Key Takeaways
- Most Portland bus accidents are preventable and caused by negligence, and passengers, pedestrians, and occupants of other vehicles can all be plaintiffs.
- Bus accidents can cause broken bones, head and back injuries, brain trauma, and whiplash, leading to medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Common causes include distracted, drowsy, or intoxicated driving, speeding, failing to yield, red-light running, poor driver training, and poorly maintained buses.
- A bus company can share responsibility when it fails to enforce its own safety rules, such as a required passenger head count.
- Most Oregon bus accident claims must be filed within two years, but a claim against the government, such as TriMet, allows only 180 days.
Portland Bus Accident Lawyers
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.
Contact Our Portland Bus Accident Lawyer
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.
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.
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.
“At Paulson Coletti, ‘liberty and justice for all’ is more than just a phrase – it is our mandate. Our team of trial lawyers is driven to pursue justice for the injured, ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable. Whether your case settles or goes to trial, you can trust our Oregon personal injury lawyers to be the legal advocates you need so your voice can be heard.”
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 Bus Accidents
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 Bus Accidents
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.
“Most cases settle, but each of our cases is prepared as if it’s going to trial. The insurance companies know it and so do the defense lawyers defending them. That’s why we get such great results for our clients.”
What Causes Bus Accidents in Portland?
Almost all Portland bus accidents are preventable. They occur most often when a bus driver fails to fulfill his or her duties of care, such as by texting and driving or ignoring pedestrian rights-of-way. They can also arise due to bus company negligence, including poor bus maintenance. As personal injury lawyers, it is our mission to root out negligence in our community and create a safer city for everyone. We do this by helping injured bus accident victims identify the cause of the crash to hold the right party accountable.
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Failing to yield
- Red-light running
- Lack of bus driver training
- Poorly maintained bus
- Bus part malfunctions
- Defective vehicle parts
- Inadequate security at bus stops
If negligence or a wanton disregard for others’ safety caused your Portland bus accident, the at-fault party may owe you financial compensation. The attorneys at Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC can review your case to help you identify the liable party. Then, if we accept you as a client, we can go up against the correct party in pursuit of compensation. We have the experience and skill to take on all types of defendants, including the City of Portland. We will do what is necessary to secure you the best possible results.
Act Quickly – Time Is Running Out
If you were injured in a bus accident in Portland, do not wait to seek advice from a personal injury attorney. Waiting too long could put you at risk of missing your statute of limitations and losing the ability to file. In Oregon, you have a maximum of two years from the date of your bus accident to file a personal injury claim, in most cases. You could have less time, however, if you were injured while riding a public bus.
A public transportation accident often involves the government as a defendant. If you are bringing a claim against the government for an accident involving a public bus, such as a TriMet bus or public school bus, you have only 180 days to file your initial claim. Missing your deadline generally means giving up your right to demand damages from the responsible party. It is critical, therefore, to contact an attorney immediately after a bus accident in Portland.
We are dedicated to pursuing justice for our clients
Choose Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC. Choose Justice.
Everyone who has been wrongly injured deserves a passionate advocate who is committed to representing their best interests. At Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, we have three. In every case we take on, we put our clients first, selecting cases we truly believe in and believe we can win. We are experienced Portland personal injury attorneys who are prepared to go the distance in order to protect our clients’ rights.
To learn more about us, inquire about retaining our firm, or learn if you have a case, call 503-226-6361
or fill out an online case evaluation form.
Portland Bus Accident Lawyer FAQs
Can I File a Claim If I Was Injured as a Bus Passenger?
Yes, passengers hurt in a bus crash are among those who can pursue a compensation claim. A Portland Bus Accident Lawyer at Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC can help, as we represent passengers, pedestrians, and occupants of other vehicles who were injured because a bus driver or company failed to operate safely.
What Makes Bus Accident Claims More Complicated Than Car Accident Cases?
Bus accident claims often involve more moving parts than car accident claims. A public bus may mean a government entity and a shorter filing deadline, and our investigation often includes company policies and driver history rather than just a police report. Insurance companies handling these claims also focus on limiting their payouts.
Can I Sue TriMet After a Bus Accident?
Yes, but a claim involving TriMet is treated as a claim against the government. Instead of the usual two-year window for most Oregon injury claims, you have only 180 days to file, so speaking with a Portland bus accident lawyer quickly matters.
Can More Than One Party Be Responsible for a Bus Accident?
Yes, negligence can exist at both the individual and corporate levels, such as a driver who ignores safety procedures and a company that fails to enforce an existing policy, like a required passenger head count before departure.
What Evidence Can Help Prove a Bus Accident Claim?
Dispatch records, police reports, 911 calls, internal policies, and safety documentation can all help show how a crash happened and who is responsible. We review this evidence closely, along with any prior complaints involving the driver.
Are Bus Companies Responsible for Their Drivers' Negligence?
Yes, a bus company can share responsibility when it fails to enforce its own safety rules or address known driver issues. Safety policies that exist on paper but are not followed do not protect passengers or the public.
What Happens If a Child Is Injured in a School Bus Accident?
School buses transport students to and from Portland Public Schools, and a crash involving one of these buses may be treated as a claim against a government entity, meaning the shortened 180-day filing deadline generally applies.
Can I Recover Compensation If I Was Hit by a Bus While Walking or Riding a Bicycle?
Yes, pedestrians struck by a bus are specifically among those who can pursue a claim, and our firm has represented other injured road users in bus-related collisions, including a verdict for a young man run over by a bus.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Bus Accident Case?
Every case is different, but at Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, most settle, and we prepare each case as if going to trial. Insurance companies and defense lawyers know this, which is one reason our Portland bus accident lawyer team often reaches a fair resolution.