Pittsburgh Bus Accident Lawyer

Were You Involved in a Bus Accident in Pittsburgh? Let Munley Law Help

Travel by bus is a popular and widely used mode of transportation throughout the country. Buses offer several advantages, including affordability, accessibility, and the environmentally friendly ability to carry a large number of passengers all at once.

Despite the benefits, as with all vehicles, buses are not immune to accidents. Furthermore, due to their size and the potential number of people traveling on a bus, the consequences of a bus accident can be devastating.

If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a bus accident in Pittsburgh, call our experienced bus accident attorneys at Munley Laws Pittsburgh Personal Injury Attorneys to discuss your options. Our team of bus injury lawyers possesses significant expertise in handling bus accident cases, and we have successfully represented clients against major bus companies throughout the country.

$32 Million Wrongful Death

$26 Million Truck Accident

$17.5 Million Car Accident

$12 Million Product Liability

$9 Million Truck Accident

$8 Million Truck Accident

$7.5 Million Auto Accident

$6.9 Million Garbage Truck Accident

$6.5 Million Traumatic Brain Injury

$5 Million Medical Malpractice

$5 Million Bus Accidents

What Are the Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Pittsburgh?

The most common causes of bus accidents in the Steel City include:

Driver Fatigue

Fatigue can significantly impact a driver’s abilities, leading to decreased reaction times, impaired judgment, reduced attention span, and compromised decision-making skills. Likewise, this can make it difficult to stay alert, recognize hazards, and respond appropriately on the road.

The United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets limits on the hours passenger-carrying drivers can operate their vehicles. Unfortunately, these parameters are not always observed, putting bus drivers at risk for fatigue and accidents.

Distracted Driving

The Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) describe distracted driving as “doing another activity that takes the driver’s attention away from driving. Distracted driving can increase the chance of a motor vehicle crash.” They report that according to a study done in 2021, “nine people in the United States are killed every day in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver.”

The most important job of a bus driver is to be attentive and to safely navigate the roads in accordance with traffic regulations. Distracted driving, including activities like mobile phone use, eating, or grooming, diverts a driver’s focus from the road. These distractions make reaction times slower and greatly increase the risk of catastrophic accidents.

Defective Parts

Bus accidents can also occur due to a defective or hazardous component used during the manufacturing process, which can lead to the failure of a part earlier than anticipated. In such cases, if an accident is caused by a defective part, the court may hold the manufacturer of that part accountable for the incident.
Dangerous Road Conditions:

Poorly maintained roads, construction zones, inclement weather, or inadequate signage can contribute to bus accidents.

Who is at Fault in a Bus Accident?

Man riding on a bus in Pittsburgh

Determining liability in a bus accident can be tricky due to the potential involvement of multiple parties including the bus driver, bus company or operator, bus manufacturer, maintenance company, or other drivers. Liability may vary depending on factors such as negligence, employment relationship, contractual obligations, or, in the case of public transportation, government involvement.

In the aftermath of a bus accident, it’s common for many bus companies to have a tough legal defense and the support of insurance companies. Their lawyers may use aggressive tactics to pressure and intimidate victims into accepting insufficient compensation for their injuries.

Establishing who is responsible for the accident requires thorough investigations, gathering evidence, obtaining witness statements, and potentially going to court. It’s in your best interest to seek legal counsel from a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who specializes in bus accidents case to ensure your rights are protected and your case is handled effectively. Having an experienced and dedicated personal injury attorney on your side can help level the playing field and ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the accident. As the victim, an attorney can negotiate on your behalf, gather evidence, assess the true value of their claim, and provide the necessary legal support to counter the tactics employed by the bus company’s lawyers and insurance representatives.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys are leading experts in the field of bus accidents. Our attorneys have a national reputation for excellence and success, and we are here to advocate for you during this difficult time.

Steps to Take After a Pittsburgh Bus Accident

When an accident occurs, even if you feel fine initially, it is important to remember that some injuries may not be immediately apparent or may worsen over time. Seeking medical attention allows healthcare professionals to evaluate your condition thoroughly, diagnose any injuries, and provide appropriate treatment. Additionally, prompt medical attention ensures that documentation of your injuries and their connection to the accident is established, which can be vital for any potential legal or insurance claims. Once you have been checked out, follow these steps:

Document the scene:

If possible, gather evidence at the accident scene, including taking photographs or videos of the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Gathering evidence at the accident scene can help preserve the immediate aftermath of the accident, providing a clear representation of the physical damage to the vehicles and the surrounding environment. These visuals can support your account of the incident and provide valuable evidence during any legal or insurance proceedings.

Obtain witness information:

If there were witnesses to the accident, gather their names and contact information. Their testimonies may be valuable later. When an accident occurs, having the names and contact information of witnesses can be instrumental in supporting your account of the incident. Witnesses may provide important details, perspectives, or observations that can help establish liability or clarify the sequence of events. If you are involved in a bus accident in the transit there should be plenty of witnesses.
Consult with a bus accident lawyer
Contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for an experienced personal injury lawyer who specializes in bus accidents. Our attorneys can guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and help you seek compensation for your injuries and damages.

Is There a Deadline to Filing a Bus Accident Claim?

Under the laws of Pennsylvania, pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(2), the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is two years. This means that if you are injured in a bus accident, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in order to seek compensation for your injuries.

There are exceptions, however, to this statute. Personal injury lawsuits arising from injuries to an unemancipated minor who is not completely self-supporting have a statute of limitations of two years that starts from the day the minor turns 18. In other words, individuals have until they are 20 years old to file a lawsuit for personal injuries that occurred before they turned 18.

What Compensation is a Pittsburgh Bus Accident Victim Entitled to?

Once the Pittsburgh bus accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys prove that the other party was negligent and caused the accident that harmed you, they will then fight to pursue compensation for your injuries.

Under Pennsylvania law, individuals who are victims of bus accidents have the right to seek compensation for the injuries they have suffered and the expenses they have incurred as a result. This compensation includes both economic and non-economic damages, and an experienced attorney will advocate for the following types of damages on behalf of the victim:
Economic damages
These are the quantifiable financial losses resulting from the bus accident. They typically include:

Medical Expenses: Compensation for the cost of medical treatments, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, rehabilitation, and any future medical needs related to the injuries sustained in the accident.
Lost Wages: Compensation for the income lost due to the inability to work during the recovery period, as well as any potential future loss of earning capacity caused by the injuries.
Property Damage: Compensation for the repair or replacement of any personal property, such as vehicles or belongings, damaged in the bus accident.
Other Financial Losses: Compensation for out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident, such as transportation costs for medical appointments or home modifications necessitated by the injuries.

Non-economic damages:

These damages are less tangible and are intended to compensate for the non-financial impacts of the bus accident. They typically include:

Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish resulting from the injuries and their impact on the victim’s quality of life.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the inability to participate in activities or hobbies that were enjoyed prior to the accident due to the injuries sustained.
Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the negative impact the injuries have on the victim’s relationship with their spouse, including the loss of companionship, affection, and intimacy.
Disfigurement or Disability: Compensation for any permanent scarring, disfigurement, or disabilities resulting from the bus accident.

Punitive damages

Negligent parties can be required to pay punitive damages, which are distinct from the damages awarded to the victim. Punitive damages are intended to discourage the defendant from repeating the same wrongful behavior in the future. However, for punitive damages to be awarded, the attorney must demonstrate that the defendant engaged in willful negligence or malicious conduct.

Contact Munley Law Bus Accident Attorneys Today to Represent You

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys’ Pittsburgh bus accident injury lawyers have been nationally recognized for their expert litigation and have a proven track record of securing multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts. Munley Law bus accident attorney can assist victims and their loved ones in obtaining the highest possible compensation for expenses related to medical bills, long-term therapy, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

To have your case reviewed for free, reach out to us via phone, chat, or our web form. We will help guide you through your claim to see if you are liable for free if you were involved in a bus crash. Our Pittsburgh bus accident attorneys will discuss your legal options for obtaining compensation for your losses. With Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we guarantee you will receive the best representation available. Our lawyers are nationally renowned truck accident legal experts, and that is precisely the level of expertise you need to handle your case. Contact us today and let us fight for you.

Types of Pittsburgh Personal Injury Claims We Handle

There are many different types of personal injury cases. When choosing a Pittsburgh injury lawyer to represent you, it’s important to find someone who has handled cases like yours. Munley Law has successfully secured compensation for victims of the following types of personal injury cases:

Do I Have A Case?

If you think you may have a personal injury case, contact us now for a FREE consultation.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

510 Third Avenue
2nd Floor,
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
+14125345133