Las Vegas sees a lot of bus traffic, including public buses, casino shuttles, tour buses, and charter buses heading out to nearby attractions like the Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam. With all that movement, accidents are inevitable. And when a bus crashes, passengers often suffer serious injuries.
If you’ve been in a bus accident in Las Vegas, you’re probably dealing with a variety of financial and personal struggles. You might be injured, stuck with medical bills, out of work, and getting the runaround from the bus company or their insurance. These cases can be complicated, especially if a government agency like the RTC is involved.
At the Cottle Firm, our team of dedicated Las Vegas bus accident lawyers helps victims fight for the financial compensation they deserve. We’re prepared to analyze your case, help you explore your legal options, and stand by your side throughout the claims process. Give us a call today at 702-722-6111 to discuss your Las Vegas bus accident case in a free consultation.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Las Vegas
Bus accidents in Las Vegas can occur due to many different factors. The city’s constant flow of traffic, large number of tourists, and mix of public and private transportation services create an environment where mistakes, oversight, or negligence can cause serious collisions. Here are some of the most common causes of bus accidents in Las Vegas.
Driver Fatigue or Distraction
Bus drivers often work long hours, sometimes with few breaks. Fatigue can reduce reaction time, impair judgment, and lead to dangerous mistakes behind the wheel. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), drowsy driving can be just as harmful as driving under the influence. Distracted driving, such as checking a phone while driving, also remains a serious issue.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
Buses require regular inspections and maintenance. When operators skip required maintenance or delay repairs, critical parts like brakes, tires, or steering systems may fail. Mechanical failures due to poor maintenance are a common cause of preventable accidents. In such cases, the bus company or maintenance provider may be considered liable.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Some bus drivers operate their vehicles aggressively. They may fail to obey posted speed limits or ignore traffic rules. Buses are much larger and heavier than the average passenger vehicle and take longer to stop. Speeding and reckless driving behaviors like weaving through traffic significantly increase the risk of a collision and make it difficult to react in an emergency.
Unsafe Road or Construction Conditions
Road construction projects are common in Las Vegas, especially near popular tourist areas. Temporary barriers, unclear signage, and abrupt lane changes can all pose risks for large vehicles like buses. If signage or road design contributed to a crash, a government agency or contractor may share liability.
Negligence by Other Drivers
Not all bus accidents are caused by the bus driver. In some cases, another vehicle may be responsible. For example, a car may change lanes without signaling or brake suddenly in front of a bus. Buses cannot stop as quickly as smaller vehicles, and negligent actions by other drivers can lead to major collisions.
Lack of Safety Measures
Some bus services may fail to follow safety measures, which puts passengers at unnecessary risk. Common forms of negligence may include overcrowding and a lack of seatbelts or clearly marked exits.
Types of Bus Accidents
Las Vegas has a wide variety of bus services, and accidents involving these vehicles can happen in many different settings. The type of bus involved often determines who may be held responsible and what kind of legal process applies. Below are some of the most common types of bus accidents in the Las Vegas area.
RTC Public Transit Bus Accidents
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) operates public bus services throughout Las Vegas. Accidents involving RTC buses may occur at intersections, in bus lanes, or at designated stops. Because RTC is a government entity, claims involving its buses typically have special filing requirements. Injured passengers, pedestrians, or drivers hit by an RTC bus should act quickly to protect their rights.
Private Charter and Tour Bus Accidents
Charter buses are commonly used for guided tours, events, and group transportation. Tour bus accidents often happen on busy highways, near popular landmarks, and in hotel zones. These buses are usually operated by private companies. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, liability may fall on the driver, company, or vehicle maintenance provider.
School Bus Accidents
School bus accidents may involve other vehicles, pedestrians, or passengers boarding or exiting the bus. Depending on whether the school district or a private contractor operates the bus, different legal rules may apply. Cases involving injured children may also involve additional protections and procedures.
Casino and Hotel Shuttle Bus Accidents
Many Las Vegas casinos and hotels offer shuttle services for guests. These shuttles often travel short distances between the Strip and downtown Vegas. Accidents involving these buses may happen in high-traffic areas or during stops and pickups. The companies that operate these shuttles can be held responsible if negligence contributed to the crash.
Intercity Bus Accidents
Las Vegas is a major stop for long-distance bus lines like Greyhound and Megabus. Accidents involving these buses may occur within Las Vegas or on highways like I-15 and US-95. Victims of intercity bus crashes may include passengers, other drivers, or pedestrians. Legal claims involving national carriers may require an attorney familiar with both Nevada law and federal transportation regulations.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Bus Accident Case?
Bus accident cases may involve more than one responsible party. Depending on how the crash happened, liability could fall on the bus driver, the company that owns the bus, a government agency, or another driver. Determining who is legally at fault is one of the first steps of building a personal injury claim.
The Bus Driver
If the bus driver caused the crash through negligence, they may be held personally liable. Some common examples include:
- Speeding through traffic
- Ignoring stop signs or red lights
- Texting or using a phone while driving
- Driving under the influence
- Falling asleep behind the wheel
Even if a driver didn’t break the law, they can still be found negligent if they failed to use reasonable care under the circumstances. This could include not slowing down in bad weather, failing to yield to pedestrians, or taking a turn too fast.
While individual drivers can be named in a lawsuit, they usually aren’t the only party responsible. In many cases, their employer may share liability.
The Bus Company or Tour Operator
Employers are typically responsible for the actions of their employees while they’re on the job. This includes bus companies, charter operators, tour companies, or any other private firm operating shuttle services. These companies can also be held directly liable for:
- Failing to run background checks on drivers
- Inadequate training
- Poor scheduling that leads to driver fatigue
- Skipping routine vehicle inspections
- Ignoring safety complaints
If a company prioritizes profits over safety or fails to enforce safety rules, it may be held accountable for any injuries or losses resulting from that failure.
Government Entities
Public transportation in Las Vegas is managed by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC). If an RTC bus is involved in a crash, the case may involve a claim against a government agency.
These cases follow different procedures from private claims. For example:
- You may need to file a notice of claim within a set timeframe – typically six months from the date of the crash.
- There may be caps on how much you can recover in damages.
- Additional steps may be required before you can file a lawsuit in court
Claims against government agencies are often more complex and time-sensitive, so it’s important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible if a public bus was involved in your accident.
Third-Party Drivers
Not all bus crashes are the fault of the bus driver or company. Other drivers on the road can cause accidents by acting recklessly or unpredictably. Common scenarios include:
- A car cuts in front of a bus without enough room
- A driver runs a red light and hits the side of a bus
- A vehicle rear-ends a stopped or slowing bus
- Someone swerves into the bus’s lane during heavy traffic
When another driver causes an accident with a bus due to negligence, they may be held fully or partially liable.
Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers
Sometimes, the crash has nothing to do with human error and everything to do with faulty equipment. Buses rely on dozens of critical systems to function safely, including brakes, tires, hydraulics, steering components, lighting, and more.
If one of those parts fails and this failure leads to a crash, the company that designed, manufactured, or distributed the part may be liable under product liability law. Examples of manufacturer-related failures include:
- Brake failure due to defective components
- Steering system malfunction
- Tire blowouts caused by manufacturing defects
- Faulty onboard safety systems
In these cases, the claim may involve both the manufacturer of the specific part and the company that assembled or sold the bus.
Maintenance Contractors
Many bus companies outsource vehicle maintenance to third-party shops or service contractors. These companies are supposed to inspect the vehicle regularly and perform necessary repairs. If they fail to do so or do the job incorrectly, they can be held liable for the accident.
Common forms of negligence by maintenance providers include:
- Skipping routine safety checks
- Failing to fix known issues
- Using the wrong replacement parts
- Inadequate inspection of tires or brakes
To determine liability in these cases, investigators may review maintenance records, work orders, inspection reports, and employee statements.
Injuries Commonly Sustained in Bus Accidents
Injuries from bus accidents can range from minor to life-threatening. Buses don’t always have seatbelts, and passengers may be standing, moving around, or holding onto rails when a crash happens. People in other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians hit by a bus are also at risk for severe trauma simply because of the size and weight of the vehicle.
Head and Brain Injuries
Head injuries can occur when passengers hit their heads on windows, poles, or seats during sudden stops and collisions. In more serious crashes, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can occur. These may range from relatively minor concussions to long-term cognitive impairments. Symptoms aren’t always immediate, so it’s important to get checked by a doctor even if you feel okay at first.
Neck and Spine Injuries
Whiplash is one of the most common neck injuries in vehicle crashes, including bus accidents. More serious spinal injuries can happen, too, such as herniated discs and spinal cord damage. These injuries can result in chronic pain, loss of mobility, or even paralysis.
Broken Bones
Fractures are common in bus crashes, especially when passengers are thrown from their seats or into hard surfaces. Pedestrians and cyclists hit by buses are at an especially high risk for severe fractures, such as compound fractures or multiple broken limbs.
Cuts, Lacerations, and Bruising
Broken glass, sharp edges, and loose objects in the bus can cause cuts and bruises. Deeper lacerations may require stitches and are more prone to infection. In some cases, scarring or permanent disfigurement may occur.
Internal Injuries
Blunt force trauma from a crash can damage internal organs, cause internal bleeding, or result in other injuries that aren’t immediately visible. These can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath.
Emotional and Psychological Trauma
Not all injuries are physical. Surviving a serious bus crash can leave lasting psychological effects, especially for children or those with prior trauma. Passengers may develop conditions like anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental health care, counseling, or therapy may be needed as part of the recovery process.
Contact Our Las Vegas Bus Accident Lawyers
If you’ve recently been injured in an accident involving a bus in Las Vegas, it’s important to be aware of your legal options. If your crash was the result of negligence, you could have grounds for a personal injury claim against one or multiple parties that contributed to the crash. At the Cottle Firm, our Las Vegas bus accident lawyers are proud to help victims seek the compensation they deserve for preventable bus accidents. Get in touch with us today at 702-722-6111 to discuss your case in a free consultation.