A bus accident can leave you facing serious injuries, unexpected medical bills, and tough questions about who bears responsibility. Whether you were hurt while riding a local transit system bus, school bus, or charter bus on an interstate like I-95, you should work with a legal team that understands Virginia law and local roads. 

Our experienced and dedicated personal injury lawyers at Marks & Harrison have represented injured individuals and families throughout Virginia since 1911 and know what it takes to build strong claims against bus companies, transit authorities, and their insurers. Our record includes recovering over $1 billion for our clients. 

Contact us today to learn more. We can provide a free, no-obligation consultation and discuss how we can help with your recovery.

Why Bus Accident Cases Require Experienced Representation

Bus accident claims differ from typical car crash cases involving passenger motor vehicles in several ways. Those ways include the following:

  • Common carrier duty of care – Bus operators, whether they are public transit agencies or private companies, owe passengers a heightened “common carrier” duty of care under Virginia law. That duty requires more than ordinary caution. It demands the highest degree of care consistent with the bus’s safe operation. If a driver or company falls short of that standard, the consequences can be severe.
  • Multiple victims – Bus accident cases also frequently involve multiple injured bus passengers, which can complicate liability and create competition for limited insurance funds. The number of vehicles involved can also create challenges when seeking compensation.
  • Complex evidence – Evidence in personal injury claims involving buses tends to be complex. The evidence can include documentation like maintenance logs, GPS data, cell phone data, camera footage, and internal company communications,  
  • Claims against the government – Additionally, claims against government-owned bus lines, in contrast to cases involving commercial bus lines, are subject to strict notice requirements and tight deadlines that don’t apply to other types of accident claims.

At Marks & Harrison, we’ve recovered over $1 billion for accident victims across Virginia, including several substantial results in bus accident and wrongful death cases. Our team includes 34 attorneys and more than 130 support personnel, including in-house investigators, research attorneys, and staff members who previously worked for insurance companies. That combination of resources and insider knowledge allows us to develop cases that insurers take seriously from day one.

Types of Bus Accidents We Handle Virginia

Virginia is served by a mix of public buses, school buses, charter services, and interstate carriers, and accident cases involving each type of vehicle present unique legal challenges. Our team represents injured passengers, pedestrians, and other victims in cases involving:

  • City and public transit bus crashes – Accidents occur frequently in Virginia involving what are commonly called “city buses” 
  • School bus accidents – Crashes that involve students, including collisions that occur between motorists and students getting on and off buses 
  • Charter, tour, and commercial bus accidents – Wrecks involving privately operated buses used for group travel, tours, or corporate transportation
  • Greyhound and other intercity bus accidents on highways – Serious crashes occurring on major Virginia corridors, such as I-95, I-64, and I-81

Common Causes of Bus Accidents

Our investigations frequently reveal one or more of the following causal factors in the Virginia bus accident cases we handle:

  • Distracted or negligent driving – Cell phone use, inattention, or failure to follow traffic laws
  • Driver fatigue and inadequate training – Driver fatigue stemming from long shifts or insufficient rest, or a lack of proper driver instruction on routes or vehicles
  • Poor maintenance and mechanical failures – Worn brakes, faulty steering systems, or deferred repairs that a bus company should have caught
  • Dangerous road conditions and third-party negligence – Drivers who fail to adjust their speed or following distance for construction zones, inclement weather, or heavy traffic

Injuries Commonly Seen in Bus Accidents in Virginia

Given the massive size and weight of the average bus, even a moderate-speed collision can cause severe harm to passengers, pedestrians, and occupants of other vehicles. Victims of Virginia bus accidents often suffer injuries like:

  • Head and neck injuries 
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Back and spinal cord injuries
  • Orthopedic injuries
  • Lacerations
  • Broken bones
  • Crush injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Psychological and emotional trauma

How We Investigate Virginia Bus Accidents

The in-house investigators at Marks & Harrison move quickly to obtain and preserve evidence like bus camera footage before it gets overwritten or deleted. We may also request GPS tracking data to establish the bus’s speed, route, and location at the time of the crash, along with driver logs that reveal hours of service and potential fatigue violations.

Our investigators also review inspection histories and repair orders to determine whether the bus company may have ignored known mechanical problems. We can search through dispatch communications, including radio or text exchanges between drivers and dispatchers, to determine what instructions the driver received and whether the company took reasonable steps to prevent the crash. 

Who May Be Liable After a Bus Accident?

Determining liability after a bus accident often requires looking beyond the driver alone. Depending on the facts of your case, one or more of the following parties may share legal responsibility:

  • Bus drivers
  • Bus companies
  • Public transit authorities
  • Other government entities
  • Bus maintenance providers
  • Bus and parts manufacturers
  • Other negligent drivers
  • Other third parties

What to Do After a Bus Accident in Virginia

The steps you take after a bus accident can have significant implications for your health and your legal claim. Below is a high-level overview of the steps you can take to protect both.

  • Seek medical attention immediately – Get medical care right away, even if you feel fine at first. Some injuries, especially head and spinal injuries, don’t show symptoms immediately. Prompt treatment is key to protecting your health and creating a medical record that can support your claim by linking your injuries to the crash.
  • Report the incident and preserve evidence – Report the crash to police or the relevant transit authority and request a copy of the incident or crash report for your records. If possible, take photos of the scene, your injuries, and the bus. Collect names and contact information from any witnesses and keep any tickets or proof of ridership to establish that you were a passenger at the time of the accident.
  • Avoid speaking to insurers before talking to a lawyer – Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly after a crash, but you don’t owe them a recorded statement. Just stick to the facts when you speak with them, and never accept any early settlement offers without legal advice, as you might accidentally waive your rights.
  • Contact a bus accident attorney as soon as possible – An experienced attorney at Marks & Harrison can protect key evidence before it disappears and identify any deadlines that apply to your case. We will also handle all communication with the insurance companies on your behalf, so you’re free to focus on healing.

Compensation Available in a Bus Accident Claim

Every bus accident case is different, but injured victims may pursue full and fair compensation for a range of losses, including:

  • Medical expenses 
  • Future care costs
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Pain, suffering, and lost quality of life
  • Property damage costs
  • Other out-of-pocket expenses

Virginia Laws and Deadlines That Affect Bus Accident Claims

Virginia law imposes strict deadlines on bus accident claims, and these deadlines are especially short for cases involving government entities that own or operate buses. Here’s what you need to know.

  • Statute of limitations for bus accident cases – You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Virginia. If you miss this deadline, you could lose the right to file your claim entirely and eliminate any leverage you’d otherwise have in settlement negotiations, so it’s important to act swiftly.
  • Special rules for claims against government entities – If you have a claim against a public transit authority, you must provide written notice of your claim within six months to one year of the accident, depending on which authority operates the bus. If you miss this shorter notice deadline, you could permanently lose the right to file your claim, regardless of whether you meet the two-year filing deadline.

Contributory Negligence and Its Impact on Recovery

Virginia follows a strict contributory negligence rule. Under this rule, if you bear any fault for the accident, even a small percentage, you may be ineligible to recover compensation from other parties. Insurance companies know this rule, and they frequently try to pin blame on victims to avoid paying valid claims. Our attorneys at Marks & Harrison know how to counter these tactics and build cases that focus on the bus company’s or driver’s negligence.

How Our Virginia Bus Accident Lawyers Can Help

You deserve a legal team with the skill and resources to build a strong claim while you focus on your recovery. Here’s how our Virginia bus accident lawyers at Marks & Harrison can support you every step of the way:

  • Investigating the crash and preserving key evidence – We obtain police and incident reports, surveillance footage, maintenance records, and driver logs before they disappear, so your case has a strong evidentiary foundation from the start.
  • Working with experts to strengthen your case – We regularly work with experts like accident reconstruction specialists and medical providers who can explain how the crash happened and how it affected your health, both now and in the future. These professionals help us establish causation and support the full value of your claim.
  • Handling insurance negotiations and litigation – Bus accident claims often involve multiple insurance companies, with each one looking to minimize what it owes. We handle negotiations with these insurers directly and won’t hesitate to file suit if necessary to pursue the compensation you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Bus Accidents in Virginia

Bus accident claims raise many questions, especially when a public entity or large company is involved. Below are answers to some of the questions we hear most often from bus accident victims and their families in Virginia: 

How long will it take for my bus accident case?

Case timelines vary depending on factors like the severity of your injuries, the number of parties involved, and whether the case is settled or goes to trial. Our team works efficiently while making sure we don’t rush your case at the expense of a fair payout.

I didn’t go to the ER right away. Is it too late to make a claim?

No. You should seek medical care right away and talk to an attorney at Marks & Harrison about your rights and legal options as soon as possible.

I had injuries before this accident. Will that prevent me from recovering compensation?

Not necessarily. Virginia law allows you to recover compensation for the aggravation of pre-existing conditions resulting from the bus crash.

I’m still getting medical treatment. Should I wait to talk to a lawyer?

No. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better. At Marks & Harrison, we can get to work right away on preserving evidence and protecting your rights, all while you continue your treatment.

Can I bring a claim if my child was hurt in a school bus crash?

Yes. Parents can pursue claims on behalf of injured children. Our firm has secured significant results for parents in cases involving children who suffered injuries in school bus accidents.

What if I were partly at fault by stepping into the road too quickly?

The insurance company may argue contributory negligence. However, don’t give up on protecting your rights and seeking compensation even if you believe you may have contributed to your injuries. You should allow an attorney at Marks & Harrison to review your case before accepting any blame or giving statements to any insurers.

The insurance company already offered me money. Should I take it?

Talk to an attorney before you accept anything. Early settlement offers often fall far short of what your claim is truly worth.

How much does it cost to hire a Virginia bus accident lawyer?

Marks & Harrison handles bus accident cases, as in our other personal injury cases, on a contingency fee basis. We will handle the costs of your case upfront, and you will owe no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you after your bus accident.

Get Help from an Experienced Virginia Bus Accident Lawyer

For more than a century, Marks & Harrison has fought for those throughout Virginia who suffer harm due to the negligence of others, including bus drivers, transit companies, and government agencies that operate buses on our roads.

We’re proud to have secured several significant bus accident verdicts and settlements, including: 

  • A $2,500,000 confidential wrongful death payout following the death of a 16-year-old in a school bus crash
  • A $1,750,000 recovery in the Circuit Court of the County of Louisa after a child died in a school bus wreck
  • A $1,600,000 verdict in the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond for a child who lost an ear in a school bus collision
  • A $900,000 recovery in Caroline County for a client who suffered multiple spinal injuries after a bus company failed to properly secure the client’s wheelchair

Our clients consistently tell us how much our dedication means to them. Here’s what one client had to share about their experience with our firm:

“Marks and Harrison really cares about their clients! Highly recommend reaching out if you’ve been in an accident! They’ll get the results you want!”  – Louisa Mauck

If you or a loved one was injured in a bus accident involving the negligence of others, don’t wait to get legal representation and support you need. Contact Marks & Harrison today for a free case evaluation and let our experienced team fight for the recovery you deserve.