Bus Accident Lawyers in New Jersey

Tens of thousands of people across New Jersey rely on buses every day to attend school, go to work, or run daily errands. Intercity buses also travel New Jersey’s highways to reach cities across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. With so many buses on the roads and freeways in New Jersey, bus accidents are often an unfortunate inevitability.

If you were injured in an accident caused by a negligent bus driver, you could potentially seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and more. If this has happened to you, turn to the New Jersey bus accident lawyers at Davis, Saperstein, & Salomon, P.C. for help.

For over 40 years, the attorneys at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. have aggressively pursued maximum settlements and verdicts for our clients throughout New Jersey and the New York City area. With over 25 personal injury attorneys on our legal team, our firm has the expertise and resources to level the playing field so you can seek compensation for the financial losses and debilitating effects of your injuries. 

We’ve recovered over $1 billion in compensation for our clients and are dedicated to providing you with quality service. We have locations throughout New Jersey and New York City to meet with you. If needed, we can also meet with you via FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype. We have Spanish-speaking members on staff and can obtain translators for many other languages so you can communicate with us whichever way is most comfortable for you.  

If you or someone you love has been injured in a bus accident in New Jersey, contact the personal injury law firm, Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. today for a free initial case evaluation. 

Common Causes of Bus Accidents

Some of the most common causes of bus accidents in New Jersey include the following:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving, such as when bus drivers are distracted by passengers, looking at route maps, or on their cell phone
• Careless driving, including failing to signal or check mirrors before turning, changing lanes, or pulling into traffic
• Failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, especially when making left turns
• Making wide right turns without checking for traffic in the left lane
• Drowsy or fatigued driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Driver inexperience, including lack of experience operating a bus or not knowing the route
• Inadequate bus maintenance
• Defective auto parts, especially tires and brakes
• Adverse weather conditions, including heavy fog or precipitation
• Poor road conditions, such as broken pavement or icy roads
• Low lighting conditions at night

Common Injuries Suffered in Bus Accidents

Due to the size of buses, accidents with these vehicles tend to result in serious injuries. Injuries that are commonly suffered in bus accidents are as follows:

• Severe lacerations and bleeding
• Dislocated joints
• Broken bones
• Ligament sprains and tears
• Muscle and tendon strains and tears
• Whiplash
• Nerve damage
• Neck and back injuries, including herniated spinal discs
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Crush injuries
• Internal organ injuries and internal bleeding
• Facial injuries, including permanent scarring or eye damage
• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
• Traumatic amputation

Can I Sue a Bus Company after an Accident?

If you were injured in a bus accident through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to sue the company that operated the bus under a theory of employer liability. This holds an employer responsible for losses caused by the negligent actions of an employee committed in the course and scope of their employee’s job.

You might also be entitled to hold the bus company liable for its direct negligence in causing the accident in certain circumstances. For example, if the bus driver had a poor safety record and posed a clear risk of causing an accident, the bus company might be liable for hiring an unsafe driver. 

The bus company might also be liable for not properly training a driver to drive a specialized bus or not making sure that a driver had complete familiarity with their assigned route. A bus company might even be directly negligent for an accident that results from poor bus maintenance. An experienced New Jersey bus accident lawyer will be able to review your bus injury claim and provide more information on how to sue a bus company.

What to Do After a New Jersey Bus Accident

After you have been injured in a public transport accident, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your right to seek compensation. These steps include the following:

• If possible, use your cell phone to take photos and video of the accident scene. Try to get details such as damage to the bus and your vehicle, skid marks on the road, visual obstructions, traffic signs and signals, and the conditions at the time of the accident.
• See a doctor as soon as possible after the accident to get examined for any injuries you may have sustained.
• Take photos of any visible injuries.
• Follow your treating provider’s instructions and recommendations.
• Contact an experienced bus accident lawyer
• Keep copies of bills and invoices for expenses you incur because of the accident. If you must miss work during your recovery, make sure to have copies of your income records.  
• Consider keeping a journal to record the difficulties and limitations that your injuries cause you.

Reach out to Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. to speak with one of our New Jersey bus accident attorneys and learn more about your rights. We will discuss how our injury lawyers can help you hold the bus company accountable.

Statute of Limitations for Bus Injury Claims in New Jersey

If you were hurt in a bus accident in New Jersey, you have limited time to begin pursuing a claim to recover compensation for your injuries and losses. Under New Jersey’s statute of limitations, you normally have only two years from the date that you were injured in a bus accident to file a lawsuit against the bus driver or bus operator. If you wait until after the statute of limitations has elapsed on your claim to file a lawsuit, your suit will likely end up dismissed by the court for being untimely.

In addition to the statute of limitations, if you were injured in a bus accident with a school bus or public transit bus, you should also be aware of the notice requirements of New Jersey’s Tort Claims Act. Under the TCA, you normally have only 90 days to notify the relevant local or state agency if you have an injury claim against a public entity or agency, such as a public transit agency or a school district. Filing an untimely notice may result in the waiver of your public transport accident claim for compensation.

For these reasons, you need to speak with an experienced bus accident lawyer from Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. as soon as possible to confirm when you need to formally file your bus injury claim. Our firm can start the process of investigating and preparing your case to ensure that your rights are preserved.

Damages You Can Recover in a New Jersey Bus Accident Claim

If you were injured due to the negligence of a bus driver or bus operator, you may be entitled to recover compensation for expenses and losses from your injuries. The financial recovery that may be available to you in a New Jersey bus accident claim includes the following:

• Medical expenses — Expenses for medical treatment, such as emergency medical care, doctor’s appointments, surgeries and other medical procedures, physical and occupational therapy, prescription drugs, medical devices, and mobility equipment
• Long-term care costs — Costs of long-term care for disabilities that result from bus accident injuries, such as home health services, household assistance, or home renovations to accommodate disabilities
• Lost income — Loss of wages or income when taking time off work to recover from the injuries you suffered in the bus accident
• Lost earning ability — Loss of earning ability and benefits of employment if you are permanently disabled, whether partially or totally, from working in gainful employment
• Pain and suffering — Compensation for physical pain and emotional trauma or distress
• Reduced quality of life — Compensation for reduced enjoyment and quality of life due to physical disabilities or permanent, visible scarring or disfigurement
• Property damage — Reimbursement for property damage, such as damage to your vehicle that was hit by a bus or other personal property that was damaged or destroyed in the accident

Contact a Knowledgeable Bus Accident Attorney in New Jersey Today

If you have been injured in a bus accident in New Jersey, you shouldn’t have to suffer the consequences without seeking fair compensation from the at-fault party or parties. Contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. today for a free, no-obligation consultation.