Whether getting around town, going to school, or commuting to D.C. for work, many people in Fairfax ride public buses to get where they’re going. Although taking the bus is an economical (and eco-friendly) method of transportation, your chances of getting into a bus accident that injures you always exist. In most cases, you can seek compensation for the injuries and losses you incurred following a bus accident, but you will need an experienced Fairfax bus accident attorney for help.
The Fairfax bus accident lawyers at Right Path Law Group PLLC have served this city and the surrounding areas of Northern Virginia for years, and we have successfully handled many bus accident claims for our neighbors and clients.
Contact us right away for a free consultation of your claim and advice regarding your rights and options.
Fairfax Bus Accident Guide
1. What Causes Bus Accidents in Fairfax?
2. Virginia Bus Accident Statistics
3. What Should I Do After a Bus Accident in Fairfax?
4. What Kinds of Damages Can I Recover from a Fairfax Bus Accident Claim?
5. Who Can I Hold Liable for My Fairfax Bus Accident Injuries?
6. How Long Do I Have to File a Bus Accident Claim in Virginia?
7. Contact an Experienced Fairfax Bus Accident Attorney Today
Why Choose Us to Handle Your Fairfax Bus Accident Claim
Bus accident claims can be complex due to the parties involved and other factors. You need an attorney on your side who understands Virginia’s personal injury laws and can help you navigate the legal process effectively.
It also helps to hire an attorney with knowledge of local courts and procedures as well as the resources to gather the necessary evidence and hold the appropriate parties accountable.
The attorneys at Right Path Law Group PLLC have served injured clients in Fairfax and the surrounding areas for more than 15 years. We have in-depth knowledge of Virginia’s personal injury laws, and we also possess invaluable knowledge of the area’s municipal laws and regulations that may factor in your Fairfax bus accident claim.
We pride ourselves on delivering compassionate, yet assertive, representation that gets results. To date, we have recovered substantial verdicts and settlements for our injured clients, and you can trust we will do all we can to help you obtain the maximum financial recovery possible.
Honored for our success, our Fairfax personal injury attorneys have received recognition for our remarkable professionalism along with dozens of five-star client reviews and testimonials. We are here for you when you need us, and we promise to respond to your questions and concerns promptly while providing regular updates as to the status of your case.
What’s more, our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t have to pay anything upfront to represent you, and we will only accept a fee if we recover compensation for you through an insurance settlement or court award.
Contact us today for your free, no-obligation consultation concerning your Fairfax bus accident claim and find out how we can help you.
What Causes Bus Accidents in Fairfax?
Bus accidents in Fairfax can occur due to a variety of factors and causes. These accidents can result from a combination of human error, vehicle-related issues, environmental conditions, and other factors.
Some common causes of bus accidents in Fairfax and elsewhere include:
- Driver Error: Human error is a significant factor in bus accidents. This includes actions like distracted driving, speeding, reckless driving, and driver fatigue. Bus drivers must operate their vehicles safely and follow traffic laws to minimize the risk of accidents.
- Inexperienced or Inadequately Trained Drivers: Bus companies must ensure that their drivers receive proper training and have the necessary qualifications to operate large and often complex vehicles. Inexperienced or inadequately trained drivers can make critical errors that lead to accidents.
- Driver Impairment: Impairment due to alcohol or drugs can impair a bus driver’s judgment, reaction time, and ability to operate the vehicle safely. This is a significant risk factor for accidents.
- Vehicle Defects and Maintenance Issues: Bus accidents can occur when there are defects in the bus’s design or manufacturing or when the bus’s owner/operator neglects maintenance. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and other mechanical issues can lead to accidents.
- Weather Conditions: Adverse weather conditions, such as rain, snow, ice, fog, or heavy winds, can reduce visibility and traction, making it more challenging for bus drivers to control their vehicles and avoid accidents.
- Road Conditions: Poorly maintained roads, road construction zones, potholes, and other road hazards can contribute to bus accidents. Inadequate road signage and markings can also contribute to an accident.
- Traffic Violations by Other Drivers: Other vehicles may contribute to bus accidents by engaging in reckless or negligent behavior, such as running red lights, failing to yield, or driving aggressively.
- Passenger Behavior: Passenger behavior can sometimes create distractions for the bus driver or lead to accidents. This may include disruptive behavior, arguing, or interfering with the driver.
- Bus Company Negligence: Negligence on the part of the bus company, such as inadequate driver supervision, poor hiring practices, or failure to address safety concerns, can contribute to accidents.
- Fatigue: Fatigue among bus drivers can result from long hours, irregular schedules, and inadequate rest breaks. Fatigued drivers are more prone to errors and slower reaction times.
- Unsecured Cargo: If cargo or luggage is not properly secured within the bus, it can shift during transit and affect the vehicle’s balance, potentially leading to an accident.
Determining the exact cause of a bus accident often requires a thorough investigation. Bus companies, insurance companies, and legal authorities (including personal injury attorneys) may conduct investigations to determine liability and to help prevent future accidents.
The attorneys at Right Path Law Group PLLC will thoroughly investigate your personal injury case to determine the cause of the bus accidents and work diligently to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Virginia Bus Accident Statistics
Accident data from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) show that 486 total bus crashes occurred throughout the state in just one year. Of those, three fatal bus accidents happened that killed a total of four people—all of whom were passengers. Reports also show that 233 bus occupants suffered injuries, including 148 bus passengers.
Interestingly, 75 percent of fatal bus accidents occurred on interstate highways, and only 25 percent occurred on other roads. Also, 75 percent of fatal bus accidents involved more than one vehicle.
The top three driver actions that purportedly caused the most bus accidents were failure to yield, following too closely, and improper turning.
What Should I Do After a Bus Accident in Fairfax?
If you are in a bus accident in Fairfax, ensure your safety, protect your legal rights, and gather information to help your legal claims.
Here’s what you should do after a bus accident:
- Make Sure Everyone’s Safe: First and foremost, check for injuries, and make sure you and others are in a safe location, away from traffic and potential hazards. If there are injuries, call 911 immediately to request medical assistance.
- Report the Accident: Contact the local police or law enforcement agency to report the bus accident. They will create an accident report, which you need for insurance purposes and legal claims.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if your injuries appear minor, it’s advisable to seek medical attention promptly. Some injuries may not immediately appear but can worsen over time.
- Exchange Information: Collect contact and insurance information from the bus driver, any other drivers involved in the accident, and any witnesses. Important information to obtain includes names, phone numbers, license plate numbers, insurance details, and the bus company’s information.
- Document the Scene: If it’s safe to do so, take photos or videos of the accident scene, including damage to vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. You need this documentation when determining liability.
- Obtain Witness Statements: If there are witnesses to the accident, obtain their names and contact information. Witness statements can help establish what happened and who may be at fault.
- Notify the Bus Company: Report the accident to the bus company as soon as possible. They may have specific procedures to follow and can provide guidance on the next steps.
- Contact Your Insurance Company: Notify your own auto insurance company about the accident, even if you were a passenger on the bus. Your insurance may come into play depending on the circumstances.
- Preserve Evidence: Keep records of all documents related to the accident, including medical bills, insurance correspondence, and any communication with the bus company or other parties involved.
- Follow Medical Recommendations: Follow all medical recommendations and attend all necessary medical appointments to document your injuries and treatment.
- Adhere to Deadlines: Be aware of any deadlines for filing claims or lawsuits related to the bus accident. Virginia has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, but claims against government entities have their own (often tight) deadlines and requirements you must follow.
- Consult an Attorney: If you suffered injuries in the bus accident or if there is a dispute about liability, consult a personal injury attorney with experience in bus accidents. An attorney can protect your rights, assess your potential legal claims, and navigate the legal process.
By taking these steps after a bus accident, you can help ensure your safety, gather essential information, and protect your rights if you decide to pursue compensation for your injuries and damages resulting from the accident.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Recover from a Fairfax Bus Accident Claim?
If you suffered injuries in a bus accident in Fairfax, you may recover damages for a variety of losses.
These damages may include:
- Medical Expenses: This includes the cost of your medical treatment, such as hospital bills, doctor’s visits, and prescription drugs.
- Lost Income: If you have been unable to work due to your injuries, you may recover compensation for your lost wages as well as other work-related benefits.
- Pain and Suffering: This includes the physical and emotional pain and suffering that you have experienced because of your injuries.
- Property Damage: If your property was damaged in the bus accident, you may recover compensation for the cost of repairs or replacement.
- Loss of Consortium: This is a type of damage that is available to spouses and other family members of the injured person. It compensates for the loss of companionship and intimacy that the injured person’s loved ones have experienced because of the injuries.
In some cases, you may also recover punitive damages. Punitive damages punish the bus company for its reckless or intentional conduct.
The amount of damages that you are able to recover will depend on the severity of your injuries, the extent of your losses, and the facts of your case. Speak with an experienced Fairfax bus accident attorney to discuss your case and get an estimate of your damages. An attorney from Right Path Law Group PLLC can explain your legal rights and options and can represent you in negotiations with the bus company or in court.
Who Can I Hold Liable for My Fairfax Bus Accident Injuries?
Determining liability in a bus accident case can be complex and depends on the specific circumstances of the accident.
One or more parties may hold liability for your bus accident injuries, which could include:
- Bus Driver: Your attorney may hold the bus driver liable if their negligent or reckless actions contributed to the accident. This can include actions such as distracted driving, speeding, running a red light, or other violations of traffic laws.
- Bus Company or Operator: The bus company or operator (such as a public transit authority or private bus company) may bear liability if they were negligent in hiring, training, or supervising the bus driver. You can hold them responsible if the accident resulted from inadequate maintenance or safety procedures.
- Other Drivers: If the bus accident involved multiple vehicles, one or more drivers of other vehicles may share liability. If another driver’s actions contributed to the accident, your lawyer can hold them responsible for their role in causing your injuries.
- Manufacturers and Maintenance Providers: If the bus or any of its components were defective and this defect contributed to the accident or your injuries, the manufacturer or maintenance provider may be liable for product liability.
- Government Entities: If the bus is owned or operated by a government entity (such as a city or state transit system), specific rules and procedures may apply. Claims against government entities often involve unique requirements and limitations.
- Road Authorities: If the condition of the road, such as inadequate signage, poorly maintained roads, or construction zone hazards, contributed to the accident, the road authorities responsible for maintenance and safety may share liability.
- Third Parties: In some cases, third parties not directly involved in the accident, such as contractors or maintenance companies responsible for roadwork or other aspects of transportation infrastructure, may bear liability.
- Passengers: In rare cases, the actions of a passenger on the bus can contribute to an accident. For example, if a passenger interferes with the driver’s ability to operate the bus safely, your attorney may hold them responsible.
Establishing liability often requires a complete investigation of the accident, including reviewing accident reports, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with experts when necessary. Liability may also accrue to multiple parties based on their respective levels of fault.
To navigate the complexities of a bus accident case and determine who you can hold for your injuries, consult an experienced personal injury attorney.
A lawyer from the Right Path Law Group PLLC can assess the facts of your case, identify responsible parties, and pursue personal injury claim to seek compensation for your injuries and damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bus Accident Claim in Virginia?
The statute of limitations in Virginia for filing a personal injury claim, including those related to bus accidents, is generally two years from the date of the accident. If you do not have an attorney file your lawsuit in civil court within that time, you will likely forfeit your rights to pursue compensation.
However, some exceptions and nuances can affect the statute of limitations for bus accident claims in Virginia.
These include:
- Discovery Rule: In some cases, the statute of limitations may not start running until the date when you discovered or should have reasonably discovered your injuries. This rule may apply if injuries or their causes are not immediately apparent.
- Injuries to Minors: If you were a minor at the time of the bus accident, or the bus accident injured your child, the statute of limitations may be tolled (temporarily suspended) until you or your child reaches 18.
- Government Entities: If the City of Fairfax or a school district owned the bus involved in the accident, you may face shorter notice requirements and time limitations for bringing a claim against the government.
Considering the exceptions and nuances inherent in bus accident claims, you need to consult an attorney as soon as you can to learn of your options. An attorney can assess your specific situation, provide guidance on the applicable statute of limitations, and protect your legal rights.
Contact an Experienced Fairfax Bus Accident Attorney Today
You expect your bus driver to act responsibly and that the bus is in proper working order to get you to your destination safely. You do not expect to suffer injuries in a Fairfax bus accident due to circumstances beyond your control.
Although you likely qualify to receive compensation for your bus accident injuries, you need an attorney to review your case and guide you through the process.
The Fairfax bus accident lawyers at Right Path Law Group PLLC are here to answer your questions at no cost and inform you of your right to pursue compensation. Contact us today at (703) 637-9999 for your free consultation to learn more about your options and how we can help you get the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Right Path Law Group PLLC
10387 Main St #204
Fairfax, VA 22030, United States
Phone: (703) 637-9999
