10 Steps to Take If You Were Involved in a Bus Accident in Colorado

The sudden impact, the jarring halt – being involved in a bus accident can be a disorienting and frightening experience. Whether you were a passenger on the bus, in another vehicle sharing the road, a pedestrian crossing a busy street in downtown Denver, or a cyclist traveling the bike lanes near Cherry Creek, the aftermath of a bus collision can leave you with serious injuries and a multitude of questions.

As a Denver-based personal injury law firm dedicated to helping individuals find answers to their legal questions, we created a list of 10 steps to take if you were involved in a bus accident in Colorado.

Knowing there are some steps you may be able to take to recover compensation for all you’ve suffered can give you hope for the future and the confidence to face it.

At Fuicelli & Lee, the goal is to pursue full, fair, and complete compensation for everything you’ve lost—not just today, but in the years to come. Our skilled Denver bus accident lawyers will fight for you, so you can focus on getting better.

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Winter in Colorado brings stunning views and thrilling ski trips, but it also creates hazardous conditions for large vehicles, such as buses. Each year, dozens of bus drivers lose control on icy interstates, steep mountain passes, and slick city streets. When bus drivers fail to adjust for the seasonal risks Colorado’s dynamic weather brings, the consequences can be catastrophic.

Some key winter-related factors include:

• Black ice on bridges, overpasses, and early morning routes
• Heavy snow that reduces visibility and impedes or slows braking
• Ski resort traffic that causes congestion and promotes aggressive driving
• Tour and shuttle buses driving in unfamiliar terrain without snow tires or chains
• Delayed maintenance due to increased seasonal demand

Bus companies and operators must take reasonable precautions when Colorado’s weather becomes risky, such as checking forecasts, slowing down on dangerous roads, and canceling routes if conditions are too hazardous. When they don’t, and someone is injured or killed, they can and should be held accountable.

If your accident occurred on a route commonly used to access resorts like Keystone, Vail, or Breckenridge, along dangerous stretches of I-70, or even at a downtown Denver intersection in the middle of summer, you can take some measures to protect your rights and the value of your personal injury claim.

Step 1: Prioritize Your Health and Safety

The hours and days after a bus crash can feel like a blur. Many victims walk away without realizing they’re injured—adrenaline can mask symptoms, and delayed pain is common. If you haven’t seen a doctor yet, now is the time. Even a low-speed collision can result in concussions, whiplash, or internal injuries.

Seeking care not only helps protect your health, but it also strengthens your legal case. Medical records create a timeline that shows your injury was caused by the accident, not by a pre-existing condition or something that occurred later. Follow every medical recommendation, attend all follow-up visits, and be honest with your doctors about your symptoms, even if they seem minor.

Keep all relevant documentation, including discharge papers, prescriptions, X-rays, physical therapy instructions, and work notes. These details can directly influence how much compensation you may receive. Don’t try to tough it out or wait until you feel worse. Your recovery—and your case—depend on timely, thorough care.

Step 2: Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

Bus accident claims are not like typical fender-benders. They can involve government agencies, private transportation companies, multiple passengers, and layered insurance policies. The complexity of bus accident claims is one reason why you should speak with a Denver personal injury lawyer as soon after the accident as you can.

An experienced attorney can help you:

• Investigate the crash and determine the fault
• Preserve surveillance footage or black box data, which is often erased quickly or overwritten
• Communicate with all insurance companies on your behalf
• Determine the full value of your claim, including long-term costs
• Protect your right to fair compensation if a government entity, such as a metro transit bus or school district, operated the bus

Step 3: Document Everything You Remember

Every detail matters after a bus crash, especially when defendants and their insurance companies dispute who is at fault. Take time to write down your account of what happened. This isn’t just for your lawyer; it’s for you as well. Memories fade, and having a written record can keep your story consistent.

Try to include:

• The direction the bus was traveling and its speed
• Traffic signals or signs in the area
• Road hazards or visibility issues
• The behavior of the driver before the crash
• Whether other vehicles or pedestrians were involved

If you have photos or videos of the scene, your injuries, or the vehicles, back them up digitally. If someone else took photos for you, ask for copies of them. Your notes and visuals will help piece together the full picture later.

Step 4: Obtain a Copy of the Police Report

Official accident reports are valuable evidence in a bus accident claim. They can confirm the time and place of the incident, identify all parties involved, and include witness statements or preliminary assessments of fault.

In Colorado, you can usually request the report online through the Colorado State Patrol or the city police department that responded. Some agencies require you to wait a few days before the report becomes available.

Once you receive it, review the report for accuracy. If something looks wrong, such as the description of the vehicle listed as at fault, share this with your attorney. Corrections can sometimes be made, but timing matters.

It’s okay if you do not obtain the crash report before consulting with a lawyer. They can obtain a copy as well.

Step 5: Avoid Speaking With the At-Fault Party’s Insurance Company

After a bus crash, you might get a call from the insurance company representing the bus operator or another driver. They may ask how you’re feeling, offer to send you a check, or request a recorded statement. No matter how polite they seem, their goal is to reduce what they pay you as much as possible.

Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Do not give a recorded statement
• Do not speculate about your injuries or fault
• Do not accept any settlement without legal advice

A lowball offer might sound appealing when you’re in pain or out of work, but accepting it could cost you thousands in uncovered medical care or lost wages down the line. Politely decline and refer them to your attorney.

Step 6: Report the Accident to Your Own Insurance Provider

Even if the bus driver was clearly at fault for the accident, it’s still wise to notify your own insurance company. You may have coverage that helps pay your medical bills right away, such as MedPay or uninsured/underinsured motorist benefits.

Explain only the basic facts, such as:

• The date and location of the accident
• The parties involved
• Whether a police report was filed

Don’t guess or elaborate—just report. If your insurer asks for a statement or documentation, refer them to your attorney, who can provide the insurer exactly what it needs while protecting your right to file a claim, if needed.

Step 7: Keep a Personal Injury Journal

Your medical bills will show your physical injuries, but what about the emotional toll? A personal injury journal helps capture the full impact of the crash on your life. It’s a tool both for your legal case and your recovery.

You can record or write entries daily or weekly. Include:

• Pain ratings and descriptions
• Limitations (for example, “Couldn’t lift my toddler,” “Missed work for third week”)
• Side effects from medication
• Emotional struggles like anxiety, nightmares, or depression

Over time, this journal can reveal patterns or setbacks in your recovery. It can also be powerful evidence in your case, showing that your suffering goes beyond medical bills.

Step 8: Be Cautious on Social Media

After a crash, it’s natural to want to update friends and family—but resist the urge to post. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys look for anything online that can undermine your claim.

Photos, check-ins, and status updates can all be taken out of context. Even a harmless caption like “Finally getting out of the house!” or a photo of you enjoying yourself at a restaurant that a friend tagged you in can be used to argue that you aren’t seriously injured.

Until your case is resolved, it’s best to:

• Make your profiles private
• Avoid posting about the accident or your recovery
• Ask friends not to tag you in photos or posts

You have a lot at stake, and a simple moment online can undo weeks of progress on your claim. Your attorney may even advise you to pause social media use entirely.

Step 9: Identify All Potentially Liable Parties

In many bus crash cases, more than one party may be legally responsible. Your attorney will explore all possible sources of liability, which may include:

• The bus driver (if negligent, distracted, or under the influence)
• The transit company (for poor hiring practices, training, or maintenance)
• Another driver who caused the collision
• A parts manufacturer (if mechanical failure contributed)
• A city or government agency (if the road was dangerously designed)

Why does this matter? Because in serious injury cases, a single insurance policy often isn’t enough to cover all your losses. Identifying multiple sources of recovery ensures you have access to the compensation you deserve.

Step 10: Focus on Long-Term Recovery

Physical healing is only part of the journey after a serious bus crash. The emotional and mental impact often runs deeper and lasts longer than expected. Some injuries—especially traumatic brain injuries—can affect your memory, personality, and day-to-day routines for months or even years. Recovery takes time, support, and patience with yourself, no matter how strong you were before the accident.

Surround yourself with people who support your recovery: doctors, therapists, family, and a legal team that truly understands what you’re going through. Don’t rush the process. Don’t ignore lingering symptoms. And don’t assume your recovery has to look like anyone else’s.

While your attorney handles the legal side, focus on getting well. Your physical and emotional recovery is just as important as any verdict or settlement.

What a Denver Bus Accident Lawyer Can Do for You

When you’ve been seriously injured in a bus accident, the right legal team can make all the difference. A skilled Denver bus accident lawyer will fight for you, so you can focus on getting better. At Fuicelli & Lee, the goal is to pursue full, fair, and complete compensation for everything you’ve lost—not just today, but in the years to come.

We start by thoroughly investigating the crash. We review police reports, interview witnesses, secure video footage, and work with experts to reconstruct what happened. Bus crashes often involve government agencies, transit operators, and multiple insurance carriers. Fuicelli & Lee knows how to handle these complexities and hold every liable party accountable.

Keith Fuicelli, Bus Accident Lawyer

We are trial attorneys who prepare every case as if it’s going to court. That level of preparation increases our leverage in negotiations and sends a strong message to insurance companies that lowball settlements won’t be tolerated. Fuicelli & Lee is not a volume-based practice. We are selective, client-centered, and driven by results. You’ll get direct communication, clear updates, and compassionate support every step of the way.

If your family has suffered a tragic loss in a bus crash, we can help you pursue a wrongful death claim. Compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost income, and the profound emotional loss suffered by surviving loved ones are some of the damages you may be eligible to recover.

Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. If we don’t win your case, you don’t owe us anything.

We’ve built a reputation on fearless advocacy, real trial experience, and a deep commitment to those facing life-changing injuries. If you’ve been hurt in a bus crash—whether as a passenger, driver, pedestrian, or cyclist—Call us today at (303) 444-4444 or use the online form to request a free consultation. Virtual and in-person options are available across Colorado.