Seattle Bus Accident Lawyer
While buses and public transportation can offer many benefits, they can lead to serious accidents and severe injuries for others. Yet, the bottom line is simple – a Seattle bus accident attorney from Elk & Elk is essential if you or a loved one is involved in an accident. An attorney from our Seattle injury law firm can help you recover the compensation you need if you have been injured in a bus or public transportation accident caused by the actions of someone else.
Why Choose a Seattle Bus Accident Attorney From Elk & Elk?
- Experienced in Seattle Auto Accidents: Our Seattle bus accident attorneys have experience with all types of auto accidents in the Seattle area, giving us an upper hand and superior knowledge when taking on your case.
- Proven Track Record of Success: We have secured millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, maintaining a strong record of winning cases and achieving favorable outcomes.
- Comprehensive Legal Strategy: By collaborating with attorneys across various legal specialties, we create a well-rounded approach to your case, ensuring the best possible results for you or your loved one.
- Fight for Fair Compensation: Using their expertise in bus and public transportation law, your attorney will aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve for your losses.
How Many Bus Accidents Happen Each Year in Washington?
According to Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) data, there were 848 bus accidents across the state of Washington in 2024 with 212 injuries. King County alone reported 308 of those bus accidents, including 95 injuries. Narrowing down the scope even further, Seattle reported 122 bus accident crashes with 50 reported injuries.
As the WSDOT data shows, it is not all that uncommon to be involved in a bus accident in the Seattle region or the state of Washington. The injuries endured by those involved may be minor, life-threatening, or fatal, but they all still require legal action to regain compensation for damages and hidden costs that one may not anticipate after being struck by any form of public transportation.
Who Is At Fault In A Bus Accident in Seattle?
Bus accidents in Seattle can involve several potentially liable parties. Bus drivers are responsible for operating their vehicles safely, but accidents can also stem from negligence by the bus company, such as poor maintenance or inadequate training. These entities can include but aren’t limited to:
In some cases, other drivers or even government entities may be at fault due to hazardous road conditions or defective infrastructure. Determining liability can be complex, which is why having an experienced bus accident attorney by your side is essential. Our dedicated Seattle bus accident lawyers are here to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Understanding Common Carrier Laws in Washington State
The term common carrier refers to individuals, businesses, or government bodies that transport large groups of people and do so on a routine basis. Some of the most common include charter bus systems or airlines. It could include local bus systems, taxi services, and ships, too.
As common carriers, Washington State laws require that these providers maintain the highest level of safety possible for those patrons they provide services to on a routine basis. They are held to a higher standard. In order to provide these services, the organization must obtain a permit from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. There are a significant number of steps to take to do so and, ultimately, various rules that must be followed by these carriers to maintain their ability to provide such services.
That also means that if the common carrier does not meet those standards, it may be possible to prove they are negligent, which could help you recover more of the damages you suffered in an accident.
The complexities of common carriers are that most are owned by very powerful organizations, such as government agencies or private companies. That means they have highly skilled insurance adjusters and attorneys working against you to limit your ability to recover damages in these cases. This makes it even more important that you have a highly skilled Seattle bus accident lawyer on your side to navigate your rights.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bus Accident Claim in Seattle?
After a bus accident, you may wish to focus on your recovery from your injuries, but there are time limits you must consider as well. Specifically, the Washington statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is a set amount of time that you have after your accident to take action to file a lawsuit against the party that you believe is responsible for your losses.
In Washington State, the statute of limitations for filing a claim against an at-fault party in a bus accident is three years from the date of the accident under RCW 4.16.080. In most situations, if you wait beyond that three-year period, the court will not listen to your case and instead will dismiss it. That means there is no way to hold those who caused this injury to you accountable.
There are other rules to consider as well.
If you are filing an accident claim against a government-run organization, whether it is an agency or an entity of another type, you must act within just 60 days under RCW 4.96.020. During this time, you must file your claim or contact the agency to report the accident. That can be highly limiting in some situations.
In all situations, it is best to work with a bus accident lawyer in Seattle who can help protect your rights in your case. That means acting quickly. If you wait, the evidence to support your case becomes harder to find, and witnesses may not remember what they told you. For that reason, we recommend seeking out an attorney for your bus accident injury right away and allowing us to pursue legal action as soon as possible. We do not encourage you to simply file a claim because doing so often means you may not know what all of your losses are. Let us help you instead.
Contact Our Seattle Bus Accident Lawyer Today
The days, weeks, and months following a public transportation accident can be described as nothing short of excruciatingly difficult. Knowing who to turn to and what steps to take while dealing with the mental and physical implications of an auto accident can feel debilitating.
That is exactly where our Seattle bus accident attorney at Elk & Elk can step in. Maintaining an incredible amount of professionalism and empathy, our firm is dedicated to the thorough review of all cases that we are presented with. Our Seattle bus accident attorneys are here to ensure you walk away confident in the abilities of your lawyer. If you or a loved one has been involved in a bus or public transport accident, please consider calling 1-844-ELK-WEST (1-844-355-9378) or fill out our online contact form.