Portland Bus Accident Lawyer

Recovering from a bus accident is not easy. As Portland injury attorneys, we know the last thing you want to think about is hiring a lawyer after such an ordeal. It might seem easier to deal with insurance companies yourself, but you may discover the reality of doing this to be the opposite. Don’t sell yourself short when another person’s carelessness is the reason you are in physical pain. At DuBois Law Group, our Portland bus accident injury lawyers can help you decide what you should do next. We have years of experience successfully helping injured people in Oregon, including people who suffer serious injuries in bus-related accidents. To learn how our Portland bus accident attorneys can help you, call (503)-486-3618.

Why Choose A Portland Bus Accident Attorney From DuBois Law Group?

• Our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for injured Portland residents. We are dedicated to achieving maximum compensation.
• We operate a separate medical department staffed by healthcare professionals to help our clients access the treatment they need.
• Our firm charges a contingency fee for maximum affordability. If we do not secure compensation in your case, you will not be charged legal fees.

Portland Bus Accident Injuries

Most of us don’t think twice about getting on a bus. It’s affordable, it’s easy, and sometimes, it’s our only option for getting around. When we sign that permission slip for our child to take the bus on a field trip, we trust the bus driver will drive safely. But what happens when a bus driver is careless or sleep-deprived? What happens when a bus company doesn’t check buses for necessary repairs or doesn’t properly train a bus driver? We don’t want to think about these things, but they do happen.

Help us prevent these accidents by holding the drivers and companies accountable. Portland bus accidents occur in an instant. Bus crashes threaten the lives and wellbeing of not only its many occupants, which often include young children, but also endanger other motorists on the road, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

If you were a pedestrian and were struck by a bus, please reach out to our pedestrian accident attorneys in Portland today.

What Are Some Causes of Bus Accidents in Portland?

There are many reasons why an Oregon bus crash occurs. While all bus drivers require training before getting behind the wheel, the screening process is often not as thorough as it should be. As a result, a bus driver may have a record of speeding or driving under the influence that goes unnoticed. Also, as some recent accidents show, some school districts are in desperate need of bus drivers and overlook proper training requirements. Other common causes of bus accidents in Oregon include:

• Driver fatigue
• Speeding
• Failure to drive safely in bad weather conditions
• Failure to follow traffic laws, such as yielding to right-of-way traffic
• Improper bus maintenance
• Unsafe or poorly designed roadway

Other drivers on the road can also drive carelessly, which can result in an Oregon bus accident.

What Are The Different Types of Portland Bus Accidents?

According to a study conducted in 2009 by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, every year in the United States, approximately 50 people die in accidents that involve either tour, Greyhound or Metro buses, with about 1,000 people injured in these crashes. On an annual basis, these types of bus accidents account for about five percent of the nation’s truck and bus fatalities.

Sadly, accidents involving school buses carrying children in the U.S. happen more frequently than we would like to believe. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 1,564 people have died in school bus accidents since 1998. This results in an average of about 142 school bus accident-related deaths every year.

There are other types of bus accidents, which include:

• Bus-car crash
• Bus-pedestrian collision
• Charter bus crash
• Church bus accident
• Greyhound bus accident
• Bus rollover accident
• Tour bus collision

Who Is Liable for an Oregon Bus Accident?

Much like car accidents in Portland, multiple parties may be liable for a bus accident, depending on the circumstances surrounding the collision as well as the employment status of the driver. However,  no matter what happens, you want an accident attorney in Portland on your side.

• The bus driver: If the driver of the bus committed a negligent act that led to the collision, he or she is liable for the accident.
• The bus company: A private bus company is liable for any accidents that its employees cause while performing their work duties. If the accident occurred due to the negligence of the bus company, such as failure to maintain their fleet or hiring unlicensed drivers, the company will also be liable.
• Government entities: If the bus is operated by a state, county, or city government entity, that agency may also be liable for the collision. Many buses in Portland are operated by public bodies, such as school districts or the Department of Transportation.
• Manufacturers: If the accident occurred due to a defective part in or on the bus, the manufacturer of that defective part will be liable for the accident. In some cases, you could also file a claim against the distributor or retailer of the part as well.

How Long Do You Have to File a Bus Accident Claim in Oregon?

If you are injured in a Portland bus accident, it is important to act quickly. Civil lawsuits in Oregon are subject to a statute of limitations, or a filing deadline for certain claims. If you do not file your claim within a certain time period, the court will dismiss your case.

For lawsuits against private bus companies and drivers, you have two years from the date of your accident to file your lawsuit. If you are filing a claim against a manufacturer, you also have a two-year filing deadline. There are certain exceptions to these deadlines; for example, if you were under the age of 18 at the time of the accident, you could file your claim up to one year following your 18th birthday.

If you are filing a claim against a government entity, however, the timeline is even shorter. You have 180 days from the date of your accident to file a tort claim notice against a public agency. Claims against the government are often very complex and subject to different requirements compared to other civil lawsuits. In these situations, it is important to contact a Portland bus accident attorney as soon as possible to identify your appropriate filing deadline and initiate your claim as soon as possible.

Contact A Portland Bus Accident Attorney From DuBois Law Group Today

If you are injured in a Portland bus accident, you have the right to pursue justice. In these situations, the Portland bus accident attorneys at DuBois Law Group can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation and learn more about your legal options.