Experienced Portland Oregon Bus Accident Attorney
Portland Bus Accident Attorney
Find out why we have some of the best Portland Oregon bus accident attorneys
Have You Recently Been in a Bus Accident in Portland, Oregon?
At Goldberg & Loren, we specialize in helping victims of bus accidents. Our team of skilled attorneys have a proven track record of success and have helped many clients like you recover both physically and financially from their accidents since 1994.
Contact Goldberg & Loren today to schedule a free consultation.
There were 70 bus collisions with Trimet in Portland in March 2024. [1]
Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Portland, Oregon
- Distracted Driving: Distracted driving in Portland may include using a cell phone or other device while behind the wheel, or even talking to passengers instead of focusing on the road. It may also include driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving while fatigued, and aggressive driving.
- Poorly Maintained: Bus companies have a responsibility to ensure that their vehicles are in good working order before they are put on the road, sometimes even a well-maintained bus can have faulty parts that lead to accidents.
- Mechanical Failure: Mechanical failure may include brake failure, steering failure, engine failure, and transmission failure.
- Defective Parts: If a manufacturer or supplier produces a defective part, it can cause serious problems down the road. The manufacturer or supplier can be held liable for any injuries or damages that result from the defect.
On average, from 2009 to 2019, intercity buses accounted for 12 percent, and school buses and transit buses accounted for 39 percent and 34 percent, respectively, of all buses involved in fatal crashes. [2]
- Road Conditions and Traffic Laws: Hazardous road conditions that can contribute to bus accidents include wet or icy roadways, construction zones, and narrow or winding roads.
- Inadequate Training for Drivers: Bus drivers require specialized training to operate such large vehicles, and without proper instruction, they may not have the necessary skills to navigate the roads safely.
Common Types of Bus Accidents
Some common types of bus accidents in Portland include:
- Rear-End Collisions: When one vehicle crashes into the back of another vehicle is a rear-end collision and can be dangerous in a bus accident due to the size and weight of the bus.
- Intersection Collisions: Intersection collisions happen when a bus collides with another vehicle at an intersection, often as a result of a driver running a red light, stop sign, or failing to yield the right of way.
- Head-On Collisions: These accidents happen when a bus collides with another vehicle head-on, which can result in serious injuries or fatalities.
- Pedestrian Accidents: When a bus strikes a pedestrian it often occurs due to driver error or negligence.
- Sideswipe Collisions: A sideswipe collision is when a bus and another vehicle collide while driving parallel to each other, often due to driver error or hazardous road conditions.
- Roll-Over Accidents: When a bus tips over, it is a roll-over accident, which is often the result of speeding, taking a turn too quickly, or driving on uneven terrain.
Common Injuries from Bus Accidents
Bus accidents can result in many types of injuries, some of which can be severe or even life-threatening. Some common injuries that can result from a bus accident include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: If the person’s head hits a hard surface during the accident or due to a strong impact they may develop a traumatic brain injury. They can range from mild concussions to permanent brain damage.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal cord injuries can result in paralysis or other long-term disabilities if the spinal cord is damaged in the accident.
- Broken Bones: Bus accidents can cause a variety of bone fractures, including broken arms, legs, and ribs.
- Internal Injuries: Internal injuries can include damage to internal organs such as the liver, kidney, or spleen, and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
- Whiplash: Whiplash is common in rear-end collisions. Whiplash happens when the head and neck are jerked backed and forth forcefully,
- Cuts and Bruises: These are common injuries in any type of accident and can range from minor to severe.
Determining Fault in a Bus Accident
An investigation may need to determine the cause of the accident and who is at fault. Fault in a bus accident is determined based on a variety of factors. These may include:
- Physical evidence from the accident scene
- Police reports
- Witness statements
Parties that could be found at fault in a bus accident include:
- Bus driver
- Another driver involved in the accident
- The bus company or operator
- The manufacturer of a defective part of the bus
- The local government responsible for maintaining the roadways
Factors that Influence Your Claim
Some of the factors that may influence your claim in a bus accident include:
- Fault: Determining who was at fault in the accident is crucial in determining liability.
- Severity: The type and severity of injuries, as well as costs of medical treatment and ongoing care, will determine the value of your claim.
- Insurance coverage: The amount and type of insurance coverage that the bus company or driver possesses will impact the amount of compensation available to you.
- Type of bus: The type of bus involved in the accident may also impact your claim. A school bus may have different insurance requirements versus a public transit bus or private tour bus.
- Time limitations: There are time limitations, or statute of limitations, for filing a claim or lawsuit against the responsible party. It’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible so that your claim is filed within the appropriate time frame.
A bus hit a woman near a movie theater, knocking her out of her shoes. She had the walk signal as the TriMet driver turned left. Despite recent history — and a federal study showing that bus-pedestrian collisions are more than twice as likely to happen during left turns — TriMet hasn’t altered its operating procedures. [3]
Types of Compensation From a Bus Accident
Fair compensation for a person injured in a bus accident can depend on various factors:
- Medical expenses: Any medical expenses resulting from the accident, including hospitalization, surgery, medication, and ongoing treatment.
- Lost wages: Any wages lost as a result of the accident, including time spent in the hospital or at home recovering from injuries.
- Pain and suffering: Any pain or suffering caused by the accident, including physical pain, emotional distress, and trauma.
- Property damage: Any damage done to personal property as a result of the accident.
- Future expenses: Any expenses that may arise in the future as a result of injuries sustained in the accident, such as ongoing medical treatment or therapy.
The Role of an Experienced Bus Accident Attorney
Our personal injury attorneys at Goldberg & Loren have extensive experience handling bus accident cases and know how to navigate the complex legal system to help you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.
For 30 years we have helped many injured persons who have experienced bus accidents receive financial compensation for their injuries, lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
Contact us today for a free consultation about your case. We work on a contingency basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless we win.
Sources:
[1] Performance Dashboard. (n.d.). TriMet. https://trimet.org/about/dashboard/index.htm
[2] Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2019. (n.d.). FMCSA. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/large-truck-and-bus-crash-facts-2019
[3] Oregonian/OregonLive, J. R. (2010, May 5). Left-turn bus accidents, like fatal one in downtown Portland, alarmingly common among transit agencies. Oregonlive. https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2010/05/left-turn_accidents_like_fatal.html
Goldberg & Loren
6500 S Macadam Ave #300,
Portland, OR 97239
(971) 339-8080
If you were injured in a bus accident in Portland we may be able to help recover compensation for your injuries. Contact us now to find out if you have a case!
We Represent Those Injured in Bus Accidents in the Following Cities and Communities Near Portland, Oregon.
- Beaverton, OR
- Hillsboro, OR
- Vancouver, WA
- Clackamas County, OR
- Clark County, WA
- Columbia County, OR
- Multnomah County, OR
- Skamania County, WA
- Washington County, OR
- Skamania County, WA
- Yamhill County, OR
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