Pendergast Law Personal Injury Lawyers

Free Consultations  |  Phones Answered 24/7

Pendergast Law Personal Injury Lawyers

Free Consultations  |  Phones Answered 24/7

Committed to helping you heal while we recover.

Helping Families Who’ve Lost Loved Ones In Tragic Bus Accidents

When a car or pedestrian is hit by a bus, the injuries are often catastrophic or fatal. Bus drivers are required to undergo specialized training and certification before being legally allowed to operate buses. Unfortunately, the training means nothing if the driver is texting, tired, drunk or speeding or fails to operate the vehicle safely.

If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal bus accident, you may feel it is important that the responsible party be held accountable. At Pendergast Law, we couldn’t agree more. We represent the families of innocent people who lost their lives through an act of negligence, including in bus accidents, and we take our duty to the grieving family very seriously. Our award-winning team immediately goes on the offensive, investigating every detail of the accident and moving forward with a claim or lawsuit to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Determining The Cause Of A Fatal Bus Crash

The first step in filing a wrongful death case is determining liability. In many cases, it’s not just one person or organization – it may be a combination of the driver, bus company, and even bus and part manufacturers. Some of the common causes of fatal bus crashes include:

  • Distracted driving (texting, eating, talking or otherwise having attention off the road)
  • Driving under the influence
  • Driving while fatigued
  • Poorly maintained roads
  • Manufacturing defects
  • Insufficient or improper bus maintenance
  • Inadequate training and lack of experience

A full investigation of the facts in the collision must be performed, particularly in cases involving fatal injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is often involved in investigating fatal bus accidents, issuing an analysis in six to eight weeks. The NTSB report, police report and other evidence is powerful support for a wrongful death claim.

Bus Accidents: The Statistics

In a recent year, a bus driver was caught texting while driving his bus for six minutes up until he rear-ended a driver in front of him. His bus was equipped with a camera that caught him on tape, a perfect example of what happens every day throughout the U.S. Some of the statistics on bus accidents include:

  • Every year, about 63,000 accidents occur that involve buses
  • Of those 63,000, 325 of them involved fatal injuries
  • Of those 325 fatalities, 275 were pedestrians or other drivers impacted by buses

What Your Case May Be Worth

When a loved one is killed in a fatal bus accident due to the negligence of another party, the close family members can pursue wrongful death compensation. While we understand that no amount of money can balance the loss of a spouse, child, sister, brother or other loved one, compensation can help ease the burden and help the family move forward. Wrongful death compensation usually includes:

Economic Damages:

  • The costs of medical care prior to death
  • Funeral and burial costs
  • Loss of the victim’s earnings
  • Lost benefits (such as medical coverage, pension plans and others)
  • Personal support that the victim would have provided to the family

Noneconomic Damages

  • Emotional anguish, pain and suffering
  • Loss of the care, companionship and protection of a loved one
  • Lowered quality of life due to the absence of a loved one
  • Loss of consortium (the unique loss of a spouse losing their significant other)

Let Pendergast Law Help You

If you and your family have suffered the loss of a loved one in a bus accident, the first step to take is to retain an experienced Seattle wrongful death attorney. Insurance companies may try to take advantage of the confusion and grief you’re experiencing and offer to settle your claim for a fraction of what you deserve.

At Pendergast Law, we provide the personal and legal assistance you need, taking on the responsibility of seeking compensation so that you can grieve in peace while we fight to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. We offer a no-fee guarantee, meaning that you owe us no legal fees unless we win your case. Contact us today toll-free at 888-539-9211 to schedule a free consultation.

Backed by our
No Fee Promise

Learn more

Read Our
Client Reviews

Learn more