Buses carry thousands of people through Philadelphia and South Jersey every day: commuters on SEPTA and NJ Transit, children on school buses, travelers on intercity and charter coaches and passengers on airport and hotel shuttles. Because of their size and weight, buses can cause devastating harm when something goes wrong, not only to passengers but also to pedestrians, cyclists and people in other vehicles.
Wieand Parker Arreola, PLLC, represents people seriously injured in bus accidents and the families of those killed, throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Our Philadelphia bus accident lawyers act quickly to preserve evidence, meet the strict notice deadlines that apply to many bus claims and pursue every responsible party. Call (215) 666-7777 for a free, confidential consultation.
SEPTA buses share crowded city streets with cars, bikes and pedestrians, and riders are often standing when a bus brakes or turns. Injuries can come from collisions, sudden stops, doors closing on passengers, falls while boarding and pedestrians struck in crosswalks. We also represent people hurt on NJ Transit and other public buses. Learn more on our SEPTA accident and NJ Transit accident pages.
School bus crashes can involve district-operated buses or private contractors that transport students. Claims may arise from driver error, poor maintenance, unsafe stops, inadequate supervision or drivers who pass a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing.
Motorcoaches on long-distance routes and charter trips carry many passengers at highway speeds. Driver fatigue, tight schedules, poor maintenance and rollovers can cause catastrophic injuries. Interstate passenger carriers must follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules on driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle inspections and insurance.
Airport, hotel, hospital, university, casino and employer shuttles are often run by private companies or contractors. Their drivers, training and maintenance practices can vary widely, and the owner of the shuttle may be different from the company that operates it.
Bus companies and transit agencies are generally treated as common carriers, which means they owe passengers a high duty of care. Depending on the facts, responsible parties may include:
Claims against government-run transit systems and public school districts follow special rules that can catch injured people off guard:
Missing these deadlines can end a claim before it starts. If a public bus was involved, speak with a lawyer right away.
Buses are often equipped with interior and exterior cameras, GPS tracking and electronic data recorders, but that footage and data may be overwritten if no one asks for it promptly. We send preservation letters immediately and gather surveillance video, driver logs and records, maintenance and inspection files, dispatch communications, police reports and witness statements. When needed, we work with accident reconstruction and trucking safety experts.
Bus accidents often cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones and other serious harm. Depending on the case, you may recover:
Most injury claims in Pennsylvania and New Jersey must be filed within two years. If a SEPTA bus, NJ Transit bus or public school bus was involved, much shorter notice deadlines usually apply: generally six months in Pennsylvania and 90 days in New Jersey.
Yes. Passengers can bring claims against the bus operator and any other driver who caused the crash. Depending on your auto insurance, some benefits may also be available through your own policy.
Pedestrians and cyclists struck by buses often suffer severe injuries and may have claims against the driver, the bus company or transit agency, and anyone else who contributed to the accident.
Yes. Because SEPTA is treated as a Commonwealth agency, Pennsylvania law limits the damages that can be recovered against it. An experienced lawyer can help identify other responsible parties and insurance that may provide additional compensation.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a bus accident, Wieand Parker Arreola, PLLC, can help. We handle bus accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Call (215) 666-7777 or contact us online for a free consultation.
This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
