When you board a bus in Reno, whether it’s a city bus for your daily commute, a school bus for your child, or a charter bus for a trip to Lake Tahoe, you place your trust in the driver and the company operating it. Most of the time, this trust is well-founded. However, when a crash occurs, the situation can become complicated very quickly.
The types of bus accidents vary widely, from collisions with other vehicles on I-80 to incidents involving passengers inside the bus itself, and each type presents a unique set of challenges for those injured. These incidents are not just larger versions of car crashes; they involve different regulations, more potential parties who could be at fault, and unique kinds of evidence.
Key Takeaways about Types of Bus Accidents
- Bus accidents are categorized based on the type of bus involved, such as public transit, school, or commercial charter buses. Each type is subject to different regulations.
- The cause of a bus crash can range from driver error and poor vehicle maintenance to collisions with other motorists or incidents that happen solely onboard the bus.
- Determining who is responsible in a bus accident can be complex, potentially involving the driver, the bus company, a government entity, or a parts manufacturer.
- Buses are often considered "common carriers" under Nevada law, which means they are held to a higher standard of care for passenger safety.
- Evidence in a bus accident case is often unique and may include data from the vehicle's "black box," onboard surveillance footage, and detailed maintenance logs.
- Injured parties may be able to seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering from the responsible parties.
Understanding Different Bus Classifications in Nevada
Not all buses are the same, and the type of bus involved in a crash plays a significant role in how a personal injury claim proceeds. The rules, regulations, and standards of care can differ substantially from one bus to another. On any given day in Northern Nevada, you might see several different kinds of buses operating.
Public Transit Buses
In Washoe County, the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) operates a vast network of public buses. These vehicles are a common sight from the downtown Reno transit center to the streets of Sparks. Accidents involving RTC buses can happen for many reasons, including the challenges of driving a large vehicle in dense city traffic, making frequent stops, or dealing with other distracted drivers.
When a public bus is involved in a crash, it often means dealing with a government entity. This introduces special procedures and deadlines for filing a claim that are different from a standard personal injury case.
School Buses
School buses are tasked with carrying our community's most precious cargo. As a result, they are subject to some of the highest safety standards of any vehicle on the road. A school bus accident can be particularly distressing for a family. These incidents can occur in several ways:
- Collisions with other vehicles: Another driver’s negligence can easily lead to a serious crash involving a school bus.
- Boarding and alighting accidents: A significant number of school bus-related injuries happen when children are getting on or off the bus.
- Onboard incidents: A sudden stop or a sharp turn can cause students to be thrown from their seats.
Cases involving school buses require a careful examination of whether the school district, the bus driver, and other motorists followed all required safety protocols.
Commercial and Charter Buses
Northern Nevada is a hub for tourism and travel, which means many commercial and charter buses are on our roads. These include tour buses heading to Virginia City, casino shuttles, and long-distance carriers that use I-80 as a major corridor. These buses are operated by private companies, and under federal and state law, they are classified as “common carriers.”
This legal term—common carrier—means they have a heightened duty to ensure the safety of their passengers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict rules for these companies regarding driver hours, vehicle maintenance, and safety inspections.
Private Buses
You may also encounter private buses operated by companies for specific purposes. For example, large employers like the Tesla Gigafactory east of Sparks may use private buses to transport employees. While not available to the public, these operators still have a duty to keep their passengers and others on the road safe. An accident involving one of these buses would typically be handled as a claim against the private company that owns or operates it.
Common Scenarios That Lead to Bus Accidents
Beyond the type of bus, it’s also helpful to understand the common situations that result in these accidents. The large size and weight of a bus create unique risks, and a crash can unfold in many ways.
- Collision with Another Vehicle: This is one of the most frequent types of bus accidents. A bus might be struck by a car, truck, or motorcycle. Because of the bus's size, passengers in the smaller vehicle often sustain the most severe injuries. However, bus passengers can also be seriously hurt, especially in a high-speed collision on a highway like U.S. 395.
- Pedestrian or Bicyclist Accidents: Buses have significant blind spots, which can make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians or cyclists, particularly when making turns in busy areas like downtown Reno. These accidents are often devastating due to the vulnerability of the person outside the vehicle.
- Single-Vehicle Accidents: A bus doesn't need to hit another vehicle for an accident to occur. A driver might lose control due to poor weather conditions, a mechanical failure like a tire blowout, or by taking a turn too quickly, leading to a rollover.
- Onboard Incidents: Not all bus accident injuries are caused by a crash. A passenger can be hurt if the driver brakes suddenly or accelerates too quickly, causing them to fall. Wet floors from tracked-in snow or a spilled drink can also lead to a slip and fall inside the bus.
These scenarios highlight that the cause of an accident isn't always obvious and may require a thorough investigation to determine what happened and why.
What Makes Bus Accident Cases Different?
If you've been injured in a bus accident, you may wonder if it's just like a car accident claim, only bigger. The reality is that these cases have unique legal complexities that set them apart. The process of holding a negligent party accountable often requires a deeper look into specific laws and regulations.
Identifying Liable Parties
In a typical car crash, it's often one driver's fault. In a bus accident, there can be multiple responsible parties.
- The Bus Driver: If the driver was speeding, distracted, tired, or otherwise careless, they can be held responsible.
- The Bus Company: The company that owns the bus could be liable for failing to properly train its drivers, not performing adequate background checks, or encouraging drivers to violate safety rules to stay on schedule.
- A Maintenance Provider: If a third-party company was responsible for maintaining the bus and a mechanical failure like faulty brakes caused the crash, that company could be at fault.
- A Government Entity: For public transit, the city or county agency (like RTC) that runs the service could be responsible.
- Another Motorist: Sometimes, the bus driver and company did everything right, but the driver of another car caused the crash.
Uncovering all potential sources of liability is crucial for ensuring an injured person can access the compensation they need to recover.
The "Common Carrier" Standard in Nevada
As mentioned earlier, most buses fall under the legal definition of a common carrier. According to Nevada law, a common carrier is an entity that transports passengers for a fee. Legally, common carriers owe their passengers the highest duty of care. This means they must exercise a very high degree of caution to prevent harm to their passengers. This is a much stricter standard than the one applied to regular drivers.
This higher standard can be a significant factor in a personal injury claim, as it means the bus company's actions (or inaction) will be judged very carefully.
Claims Against Government Agencies
If you were injured on an RTC bus or another government-operated vehicle, your claim would be against a government body. In Nevada, there are special rules for suing the government, a concept rooted in "sovereign immunity." This means there are very specific and often shorter deadlines to file a notice of claim. Failing to follow these strict procedural rules can result in your claim being barred forever, regardless of how strong it is.
Investigating a Bus Accident Claim
Because of these complexities, a proper investigation is essential. Evidence in a bus accident case often goes far beyond a simple police report. It can involve piecing together a story from many different sources to understand exactly what went wrong.
Key evidence may include:
- Onboard Video and Audio: Many modern buses are equipped with multiple cameras that record both inside and outside the vehicle. This footage can be invaluable in showing exactly what happened.
- Event Data Recorders (EDR): Similar to an airplane’s “black box,” an EDR records critical data about the bus’s operation, such as speed, braking, and steering inputs right before, during, and after a crash.
- Driver Qualification Files: Bus companies are required to keep detailed records on their drivers, including their training, driving history, and drug and alcohol testing results.
- Maintenance and Inspection Records: A deep dive into the bus's maintenance history can reveal if the company was cutting corners on safety and if a mechanical failure contributed to the accident.
- Witness Statements: Gathering accounts from other passengers, pedestrians, and drivers can help create a complete picture of the incident.
Collecting and analyzing this evidence quickly is important, as some of it can be lost or destroyed if not preserved right away.
Types of Compensation in a Bus Accident Claim
A serious injury can affect every part of your life, from your health to your finances to your emotional well-being. The goal of a personal injury claim is to secure compensation to help you manage these challenges and rebuild.
While every case is unique, compensation may be available for:
- Medical Expenses: This includes everything from the initial emergency room visit and hospital stay to future needs like physical therapy, medication, and any necessary long-term care.
- Lost Wages: If you are unable to work while you recover, you may be compensated for the income you have lost.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit your ability to earn a living in the future, you may be entitled to compensation for this loss.
- Pain and Suffering: This is compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and your injuries.
- Wrongful Death: In the tragic event that a bus accident results in a fatality, eligible family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim to seek justice for their loss.
These damages are meant to help make an injured person whole again, at least from a financial standpoint, after being harmed by someone else's carelessness.
Bus Accident FAQs
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the different types of bus accidents.
Are the rules different for an accident involving a school bus?
Yes, cases involving school buses can be different. They involve a very high standard of care owed to the children. Additionally, the defendant is often a school district, which is a government entity. This means the special rules and shorter deadlines for filing claims against the government may apply.
How long do I have to file a claim for a bus accident in Nevada?
In Nevada, the general statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is two years from the date of the injury. However, as mentioned, if your claim is against a government entity like RTC or a school district, you have a much shorter period—sometimes just a matter of months—to file a formal notice of your claim. It is important to understand which deadline applies to your situation.
What if the bus I was on didn't have seatbelts and I was injured?
Many commercial and public transit buses are not required by law to have seatbelts. However, that does not automatically release the bus company from responsibility. The core issue is whether the company and its driver acted with the required high degree of care to keep passengers safe. A lack of seatbelts could be a factor in examining the overall safety of the vehicle and the company's operations.
A Reno Personal Injury Law Firm Can Help
Handling a bus accident claim can be a difficult process. At Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman L.L.P., we believe in our clients and in the work we do for them. With over a century of combined experience serving Northern Nevada, our team understands the unique aspects of these complex cases. We are true trial lawyers who prepare every case with the dedication it deserves. If you have been injured in a bus accident, we want to hear your story.
We offer free consultations to discuss your case and provide you with a clear understanding of your options. We accept a limited number of cases to ensure every client receives the personalized attention they deserve. When you call, we answer.
Contact Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman L.L.P. today at (775) 284-8888 or through our online form to learn how we can help.