Portland Bus Accident Lawyer
The legal team at Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC have been recognized for excellence in a number of arenas. We were voted one of the “Best Law Firms” for plaintiff personal injury representation, our attorneys are listed in Best Lawyers in America®, and invited to exclusive organizations such as the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Inner Circle of Advocates. If you or someone you love was injured in a bus accident, you can trust our law firm’s experience and skill in this field.
Oregon Bus Accident Involving a Commercial Carrier
Passengers boarding a commercial bus are entitled to expect that the company operating the vehicle will follow safety regulations and ensure that its drivers operate the vehicle safely.
During this trip, the driver skipped required safety checks and engaged in confrontations with passengers. At a scheduled stop, he pulled away before all passengers had returned to the bus. One passenger was walking back toward the bus as it began to move. Witnesses yelled for the driver to stop and reported that the passenger called out and struck the side of the bus in an attempt to get the driver’s attention. Instead of stopping, the driver continued driving.
The driver later stated that he had been trained not to stop once the door was closed and the bus was in gear. As the bus turned, the passenger’s foot was caught and he was run over, resulting in fatal injuries.
The investigation revealed failures beyond the driver’s conduct. There were prior complaints involving the driver, and company policy required a simple head count before departing—a step that was not performed.
When the victim’s parents contacted Paulson Coletti, our team reviewed dispatch records, police reports, 911 calls, internal policies, and safety documentation. The evidence showed negligence at both the individual and corporate levels. Safety rules existed but were not enforced.
This case illustrates a central issue in commercial transportation litigation: passenger safety depends on enforcement, not just written policies.
At Paulson Coletti, we represent families harmed by corporate negligence in commercial transportation. These cases are about enforcing safety standards and holding companies accountable when failures in oversight lead to loss of life.
Taking a bus can be one of the easiest and most affordable ways to get around Portland. Depending on the bus and driver, however, it may not be one of the safest methods of travel. Every year, passengers, pedestrians and vehicle drivers suffer injuries in Portland bus accidents. Most of these collisions are preventable and happen due to negligence.
A bus accident can cause broken bones, head injuries, brain trauma, back injuries, whiplash and many other serious injuries. A crash may impact your life with expensive medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Someone may owe you compensation for your damages for causing the wreck. If you have suffered significant injuries in a recent Portland bus accident, contact the lawyers at Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC right away. We offer free consultations near you.
We have secured multiple successful verdicts for bicycle accident victims in Portland and throughout Multnomah County, including Hunter Brown vs. Greyhound: an $18M verdict for a young man who was killed when run over by a Greyhound bus.
Do You Need a Bus Accident Attorney?
The way insurance companies work means it is not always easy to obtain fair compensation for a bus accident through an insurance settlement. Insurance companies want to save money on bus accident claims, not pay the maximum amount owed to the client. You may need an attorney to represent you during insurance settlement negotiations for a fair outcome. An attorney can combat bad-faith tactics, such as a claims adjuster offering you less than your injury is worth. Your lawyer will not settle your bus accident claim for less money than you deserve, even if that means taking your case to trial in Multnomah County.
Common Types of Bus Accidents
Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC is a boutique law firm located in Portland that represents the interests of accident victims in Portland and throughout Oregon. We are prepared to handle various types of bus accident cases for wrongfully injured individuals, such as:
- Public Transportation Accidents
Many residents of Portland and surrounding areas use public transportation. This includes TriMet buses, Portland streetcars, MAX Light Rail, and WES Commuter Rail.
Charter buses are usually rented buses or tour buses. These types of buses are owned by private charter companies, as opposed to public transit agencies like those mentioned above.
School buses transport elementary through high school aged students to and from the various Portland Public Schools.
Plaintiffs in bus accident cases can be bus passengers, pedestrians, or occupants of other vehicles involved in accidents with buses.
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