Las Vegas Bus Accident Lawyer

Bus accidents in Las Vegas are a common occurrence that happens more than you think. Every year around 40 million tourists visit Las Vegas and as a result, it creates a high volume of traffic around some of the city’s most popular destinations. With such a high influx of tourists traversing throughout the city, traffic accidents involving buses are bound to happen.

Whether you are a local or a tourist just visiting the sites, bus accidents can happen to anybody. If you are ever in a bus accident either due to the bus driver or by a separate negligent party, then you may be entitled to financial compensation.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we are experienced in handling bus accident cases and are prepared for any possible variation that may occur in a bus crash. From head-on collisions to faulty bus components, our team of professional bus accident lawyers have seen them all and are ready to help guide you through the legal process.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE case consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling us at (702) 800-3780 or by filling out our quick online contact form.

Las Vegas Bus Accidents Statistics

According to a crash analysis report conducted by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), bus accidents have been increasing every year and the majority of these accidents have been pinpointed at heavily congested areas of interest. 

Naturally, tourist hotspots and large venues like the Las Vegas strip and Allegiant Stadium make up the majority of the pinpointed areas. However, busy intersections such as Koval Lane and Tropicana Avenue, and West Charleston Blvd and Rancho Dr. are notorious for wall-to-wall traffic and frequently cause traffic accidents.    

Based on the same report, the number of bus crashes frequently occurs between the time of 2pm to 5pm when most businesses and special events begin to open their doors. 

In addition, out of the reported 2,355 bus accidents, 28% of them were due to improper bus movements, and a staggering 55% was due to the improper movement of other vehicles such as unsafe lane changes and failing to yield the right of way.

Nevada’s Department of Transportation has also reported in their Traffic Safety and Crash report that 42.7% of all traffic related crashes stemmed from impaired driving incidents, with about 68% of those car accidents occurring in urbanized areas. With that mind, the likelihood of being in a bus accident due to the negligence and recklessness of another driver is significantly high.

Types of Buses Accident Claims In Las Vegas

Buses can be hit from any angle and depending on the nature of the crash and the proprietorship, one or more parties can become involved. As a result, a Las Vegas bus crash can ultimately be categorized in one of two cases, private and public.

RTC Bus Accidents

The RTC is a regional government funded entity that oversees all of Las Vegas’s public transportation. From residential routes to game express routes, the RTC has over 400 buses, 3.6 thousand bus stops, and 39 bus routes that take locals and tourists wherever they need to go and are a popular option for those looking to travel locally on a budget.  

If a victim somehow finds themselves in a bus accident due to a negligent bus driver, the victim may file a personal injury claim against the bus driver and the RTC in order to claim compensation for all of their damages. 

However, it is important to note that Section 171.090 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, states that all gross misdemeanors have a statute of limitation within two years, meaning all personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the incident or else they lose all rights to file their claim and will no longer qualify to acquire recoverable damages. As such, it is vital for those who have been in a bus accident to contact a bus accident attorney as soon as possible.

Private Bus Accident Claims

Private buses such as charter buses, tour buses, and party buses are a type of bus that are managed by a privately owned business. They serve as popular travel options in Las Vegas due to the amount of extra amenities and convenience they offer. If you find yourself in a bus accident and have sustained serious injuries, then you may file a personal injury case against the bus company. 

Generally speaking, personal injury claims against private companies tend to be straight and to-the-point. However, there are some commonly unique scenarios that tend to occur with private Las Vegas buses that may muddle the liability of an accident and it is important to understand some of the technical aspects of these liabilities 

Party Bus

Party buses are a fun traveling option that allows its riders to comfortably drink as they are safely transported from one destination to another. As a result, some riders may have one drink too many and can experience a slip and fall accident either in the bus or when they are getting off the bus. In cases such as these, the liability tends to fall on the intoxicated passenger for being unable to balance themselves and ask for help when needed. 

However, the liability can fall onto the party bus driver if they were negligent in their duty to ensure the safety of their passengers. In some severe cases, the party bus company can be held liable in a bus accident if the overall condition of the bus was below standard regulations.

Charter Bus

Typically used by large organizations and private event organizers, charter buses are a great way to transport a large group of people to a singular stop or multiple destinations in a timely and organized manner. Should a charter bus ever be involved in a bus accident, the liability would either fall to the bus driver or to whoever caused the bus accident. 

In some instances, the charter bus company can be held liable if certain mechanical failures or disabled features have caused the accident. As charter buses are designed to make group traveling easier, it is extremely rare for passengers to be held liable in a bus accident unless they intentionally went out of their way to cause a disturbance that led to the bus accident in question.  

Tour Bus

Much like party buses, tour buses offer a unique experience to riders who wish to see Las Vegas’s biggest and most popular destinations. When it comes to determining liability in a tour bus accident, the bus driver is responsible for ensuring the safety of all of their passengers and this includes making sure that all passengers are using seatbelts and are following the tour bus’s code of conduct for passengers.

If an accident were to occur due to the driver’s negligence in following traffic laws or enforcing the passenger code of conduct, then they would become responsible for all financial damages. In more severe cases, the tour bus company can be held liable if the cause of the accident was due to the bus not being at optimal operational condition. However, if the accident was caused by a third party due to their negligence then all fault and liability would fall onto that third party. 

What Are the Top Causes of Bus Accidents in Las Vegas?

When it comes to determining the top causes of bus accidents in Las Vegas, it can be pinpointed down to any number of factors such as the driver’s negligence, bad weather, and even defective parts. While some of these causes are easy to identify who is at fault, there are some that are harder to identify, so it is important to better understand the top bus accident causes in Las Vegas to get a better understanding of the scenario. 

Distracted Bus Drivers

Distracted driving is a common and frequent case when it comes to Las Vegas bus accidents, because distracted driving encompasses a variety of activities that both bus drivers and nearby drivers don’t realize. Activities such as eating, drinking, adjusting the music, and even talking to other passengers are all examples of distracted driving.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Put the Phone Away or Pay campaign, 8% of all fatal traffic accidents are caused by distracted drivers and over 32,000 people have unfortunately perished as a result of it. 

Driver Fatigue

A drowsy driving survey conducted by the CDC has reported that 1 in 25 adults have admitted to have fallen asleep while driving and in 2017 alone, over 91,000 traffic accidents were caused by drowsy driving. Meanwhile, an RTC crash analysis report revealed that the annual average of fatigued related traffic accidents in Las Vegas was at 1.29%. 

Despite a low percentage, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) guidelines state that bus drivers are allowed to work up to 15 hour shifts as long as the appropriate amount of breaks are taken. 

Taking into consideration that the national average salary in the United States is around $59,000 according to the US Bureau of Labor’s 2023 Q4 report and the average Las Vegas bus driver salary is estimated to be around $45,000, it incentives bus drivers to take on longer shifts in order to make ends meet. 

This can potentially lead to a very dangerous bus crash where the bus driver is held responsible due to his fatigue. Depending on the severity of the crash, it can lead to fatal injuries and the bus driver would be held liable for endangering the lives of their passengers. 

Drunk Driving

According to the CDC’s Global Road Safety report, more than 28% of all fatal crashes in the U.S. result from impaired driving, and in Las Vegas alone, about 42.7% of all traffic related crashes are derived from impaired driving incidents.

If you are ever in a Las Vegas bus accident, the chances of it being caused by a drunk driver is relatively high. Considering how prevalent alcohol consumption is in Las Vegas, if you ever suffered injuries due to a drunk driver, a personal injury attorney can help cover any extensive medical expenses.

Traffic Violations By Bus Drivers

While there are many laws and rules in place that regulate traffic and transportation, a negligent bus driver will disregard these rules and unknowingly put their passengers at risk of severe injuries. For instance, RTC buses and party buses might tend to cause traffic violations such as speeding and conducting improper turning and lane changes in order to stay on schedule for their clients. In cases such as these, the fault would fall onto the negligence of the drivers for not abiding by the traffic laws.

Defective or Faulty Bus Components

Whether it is a privately owned bus company or one that is government funded, poor bus maintenance should never be an excuse for a bus accident to occur. While a bus accident derived from a defective and faulty part doesn’t happen frequently, it is always a possibility due to human error or negligence.

An NHTSA report revealed that 35% of all traffic accidents are caused by tire problems and an additional 22% is due to brake related issues. Taking this into consideration, the range of possible incidents with defective or faulty parts that could occur is insurmountable, because faulty tires or brakes can lead to major collisions, fires, and even buses rolling over. 

Whether it is the bus company or a separate maintenance entity, these companies have a responsibility to ensure their passengers won’t get injured from defective bus components. Therefore, if a bus accident occurs due to faulty mechanical issues, then either the bus company or the maintenance company would be held liable for any bus accident injuries.

Poor Weather Conditions

On rare occasions, poor weather conditions can cause a bus accident to occur. In September of 2023, Las Vegas was hit with strong thunderstorms and a summer monsoon that turned roads and casino parking garages into lakes and river rapids. While extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain, flash floods, and wind storms occur once every so often in Las Vegas, bus drivers should still be trained and prepared to drive through those conditions when applicable.

As there are certain precautions set in place for these scenarios, a properly trained driver should be able to maneuver through these weather conditions and should a bus crash happen, the bus company and driver can be held liable depending on the conditions.

Common Bus Accident Injuries Sustained

Depending on the severity of the bus accident, the sustained injuries can be intensified due to the amount of people involved and possible lack of seatbelts. Brain, spine, internal, and even burn injuries are some of the most common injuries that can occur in a bus accident, and it is important to understand the differences between each one when hiring an experienced bus accident lawyer in order to get the maximum amount of compensation to cover all future medical expenses.

Brain Injuries

Brain injuries are some of the most common injuries found in traffic accidents and a bus crash is no different. In fact, the force of a bus crash can cause accident victims to smash their heads into a seat and in more severe cases receive blunt force trauma or possible traumatic brain injuries (TBI). 

Spinal Cord Injuries

Similarly to brain injuries, spinal cord injuries are another common injury found in a bus accident due the spine’s limited amount of ability to absorb heavy impacts. As a result, anyone involved in a serious bus accident is likely to suffer from spinal cord injuries and could potentially suffer long-term injuries such as paralysis and constant sharp aching pain.

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries are defined as internal bleeding and damage to internal organs. They are typically caused by sudden high speed trauma and if left alone they can cause serious damage. Internal injuries are common in a bus accident case where damages are caused by a high speed collision. While victims of these types of accidents may seem alright from the outside, a high speed collision can potentially cause internal bleeding and can lead to death if not treated immediately.

Burn Injury

In some of the most severe bus collisions, a fire could be ignited in the wreckage and if trapped it can lead to a variety of burn injuries from first-degree to third-degree. Suffering from third-degree burns can be fatal if not treated immediately and it can permanently disfigure the body in any number of ways.

How Is Liability Determined in a Las Vegas Bus Accident

Determining liability in a Las Vegas bus accident can be a timely procedure. According to the revised statutes in Nevada’s legislature (NRS 41.1395), Nevada law allows a victim to financially recover from a case as long as they are not more at fault for the accident than the defendants.

In more complex cases where the fault of an accident and/or case is seemingly down the middle, it will come down to whoever was at most fault. For instance, if a plaintiff is 25% at fault, and the defendant is at 75%, then the plaintiff can financially recover damages because their percent of fault is less than the defendant’s. 

What To Do If You Are in a Bus Accident?

If you are subjected to a Las Vegas bus accident, it is absolutely vital to call 911 for immediate medical assistance and law enforcement to help contain the accident. After that, it is recommended to take photos of the incident for your own records and for when you file a personal injury lawsuit should you choose to seek compensation and legal representation.

If you are worried or unsure about the total value of your claim, an experienced Las Vegas bus accident lawyer will be able to appropriately determine your claim and find out who is liable for all of the sustained damages.

Our Las Vegas Bus Accident Lawyers Are Here To Help

If you were involved in a bus accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may sue to recover damages. No matter what kind of accident you are involved in, it is important that you understand all possible legal options.

Should you choose to pursue legal action, our trusted and experienced Las Vegas bus accident legal team at West Coast Trial Lawyers are readily available to assist. With over $1.6 billion recovered for our clients, we are devoted to serving justice to bus accident victims and are confident that we will deliver results

To schedule a FREE case consultation, we welcome you to reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling us at (702) 800-3780 or completing our easy online contact form.

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Bus Accident Injuries in Las Vegas

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim if I Was Injured?

If you were involved in a bus accident and have suffered injuries, you have up to two years to file a personal injury claim according to the Nevada Revised Statutes, Section 171.090. However, if the bus accident in question was deemed to be a felony, then Section 171.085 states that you have up to four years to file a claim in order to recover lost damages. No matter what kind of accident you were involved in, it is recommended to file a personal injury claim as soon as possible.

Can I File a Claim if I Was Injured on a Party Bus?

You can, but the strength of your claim will be entirely dependent on the accident. If you were legally intoxicated and hurt yourself due to your own accord then you are solely responsible for your injuries. 

However, if you are injured due to the negligence of the party bus driver or the bus company then they are liable for your injuries. Additionally, if you were intoxicated when the party bus got into an accident, you are not held liable unless you were directly responsible for the incident in question. 

How Is Liability Determined in Nevada?

According to Nevada’s Revised Statute section 41.1395, liability is determined by whoever is more at fault of an incident and the victim is allowed to financially recover from a case as long as they are not as responsible.

For example, if a plaintiff is 30% responsible for an accident, but the defendant is 70% responsible, then the plaintiff would be able financially recover their damages from the accident, because they are only 30% liable for the accident.  

How Much Compensation Can I Receive for Being Injured in a Bus Accident?

The compensation range of your injury will largely depend on the severity of the injury. If you have sustained a traumatic brain and/or spinal injury that has left you with expensive medical bills and a loss of quality in life then you are eligible anywhere between the six to seven figure range. However, for more minor to moderate injuries, those can land anywhere between the five to six figure range.