income, both in the form of lost wages and diminished earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering and mental anguish
  • Severe physical trauma such as disfigurement or loss of limb.
  • Loss of life enjoyment and
  • Wrongful death damages

Additionally, in some limited cases, punitive damages might be available. The legal system may grant punitive damages to penalize a company for “malicious conduct” or “conscious disregard” for public safety.

You Can Afford Qualified Legal Representation For Your Bus Accident Injuries

Bus accident victims often worry that hiring an attorney to handle their claims will be too expensive. This common misconception is based on a false premise. Ladah Law Firm’s skilled Las Vegas bus accident attorneys manage personal injury claims exclusively through contingency fee agreements. Here is what that means for you:

  • No out-of-pocket costs;
  • No hourly billing; and
  • If we do not win your case, we do not get paid.

We confidently manage Las Vegas bus accident cases, bearing financial risks, and expenses, and earning legal fees from settlements or verdicts.

Were You Injured in a Las Vegas Bus Accident? Contact Us Now For Help!

Our law firm is ready and willing to help. At Ladah Law Firm, we have extensive experience when it comes to handling a bus accident claim in Las Vegas. If you or your loved one was in an accident, entrust an experienced bus accident lawyer at Ladah Law Firm to secure your legal rights.

We will act quickly to help you obtain a full recovery for your current and future medical needs. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

Common Bus Accident FAQs