Bus Accidents

Experienced advocacy for passengers who are injured in a Vancouver, WA bus accident

At Philbrook Law, our Vancouver bus accident lawyers have the experience and resources to show how bus accidents happen, why they’re preventable, and who is responsible. Our record of successful litigation of bus accident claims includes a $82,500 award for a man who suffered neck, shoulder, and back injuries after being injured in a rear-end collision with a school bus.

How do you advocate for bus accident victims in Vancouver, WA?

At Philbrook Law, our Vancouver bus accident lawyers work with the police, other government officials, and our own investigators to determine how your bus accident happened and who is responsible. We also question every defendant, every witness, and anyone who might have information about the bus accident.

We understand the unique laws (including common carrier laws) and duties that apply to bus drivers, bus companies, and governmental agencies that operate bus services.

Some of the common causes of bus accidents include:

• Distracted driving. Bus drivers or other drivers who text, speak on a cell phone, look at a GPS instead of listening to a GPS, eat, drink, brush their hair, apply makeup, look at the other people in the car, or take their eyes off the road and hands off the wheel for any reason are a danger to themselves and others. Bus drivers, especially school bus drivers, can become distracted if any of the passengers become unruly.
• Speeding. Generally, the speed limit near schools is reduced. The speed limit in most school zones in Vancouver and Battle Ground is 20 mph. Some conditions may apply, such as that children must be present or the sign must be flashing to indicate school is in session, and a slower speed is required.
• Driving too fast for conditions. Bus drivers (school and private drivers) need a commercial driver’s license because driving a bus is difficult and because there are passengers on board. Bus drivers need to be sure they can control their bus in bad weather, on slick roads, when turning, and when traffic is congested.
• Driving while tired. Many school bus drivers pick up students very early in the morning. Private bus drivers often drive long distances, sometimes into the late hours of the night. Bus drivers need to be properly rested at all times.

Other causes of bus accidents include driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving through stop signs or red lights, failing to yield the right of way, and other traffic conditions.

Bus drivers need to ensure that they stop at designated bus stops. Drivers need to assist riders who have disabilities. Car drivers who are waiting while passengers enter or exit a bus must make sure everyone is on the bus or is in a safe spot when driving behind a bus or passing a bus.

What types of buses are involved in Vancouver, WA bus accidents?

There are many different types of buses that operate in Vancouver and Battle Ground. These buses include:

• School buses. Vancouver Public Schools operates 162 buses that transport 16,000 students every school day. The buses travel about two million miles every year.
• Municipal buses. The Vine is a Vancouver transit service operated by C-Tran. The two lines are the Green Line which runs from Vancouver to the Vancouver Mall, and the Red Line which runs from center city Vancouver to the eastern suburbs.
• Private bus companies such as Greyhound buses.
• Private tour and charter buses.

Our Vancouver bus accident lawyers represent personal injury accident victims and the families of anyone killed in a bus accident. We handle all types of bus accidents, including broadsides, head-on crashes, rear-end collisions, rollovers, wide-turn accidents, single-vehicle accidents, multiple-vehicle accidents, and other serious accidents.

How common are school bus accidents?

According to the National Safety Council, 108 people died in school bus accidents in 2021. School bus accidents include accidents while the bus is moving and while children are getting onto or off the bus. Sixteen percent of bus accident deaths involved pedestrians and three percent involved bicycle riders. Many of the people killed were passengers in vehicles other than the school bus. Nationwide, nearly 490,000 yellow school buses were in operation nationwide during the 2021-2022 school year.

Who is responsible for a Vancouver, WA bus accident?

At Philbrook Law, our Vancouver bus accident lawyers file personal injury and wrongful death claims against all responsible parties. The defendants may include:

• The bus driver
• The driver of another vehicle
• The owner of the bus or the other vehicle
• The bus driver’s employer or the other driver’s employer
• The Washington Department of Transportation, Vancouver Public Schools, or any other governmental agency responsible for municipal or school bus services
• The manufacturer of any defective bus parts

What types of injuries do bus accidents cause?

Bus accidents often involve multiple victims. The victims often suffer catastrophic, permanent, or severe injuries because of the weight and mass of a bus. Many buses don’t have seat belts or airbags. The passengers can collide with each other.

Our Vancouver personal injury lawyers work with your doctors and our own network of doctors to fully show the severity of your injuries, the possible complications, the medical care you’ll need, and the cost of the care.

Common bus accident injuries include:

• Spinal cord damage and paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries and head trauma
• Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
• Neck, back, and shoulder injuries
• Broken bones/fractures
• Burn injuries
• Nerve, tissue, ligament, muscle, and tendon damage
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Psychological trauma
• Internal organ damage

Children are especially prone to serious injuries and complications due to their small size and continued growth into adulthood.

Our Vancouver bus accident lawyers demand compensation for each victim’s pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost income, and any other damages such as property damage and scarring and disfigurement damages. We file wrongful death claims if a loved one died in a Vancouver bus accident.

Do you have a Vancouver, WA bus accident lawyer near me?

Philbrook Law meets clients at our offices located in:

• Vancouver, WA. 300 W. 39th Street
• Portland, OR. 107 SE Washington St.

We serve clients in the greater Portland area and throughout Oregon and Washington.

If you are too injured or hurt to come to our office, we will meet you in a hospital, another medical facility, or your home. Our personal injury lawyers also offer virtual conferences and telephone consultations.

Contact Philbrook Law today to discuss your Vancouver bus accident claim

Children and adults place their trust in bus drivers and bus companies. When that trust is broken, injured passengers and the families of anyone killed in a bus accident deserve compensation for their injuries and loss. Our Philbrook bus accident lawyers are skilled at negotiating settlements and arguing your rights before juries. To schedule a consultation at one of our offices in Vancouver or Oregon, OR, please call us or complete our contact form.

We also represent injury victims and families in the greater Portland area and throughout Oregon. Personal injury consultations are free. We handle bus accident claims on a contingency fee basis.

Rated 5 Stars by Our Clients

Read firsthand accounts from the clients our personal injury attorneys have represented in complex personal injury claims.

“You will not be disappointed. After my first meeting with Matthew I felt confident they were the team for my case. Tiffany provided great communication and assistance during the info gathering phase and also throughout the settlement phase. Thank you so much for going the extra mile.”

“They were able to find his insurance. I highly recommend hiring Matt and Tiffany. They took all of the insurance stress off my shoulders so I could concentrate on helping my son who had many broken bones and surgeries.”

“I reached out to them and within minutes, we had a great conversation. You can tell how much they care about their clients. They also went above and beyond to get the best results for my situation. Would highly recommend. You won't find anyone better!”

“Amanda especially was such a huge help. They handled two back-to-back car accident settlements for me, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. The entire team was professional, responsive, and made the whole process smooth and stress-free. I truly appreciate their hard work and highly recommend them!”

“Not our fault! The other driver turned left in front of as after he was waved on by another driver. We both had minor to moderate injuries. Our Ford F150 Lightning became undriveable. We went to urgent care! One year later, we were having difficulty in reaching a settlement with the other drivers insurance company after they gave us a low offer. We felt we needed legal advice or assistance. We met with Tiffany Henson, who reviewed our case. She gave us the advice we needed to negotiate with the other insurance, rather than try to take it to court. Tiffany offered to review our letter and gave us further advise. After the insurance company reviewed our letter and statements they doubled the settlement amount and made all of the stipulations we had requested! We can not thank Tiffany enough for her caring personable attitude toward us. Her advise was right on and saved us from more anxiety and stress. If you have an injury accident do not hesitate to contact Philbrook attorneys. They will treat you right.”

“That’s how great these people are. Driving home one night in my shiny new car I was suddenly sandwiched inbetween 2 much larger vehicles. The damage didn’t seem like much at first, but ended up being four years of treatment & life long conservative care. I wasn’t a case that was easy to get treatment for and I felt very lost before I was recommended the Philbrook law team. I actually fired an attorney who had left me with more questions than answers and hired this office. It was the best choice I could have made for myself. They stood by me every step of the way. Thousands of questions and appointments all the way to discovery and settlements. I have recommended them to hundreds of people and will continue to at any given chance. Not once in 4 years did I question if I was in good hands. They really go above and beyond for their clients and I can’t thank them enough. I truly miss hearing from them. I’m sure not everyone can say that about their attorneys. Give them a call, you won’t regret it.”

“I had never needed to hire a lawyer for anything so I didn't know what to expect and I was nervous. Matt and his team were awesome. They helped me throughout the whole process with every question and concern. They were timely, knowledgeable, patient and courteous. I appreciate the hard work everyone contributed to my case and getting me a fair settlement.”

“They did everything to get what I deserved, They work for the best of my interest, and I really have the best experience with her, everyone in there is very polite and respectful. I hope that I will never have the need to hired them again but if I have to I will. If you're reading this review and you're looking a lawyer to represent you in a car accident matter, then don't look any further, they are the best.”

“My recovery treatment took well over a year and took up a lot of time outside of other life stuff. Once they took over my case, a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders and they took on all the burden from there on out. My insurance tried to settle for an absurdly low offer and Philbrook law got a settlement beyond my imagination. And they made it so quick and easy. I would recommend Philbrook law to anyone needing an accident lawyer. They were so efficient and stayed in touch through the whole process. Their whole team works hard to ensure people get the justice they deserve. Couldn't be happy with my settlement outcome!”

“It was very thoughtful, kind and helpful to have good advice, especially after asking another local firm and them not knowing what to do! I will definitely use this law firm in the future. Thank you!”

~ D. Pierce

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