Detroit Bus Accident Lawyer

Bus Accident Attorney In Detroit

Detroit is a busy city in Michigan, and thousands of people throughout the city rely on public bus transportation every day. While accidents involving buses are statistically rare, they can and do happen unexpectedly in various ways, often with devastating results. If you have been hurt in such an accident, you need to consult a skilled Detroit bus accident lawyer at your first opportunity to discuss your options.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Bus Accident Cases in Detroit, MI

Our personal injury attorney team at Wigod & Falzon have years of experience representing injured clients throughout the Detroit area, and we can apply this experience to your bus accident case. In each case we take, we take time to learn as much as we can about our client, their experience, and the effects their accident has had on their life.

We Individualize Our Strategy to Each Case

Our goal in every case is maximum client recovery and to secure this compensation as efficiently as possible. We know that no two cases are exactly alike, so we develop an individualized legal strategy to address our client’s unique needs. Trust the team at Wigod & Falzon to gather any evidence needed to establish liability for your damages, assess your most viable recovery options, and seek maximum compensation on your behalf.

Do not assume that you can handle your case alone. You may need to file a claim with your own insurance carrier after the accident, or you may need to pursue a civil case against the party responsible for causing the accident. Whatever your situation entails, it is important to hire a bus accident lawyer as quickly as possible after the accident to have the greatest chance of recovering compensation for your losses.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Detroit

It’s possible for bus accidents to happen for the same reasons that all other vehicle accidents happen. In 2024, there were 13,452 bus accidents reported throughout the United States, 511 of which happened in Michigan. The majority of vehicle accidents in the Detroit area happen because of driver negligence, which can take many forms:

• Distracted driving is a common cause of vehicle accidents throughout the United States every year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 3,275 deaths from distracted driving in 2023. Every driver has a duty of care to operate their vehicle attentively at all times, and it is especially crucial for bus drivers to pay attention when operating public transportation buses.
• Speeding is a common cause of accidents and a leading cause of fatal accidents throughout the United States. Bus accidents can be particularly damaging in higher-speed crashes due to the size and weight of these vehicles. All bus drivers are required to abide by posted speed limits at all times.
• Moving violations can disrupt the flow of traffic and easily cause accidents. Illegal turns, improper lane changes, failure to yield the right-of-way, and running red lights or stop signs can potentially result in bus accidents. It’s possible for a bus driver’s or another driver’s moving violation to result in a bus accident in Detroit.

It is also possible for illegal misconduct, like drinking and driving, to result in a serious accident. If a bus driver operates their vehicle under the influence and they cause an accident, it could lead to criminal charges as well as liability for the accident. Your Detroit bus accident lawyer can explain what to expect when it comes to resolving any such accident and how these variables interact with Michigan’s no-fault rule for vehicle accidents.

Understanding the No-Fault Rule for Vehicle Accidents in Michigan

Michigan is a no-fault state for vehicle accidents. This means that when two or more drivers are involved in a crash, each driver would file a claim to their individual auto insurance carriers for compensation, regardless of who was to blame. However, Michigan law does allow a driver to file a civil suit against another driver who caused their accident under certain conditions, specifically if their damages exceed the scope of what their insurance can cover.

If the victim of a vehicle accident in Michigan suffered a serious injury that causes significant impairment to a bodily function, they are likely eligible to pursue a claim against the party who caused the accident. You have one year to file a no-fault claim with the insurance company after the crash, and if your accident happened because of a public transportation authority like the Detroit Department of Transportation, you must serve them a notice within 60 days.

Your Detroit bus accident lawyer at Wigod & Falzon can help you determine your eligibility to seek compensation for your damages through a no-fault auto insurance claim and/or a civil claim against the bus company. It’s important to hire a bus accident lawyer at your first opportunity after the accident to ensure you meet all applicable deadlines for your case.

Claiming Compensation for Damages After a Bus Accident in Detroit

It’s possible for a bus accident to result in serious injuries. In December 2024, a Detroit Department of Transportation bus accident resulted in the hospitalization of four victims. Thankfully, none of them were critically injured. Not all victims are so fortunate, however, and it is possible for a bus accident to cause broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, damage to internal organs, and various minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises.

It’s essential to seek medical treatment right away after your accident, even if you think that you only suffered minor injuries. This will create a medical record showing you promptly sought treatment, and this could be crucial to your forthcoming legal efforts to recover. It’s possible for the injuries from a bus accident to have various long-term or permanent effects, and an injured victim will need to hire a bus accident lawyer to help them recover their damages.

Auto insurance can usually provide compensation for medical expenses, and it may be possible to recover compensation for lost wages as well if your injuries prevent you from working. When filing a no-fault claim with your own auto insurance carrier, the terms of your policy will dictate how much compensation you receive. If you are able to file a claim against the at-fault party, it’s possible to recover more compensation with the help of an attorney.

The victim of a bus accident in Detroit may have grounds to claim compensation for medical expenses, long-term medical treatment costs, lost wages, lost future earning potential, and compensation for the pain and suffering they experienced. Ultimately, these cases are complex in various ways, so it’s crucial to have experienced legal counsel on your side as you begin building your case.

When claiming economic damages like medical expenses and lost income, the plaintiff must show the full scope of such losses and prove that they directly resulted from the defendant’s actions. Non-economic damages like pain and suffering are more subjective, and you will need an experienced attorney’s help to determine how much you are eligible to claim and how to maximize this aspect of your recovery.

Generally, injured victims who have suffered catastrophic injuries resulting in permanent harm will recover more pain and suffering compensation than those expected to make full recoveries. Wigod & Falzon can carefully evaluate all details of your case and do everything we can to maximize your total compensation.

What to Expect From Your Detroit Bus Accident Lawyer

Depending on how your bus accident happened and who caused it, you may need to pursue compensation for your damages from a specific individual, such as the driver who hit the bus you were riding, or you may need to pursue a claim against a public transportation authority like the Detroit Department of Transportation. In this case, you face a more challenging series of legal proceedings and stricter rules for filing your claim.

Our firm can gather any evidence needed to prove fault for your accident and determine your most viable options for legal recourse. When you must deal with insurance companies after a bus accident, trust our team to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf and to ensure that your claim is handled in good faith. When you are able to pursue a personal injury case, we can negotiate a settlement or represent you in the courtroom if litigation is necessary.

Ultimately, bus accidents can be incredibly damaging, and the legal aftermath can be difficult to resolve. When you hire a bus accident lawyer with proven experience handling this type of case, you are not only more likely to succeed with your case, but you are also more likely to maximize the compensation you obtain for your damages.

The attorneys at Wigod & Falzon have successfully resolved many accident cases for clients throughout the Detroit area, and we are confident we can guide you to a positive outcome in your bus accident case. During your first meeting with our team, we can listen to your story and explain the legal services we can provide. Reach out to our firm right away to start working toward the compensation you deserve.

FAQs

How Do I Prove Fault for a Bus Accident in Detroit?

You can prove fault for a bus accident in Detroit using various forms of evidence that your attorney can gather on your behalf. Bus company documentation and records, eyewitness statements, police reports, and several other types of evidence could all come into play in your case. Michigan is a no-fault state for vehicle accidents, but proving fault could be crucial to your case, depending on which party is responsible for causing it.

Can I Sue the City if I’m Hit by a Bus?

You may be able to sue the city if you are hit by a bus. If the bus is owned and operated by the Detroit Department of Transportation, you would need to prove that either the Department of Transportation or its employee was negligent in some way that contributed to causing the accident. Your Detroit bus accident lawyer can explain what to expect if you intend to file suit against any government entity.

How Much Compensation Can You Claim for a Bus Accident?

The amount of compensation you can claim for a bus accident will vary based on the severity of your injuries and who is to blame. You may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses through an auto insurance claim, but you may need to file a personal injury suit to recover maximum compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. Your Detroit bus accident lawyer can help you maximize your total compensation.

Why Should I Hire a Bus Accident Lawyer?

You should hire a bus accident lawyer because this type of accident case is likely to be more challenging than a typical car accident case, especially if you intend to file suit against a government entity like the Detroit Department of Transportation. Your attorney can gather evidence needed to prove liability, accurately calculate your total damages, and determine your optimal path to recovering compensation.

What Does It Cost to Hire a Detroit Bus Accident Lawyer?

The cost to hire a Detroit bus accident lawyer will be a percentage of your case award or settlement when the attorneys at Wigod & Falzon represent you. Our firm does not charge our client a fee unless we win their case.

Because our contingency policy only requires that we charge a percentage of the client’s final recovery, there is never any risk of your legal fees overtaking your compensation, and there is no fee at all if we are unable to secure compensation for you for any reason.

The attorneys at Wigod & Falzon have extensive experience helping Detroit clients navigate some of the challenging personal injury cases, including bus accident cases. We know how damaging these accidents can be and are committed to helping our clients recover as much as possible. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with a Detroit bus accident lawyer and learn how we can help with your case.