Philadelphia Bus Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one suffered serious physical injury or you lost someone close to you in a bus accident, you could be entitled to collect financial recovery. Bus companies and their operators owe a duty to passengers to operate these large vehicles safely on our city streets. When their carelessness or the reckless behavior of other drivers turns an ordinary commute into a sudden tragedy, victims confront a difficult path when trying to establish legal liability. The Philadelphia bus accident attorneys at Quinn Law Group are completely committed to assisting victims as they pursue the fair compensation they deserve.

Backed by extensive resources and a proven record of courtroom success, our personal injury lawyers stand ready to manage complex bus accident litigation. We routinely go up against skilled defense firms representing massive bus lines and their commercial insurance providers. Founder Sean Quinn provides the sophisticated, aggressive advocacy required for these intricate cases, bringing over 20 years of trial and litigation experience representing injury victims across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Over his distinguished career, he has secured millions of dollars for clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases, including notable outcomes in high-stakes claims like $4.25 million and $2.4 million recoveries.

Bus Accidents in Philadelphia

A motorbus resembles a moving fortress on the highway, and once people step on board, passengers place their physical safety entirely in the hands of professional, licensed bus drivers and the transit organizations that employ them. Given these obvious structural layers of protection, bus accidents occur with much less frequency than standard passenger car collisions across the commonwealth. However, when a massive commercial transport vehicle is involved, the mistakes of bus operators often lead to much more catastrophic, large-scale accidents. Even in situations where a crash involves other motorists, bicyclists, or pedestrians who might share a portion of the blame, legal liability can still exist to support a personal injury claim based upon the specific actions or inactions of the person behind the wheel of the bus.

Our bus accident attorneys possess a wealth of courtroom experience and a history of success handling claims where people are experiencing life-altering injuries. Put that deep knowledge of regional insurance rules and transit liability to work for your family. Call our office for a free consultation or message us online to discuss your options.

Common Causes of Philly Bus Crashes

According to data compiled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), bus crashes kill hundreds of individuals and cause severe harm to thousands of others every single year. Most of these public transit collisions stem directly from a bus driver’s complete failure to recognize a developing hazard on the road or a failure to react appropriately to avoid a collision. Other common causes of bus accident injuries include the following:

• Inattention and cell phone distraction
• Extreme operator fatigue
• Sudden commercial bus fires
• Total brake failure
• Excessive speed for traffic conditions
• Disregarding severe weather conditions
• Obstructed windshield views
• Illegal lane changes and maneuvers
• Underlying hearing or vision problems
• Inadequate evasive action during a crisis
• Defective vehicle equipment
• Improper fleet maintenance
• Driving under the influence of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication, or alcohol

This extensive list demonstrates that a significant portion of major bus accidents are entirely avoidable if proper safety protocols are maintained. To examine just how preventable these commercial vehicle collisions truly are, federal agencies collected comprehensive data regarding transit buses in the largest national safety studies ever conducted. The compiled data revealed that human error was directly responsible for 90% of all fatal crashes, and most frequently, it was the individual operating the bus who was found at fault for the impact.

Types of Buses Involved in Accidents

Just as every root cause of a collision involves unique circumstances, there are various distinct types of transit vehicles operating on local roads today. Depending heavily on the specific classification of the bus involved, distinct federal safety regulations or localized state laws will apply to the legal claim.

School Buses

Of all the different types of buses traveling through our neighborhoods, school buses are statistically among the most likely to be involved in a fatal accident, even though modern safety standards mean schoolchildren are increasingly protected by high-backed seats and specialized restraints. School bus drivers owe a heightened, specific duty of care to the young children they transport to and from classes every day. For example, in Pennsylvania, vehicle codes dictate that bus drivers must exercise extreme care to ensure children cross the street safely without danger from passing traffic. In certain circumstances, failing to properly instruct children on how to cross or a failure to properly deploy stop arms to alert other motorists can form the legal basis for a personal injury lawsuit if a child suffers harm.

City Buses

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) controls a massive regional fleet of transit vehicles, moving hundreds of thousands of commuters daily through the metropolitan area, while New Jersey Transit buses routinely bridge the commute across the Delaware River. Overall, utilizing these city buses represents a relatively stable and efficient way to commute to work or school. Even still, routing such a massive volume of commuter traffic through dense urban corridors inevitably translates to serious injuries and unexpected fatalities every year across Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Private Bus Companies

Private buses represent a broad, diverse commercial category that includes interstate tour buses, private charter buses, airport shuttles, and even 15-passenger commercial vans. A major underlying issue for multiple corporate bus lines involves negligent hiring practices, inadequate background checks, and a blatant disregard for federal hours-of-service safety regulations. When corporate bus lines fail to comply with strict government safety standards, the risk of an operational accident and passenger injury skyrockets immediately. For example, commercial carrier companies flagged by federal transportation safety investigators for poor safety scores were nearly 89% more likely to be involved in a highway crash. For smaller regional operators with limited fleets, that statistical risk can more than double, and no regulatory violation predicts a future collision better than repeated citations for unsafe driving behaviors on the road. Tragically, corporate bus lines ignoring basic safety standards remains an all-too-common reality in the commercial transport industry, where profit margins are frequently prioritized over passenger safety. Legislative investigations into commercial transport operations routinely uncover a high percentage of operators carrying severe violations that require immediate government intervention. Multiple egregious safety offenders continue to operate right up until they are involved in recent crashes that cause mass injury or wrongful death.

Common Injuries Associated with Bus Accidents

Given the sheer physical size, structural weight, and high occupancy levels of modern commercial transit vehicles, the bodily harm sustained during an impact can be completely life-threatening. Common injuries include the following:

• Complete or partial paralysis
• Permanent physical disfigurement
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Severe back and neck injuries
• Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
• Severe friction or chemical burns

Responsible Parties

Bus accident litigation can become exceptionally complex very quickly given the sheer number and corporate sophistication of the various entities involved. For example, federal transportation laws require private motorcoach lines to carry at least $5 million in commercial liability insurance coverage to operate across state lines. This substantial financial exposure means they are immediately backed by highly skilled insurance defense firms and corporate lawyers who will fight aggressively to minimize payouts. As for public city transit vehicles, additional strict timing rules, sovereign immunity caps, and specialized administrative filing requirements represent major obstacles for victims trying to assert a formal injury claim. Lawsuits in these matters can involve multiple co-defendants, including the following:

• The individual bus driver
• The bus company as the owner or operator of the fleet
• Component parts and equipment manufacturers
• Other negligent motorists on the road
• Local government entities and public employees

Due to the heavy layers of corporate structure, corporate deniability, and shifting liability in these cases, having a skilled and experienced Philadelphia bus accident lawyer on your side is highly beneficial.

What Damages Can I Recover?

There are many forms of economic and non-economic compensation that you could be entitled to recover through a legal claim as a direct result of your bus accident, including but not limited to:

• Past and future medical bills from hospitals and specialists
• Direct doctor’s bills
• Inpatient hospital bills
• Advanced diagnostic testing and imaging
• Long-term physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages from missed time at work
• Future earning potential modifications
• Loss of consortium and familial support
• Loss of life’s pleasures and the general enjoyment of activities
• Physical pain and suffering
• Punitive damages in cases of gross corporate negligence
• Miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses stemming from the crash

Speak With a Philadelphia Bus Accident Lawyer Today

Sean Quinn’s professional excellence is reflected in a perfect 10.0 Avvo rating, recognition by Super Lawyers in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including Top 100 honors, and selection to the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 and Top 100 Trial Lawyers. Our law firm utilizes a client-focused approach with personalized attention, limiting our caseloads intentionally so we can dedicate maximum resources toward achieving top results for every individual we represent. Contact Quinn Law Group today at (215) 360-3666 to discuss your case.

Testimonials

More testimonials