Detroit Bus Accident Lawyer | Lee Steinberg Law Firm

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Detroit Bus Accident Lawyer

Thousands of Detroit residents use the bus daily. From public transportation and charter buses to school routes, these vehicles play an important role in connecting people across the city. They’re large and heavy too, which is why so many bus accidents result in catastrophic injuries and even death.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Detroit bus accident, you deserve an experienced attorney who knows how to fight for the compensation you need. At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, we have helped many bus accident victims recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma. Our team has decades of experience handling personal injury cases in Detroit, and we’re here to ensure you’re treated fairly.  

Why Hire Us for Your Detroit Bus Accident Claim?  

At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, we know how a bus accident can disrupt your life. Your physical injuries may require weeks and even months of medical care, and if you can’t work to cover your medical bills and property damage, the stress gets even worse. Here’s why Detroit residents turn to us when it matters most:

  • Decades of Experience in Personal Injury Law: With over 50 years of experience, our personal injury lawyers have handled several bus accident cases. We are thoroughly familiar with Michigan laws, and insurance companies, so we know how to anticipate challenges and create strategies that work.
  • Proven Results: We have helped clients recover millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. These results demonstrate our ability to handle the toughest bus accident claims. While no two cases are the same, we always aim to maximize your compensation.
  • Thorough Case Investigations: Building a strong claim starts with uncovering every relevant detail. In bus accident cases, we analyze maintenance records to identify mechanical failures or missed inspections; review driver logs to detect driving hour or safety violations, and examine accident reports, photographs, and witness statements to piece together what happened.
  • Access to Leading Experts: We collaborate with some of the best experts in the field to build stronger cases. These professionals include accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and economic analysts, 
  • Skilled Negotiators and Courtroom Advocates: Insurance adjusters often aim to minimize payouts, but we have the experience and tenacity to challenge their tactics. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, we’re fully prepared to take your case to trial and fight for justice.

Common Causes of Detroit Bus Accidents

Bus accidents in Detroit occur under a wide range of conditions, many of which are preventable. Understanding these causes is an important part of identifying fault and pursuing fair compensation for your injuries and financial losses. 

  • Negligent Driving: Bus drivers are obligated to ensure the safety of their passengers and others on the road. Unfortunately, lapses in judgment or focus can have devastating outcomes. Drivers working long shifts without adequate rest may struggle to stay alert while using a phone, eating, or even interacting with passengers can take their attention away from the road.
  • Mechanical Failures: Buses require frequent inspections to ensure they remain safe for operation. When companies neglect routine maintenance, the results can be catastrophic. Worn or improperly maintained brakes reduce stopping power, especially in emergencies, while bald or underinflated tires increase the risk of blowouts, making buses harder to control.
  • Poor Weather Conditions: Detroit’s winters are notorious for snow, ice, and freezing rain, all of which create hazardous conditions for large vehicles like buses. While inclement weather cannot be controlled, drivers are expected to adapt by slowing down, increasing following distances, and exercising greater caution.
  • Poor Road Maintenance: Detroit’s aging infrastructure is another contributor to motor vehicle accidents. Issues such as potholes, cracked pavement, and lack of proper signage can endanger passengers and nearby vehicles. When road conditions directly contribute to an accident, government agencies responsible for maintenance may share liability.
  • Reckless Behavior by Other Drivers: Bus drivers often face challenges caused by other motorists who fail to respect the space and limitations of larger vehicles. Examples include tailgating, aggressive lane changes, and failure to obey traffic signals.

Why Bus Accidents Are Different  

Bus accidents involve challenges and outcomes that go beyond those seen in regular car crashes. Their size, the number of people involved, and the associated legal and regulatory factors can make these cases more complicated. 

  • Large Vehicles, Greater Harm: Buses weigh much more than passenger vehicles. This means that their size and force can result in severe injuries and extensive property damage. Buses also have trouble stopping or maneuvering quickly, which makes them especially dangerous to pedestrians, cyclists, and smaller vehicles.
  • Multiple Victims and Claims: When a bus crashes, it can affect several people at once. In some accidents, passengers, pedestrians, or other drivers may all suffer injuries. Sorting through various claims, evidence, and medical reports adds to the challenge of managing these cases.
  • High Standards for Safety: Bus operators must follow strict laws and rules intended to protect passengers and others on the road. They include proper vehicle inspections, training programs, and rules limiting driving hours. If any of these responsibilities are neglected, victims may be entitled to compensation.
  • Complicated Liability Issues: Liability is rarely straightforward in these accidents. It may involve the driver, the bus company, or third parties such as maintenance providers or governmental entities responsible for road safety. Investigating these connections requires experience and resources.
  • Complicated Insurance Situations: Victims may qualify for no-fault benefits as well as personal injury claims against those responsible for the crash. In most cases, you’ll need help from a Detroit bus accident lawyer to file your compensation claim and handle negotiations with insurers.

Common Injuries in Bus Accidents  

Victims of bus accidents often suffer serious injuries due to the lack of safety restraints. Injuries include:  

  • Traumatic brain injuries  
  • Spinal cord damage  
  • Broken bones  
  • Severe lacerations  
  • Internal injuries  

These injuries can lead to long recovery times, high medical bills, permanent disabilities, and even wrongful death. An experienced Detroit bus accident lawyer can help you pursue maximum compensation for your current and future medical bills as well as other losses. 

Who Pays Your Bills After a Bus Accident in Detroit?

After a bus accident, victims are often left with high medical expenses, loss of income, and other financial burdens. Who is responsible for covering these costs depends on what caused the accident. Below, we’ll outline the potential parties who may be liable and explain how no-fault laws impact your claim.  

Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance System 

Michigan’s no-fault insurance laws are intended to provide compensation for accident-related expenses regardless of who caused the crash. These benefits, often referred to as Personal Injury Protection (PIP), cover:  

  • All necessary and reasonable medical treatment related to the accident.  
  • Up to 85% of your income (subject to limits) if you cannot work due to your injuries.  
  • Reimbursement for household services you can no longer perform, such as childcare or cleaning.  

If you were injured as a bus passenger, pedestrian, or driver of another vehicle, you may file a claim under your own auto insurance policy or the policy of a relative you live with. If you don’t have auto insurance, you may still be eligible for benefits through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan. Your bus accident attorney can explain how to access them. 

Potential Defendants in a Bus Accident Claim  

While no-fault insurance provides immediate relief for your expenses, the cost of serious injuries can exceed these benefits. In such cases, you may file a lawsuit against the at-fault parties to recover additional damages, such as pain and suffering or long-term care costs. Here are some parties who may be liable, depending on the circumstances:

  • The Bus Driver: Bus drivers are required to operate their vehicles safely and follow traffic laws. If they cause a crash by speeding, distracted driving, or failing to yield, they can be held personally responsible for the injuries they caused.  
  • The Bus Company: Bus companies are responsible for hiring qualified drivers, providing adequate training, and ensuring their fleet is properly maintained. For example, they may be liable if they neglected to maintain their vehicles and a tire blowout caused an auto accident.
  • Maintenance Providers: If the bus company outsources vehicle maintenance to a third party, that provider may be liable if their failure to perform proper repairs contributed to the accident. 
  • Other Drivers: In some cases, another motorist may cause a bus accident. Examples include running a red light or cutting off the bus and forcing the driver to make an abrupt stop.  
  • Government Entities: If road conditions contributed to the accident, the government agency responsible for maintaining those roads may be held liable. Filing a claim against a public entity can be more complicated, as it involves strict deadlines and additional legal requirements.  
  • Vehicle Manufacturers:  If a defect in the bus or another vehicle involved in the crash contributed to the accident, the manufacturer of the faulty part could be held responsible. Common examples include defective brakes or tires, malfunctioning steering or suspension systems, and design flaws that make the vehicle unstable or prone to rollovers.  

What If You’re Partially at Fault for the Bus Accident?

In some bus accident cases, the injured party may share responsibility for the crash. Michigan’s comparative fault rules allow you to seek compensation even if you’re partly at fault, but the amount you can recover depends on your level of responsibility. 

  • If you’re less than 50% at fault, you may pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages, but your payout will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 30% responsible for the accident and your total damages are $200,000, you would receive $140,000 instead of the full amount. 
  • If you’re 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover compensation for non-economic damages, such as physical pain and suffering, though you may still receive some no-fault benefits.  

What Compensation Can You Get in a Detroit Bus Accident Case?

Below are the key categories of compensation you can seek in a Detroit bus accident case, with detailed explanations for each.  

  • Medical Expenses:  Medical costs are usually the most immediate and overwhelming consequence of a bus accident. They include bills for ambulance rides, emergency room care, and urgent surgeries as well as diagnostic tests, follow-up doctor visits, prescription medication, and future medical needs like nursing care.
  • Lost Wages: Bus accident injuries can force victims to miss work, resulting in lost income. Compensation for lost wages includes the income you would have earned during the recovery period in addition to sick days or vacation time used for your recovery.
  • Reduced Earning Capacity: Some injuries have long-lasting effects that make it difficult (or impossible) to return to your previous job or income level. Compensation for reduced earning capacity considers your age, career path, and the long-term effects of your injuries. Expert testimony from vocational specialists or economists may be used to estimate your future losses.  
  • Pain and Suffering:  The physical and emotional toll of a bus accident goes beyond medical bills. Pain and suffering compensation is designed to cover physical discomfort, emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
  • Property Damage: If your personal property was damaged or destroyed in the accident, you can seek compensation for repair or replacement costs. Examples include damage to your car, personal belongings, and Items such as bicycles or mobility devices.  

The value of your claim depends on several factors, including:  

  • Severity of Injuries: More serious injuries typically result in higher compensation.  
  • Duration of Recovery: Longer recovery times often mean greater medical costs and lost income.  
  • Long-Term Impact: Permanent disabilities or chronic conditions will increase the amount of damages.  
  • Strength of Evidence: Medical records, accident reports, and witness statements are key to building a strong case.  

Michigan law allows three years from the date of a bus accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For no-fault insurance claims, you must file within one year. Acting quickly ensures evidence is preserved and deadlines are met.  

Get a Free Consultation From a Detroit Bus Accident Lawyer

Injuries suffered in a bus accident can take years to heal, and your ability to work may be affected temporarily or for the rest of your life. When the collision was due to someone else’s negligent behavior, you deserve the financial compensation you need to cover your lost wages, medical bills, and other impacts on your life.

At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, we’re ready to fight for your family and your future. To get an experienced personal injury attorney in your corner, call us at 1-800-LEE-FREE or fill out our online contact form for a free initial consultation. We invited you to find out for yourself why we’re one of Michigan’s most trusted personal injury law firms.