Denver Bus Accident Lawyer
Request Free ConsultationThere are many reasons why a person may choose to use a bus service for transportation. Buses offer convenience and affordability, whether you are commuting in Denver or exploring a new city.
But like any other form of road travel, motor vehicle accidents involving buses can have devastating consequences. Bus collisions can cause a deadly chain of events, especially when other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists are involved. These crashes can lead to fatal injuries, traumatic medical conditions, or lasting emotional trauma.
The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that many of the most serious bus and truck accidents involve intercity buses, school buses, and transit buses.
If you were injured in a crash involving a private bus, a city-operated Regional Transportation District (RTD bus), or even a school district vehicle, you may have the right to pursue financial compensation for your losses. That includes medical costs, missed time from work, and more. Speak with a Denver bus accident lawyer to explore your legal options.
At Fuicelli & Lee, our legal team is here to listen, advise, and act. We’ll help you understand your rights, identify who may be held liable, and fight to recover the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Fuicelli & Lee for Your Denver Bus Accident Case?
When your life has been turned upside down by a bus accident, you need a law firm that truly listens—and takes your case personally. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Fuicelli & Lee is a respected Denver personal injury law firm serving all of Colorado.
- We represent clients who’ve suffered life-changing injuries due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness, including those hurt in auto accidents involving buses, tour buses, and government vehicles.
- As a boutique firm, we focus on meaningful results, not volume. Your recovery is our priority.
- Several of our attorneys are former prosecutors with more than 20 years of litigation experience. We’re not afraid to take your case to trial.
If you’ve been hurt in a bus crash—whether as a passenger, pedestrian, or occupant of other vehicles—contact us today. We handle every bus accident claim on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win your case. Call (303) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation with a compassionate Denver bus accident attorney.
Private Bus Accidents
Some of the most serious bus accidents involve charter services, tour companies, or privately-owned shuttles. These businesses have a duty to keep their passengers safe. When they fail, the consequences can be catastrophic.
If you’re hurt in a bus accident claim involving a negligent bus driver or defective vehicle, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. These claims often require proving negligence, including:
- Whether the bus driver was properly trained and vetted
- The driver’s behavior at the time of the accident, especially if there’s evidence of distraction, speeding, or fatigue
- The maintenance records of the bus, including brake checks, tire inspections, and more
- The safety standards of the bus manufacturer or maintenance provider
Private carriers are also required by Colorado law to maintain commercial liability insurance. Your attorney can help you assess all insurance coverages and legal responsibilities.
Public Bus Accidents and RTD Claims
If you were injured on an RTD bus, a school bus, or another vehicle operated by a government agency, you may feel uncertain about taking legal action. However, public transportation entities are not above the law. The Regional Transportation District and other city, county, or state agencies may be held liable when their negligence leads to serious injuries.
Government claims can be more complex due to immunity laws, but there are exceptions. For example, if you were injured due to the operation of an RTD bus by a government employee, you may still have a viable claim under Colorado’s Governmental Immunity Act.
It’s essential to act quickly in these cases—deadlines are shorter and evidence disappears fast. A qualified Denver bus accident lawyer can investigate whether a school district, RTD driver, or city transportation department may be responsible and help you navigate the legal process from start to finish.
Colorado Bus Accidents: A Growing Concern
Bus accidents in Colorado remain a significant issue. In one recent year, Colorado saw 1,444 bus crashes, including 32 fatal accidents resulting in 32 deaths. While specific data for the number of injury victims is not available, state and national trends suggest injury figures are substantially higher than the number of deaths.
Nationally, the scope is even broader. In one recent year, there were 13,452 bus accidents across the U.S., with 12,532 people injured and 203 fatalities. School bus-specific data shows that approximately 108 people are killed and 13,200 are injured annually in school bus accidents nationwide. These statistics underscore the serious and sometimes lifelong consequences for those injured.
Common Injuries in Bus Accidents
Bus crashes may happen in seconds, but their consequences can last a lifetime. Passengers often have no seat belts, and the sheer size of buses means even a low-speed impact can cause devastating trauma.
Here are some of the most common injuries we see in bus accident claims:
- Fractures and broken bones requiring surgery or long-term physical therapy
- Whiplash and soft tissue damage, often leading to chronic pain and limited mobility
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that impact cognition, personality, and memory
- Spinal cord damage, including paralysis or permanent neurological impairment
- Internal bleeding and organ damage due to blunt force trauma
- Emotional trauma, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression
In some cases, victims also suffer fatal injuries, leaving families grieving and financially overwhelmed. If you’ve lost a loved one in a collision with a tour bus, school district bus, or RTD transit vehicle, we can help you explore a wrongful death claim.
Recovering from these injuries isn’t just about healing—it’s about protecting your future. You may face lost wages, future medical bills, and long-term care needs. You deserve compensation for every one of these losses, and we’re here to help.
What to Do After a Bus Accident
If you are already receiving medical attention for your injuries following a bus accident, there are several crucial steps you can take to protect your legal rights and maximize your potential compensation. Here’s what to do next:
- Contact a lawyer quickly. The insurance industry moves fast to minimize payouts, so having legal representation early can protect your rights.
- Gather as much evidence as possible—photos, witness names, the driver’s information, and a copy of the police report.
- Do not talk to the bus company or their insurer; refer them to your lawyer instead.
- Keep all records of your treatment, prescriptions, and expenses.
- Avoid social media posts about the accident, your injuries, or your legal plans.
- Stick to your treatment plan. If you miss appointments or ignore doctor’s orders, it could hurt your case.
If you’re unsure about your next steps, our legal team is here to guide you with compassion and clarity.
Getting Compensation for Your Bus Accident Injury in Denver
Recovering from a bus accident can be physically and emotionally draining. Between mounting bills, missed work, and long-term treatment needs, it can be difficult to focus on your recovery. That’s where we come in.
At Fuicelli & Lee, our Denver legal team takes care of the legal process so you can focus on healing. Whether your case involves a negligent bus driver, a defective part from a bus manufacturer, or an undertrained employee operating a city vehicle, we’re here to build the strongest case possible on your behalf.
Filing a personal injury claim after a bus crash is more than just paperwork—it’s about holding the right parties legally responsible. That includes investigating whether the accident involved driver negligence, improper maintenance, a violation of safety protocols, or a combination of failures.
We pursue all avenues of financial compensation, including payment for future medical bills, ongoing care needs, and other accident-related losses.
What Damages Can Denver Bus Accident Victims Claim?
Every bus accident has its own story. Some victims walk away with minor injuries; others are left with permanent disabilities or worse. Whatever the circumstances, Colorado law allows injured parties to recover damages for both economic and non-economic losses.
You may be eligible to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses – Hospital bills, surgeries, imaging scans, rehabilitation, prescriptions, and all related care
- Lost income and future earnings – Wages you’ve already lost and what you may not be able to earn in the future
- Pain and suffering – Emotional distress, anxiety, trauma, and reduced quality of life
- Property damage – Loss or damage to vehicles, personal belongings, or mobile devices during the crash
- Long-term care – In-home assistance, wheelchairs, or assistive devices for catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death compensation – If your loved one died due to a bus crash, you may be eligible for funeral expenses and loss of financial support
In cases involving gross misconduct, like a bus company ignoring repeated safety violations, we may also pursue punitive damages to hold them fully accountable.
We understand the financial strain you’re under. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis. You don’t owe us anything unless we win.
Determining Negligence and Legal Responsibility in a Bus Crash
Bus crashes often involve more than one error and more than one responsible party. Determining fault is not always straightforward. It requires a careful review of vehicle maintenance records, driver logs, route plans, and third-party actions.
To win a personal injury lawsuit, your attorney must prove four key elements of negligence:
- Duty of care – The driver, company, or government agency had a responsibility to keep you safe
- Breach of duty – That party acted carelessly or failed to uphold safety standards
- Causation – Their actions caused or contributed to the accident
- Damages – You suffered real, measurable harm as a result
Here’s who might be held liable in a Denver bus accident:
- Negligent bus driver – If the driver was distracted, fatigued, speeding, or under the influence
- Private or charter bus company – When training, background checks, or safety procedures are lacking
- The RTD or a school district – If the accident involved an improperly operated or maintained city or school bus
- Other motorists – Drivers in other vehicles may have triggered the chain reaction
- Bus manufacturer – For defective brakes, steering components, or safety systems that failed
We’ll perform a full investigation to hold the correct parties responsible and ensure no liable party escapes accountability.
Who Can File a Bus Accident Claim?
You do not have to be a passenger to be eligible for compensation. You may be entitled to file a bus accident claim if:
- You were a passenger on an RTD bus, school bus, or charter bus when the crash occurred
- You were a driver or passenger in another vehicle involved in the collision
- You were a pedestrian or bicyclist struck by a bus
- Your child was injured while riding a school bus
- You are the surviving spouse, child, or parent of someone who died in the accident
Bus crashes often affect multiple people. But even if your injuries were not life-threatening, you still have the right to pursue compensation. Don’t let an insurance adjuster tell you your case isn’t serious enough. Let a lawyer review the details first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to file a Denver bus accident lawsuit?
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Colorado is generally two years, but claims against government entities (like RTD or a school district) must follow special notice procedures that can significantly shorten the timeframe. Speak with a lawyer right away to avoid missing your chance to file.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Colorado follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means you can still recover damages as long as you were less than 50% responsible for the crash. However, your compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
How much does it cost to hire a Denver bus accident lawyer?
At Fuicelli & Lee, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront. Our fees only come out of the compensation we win for you. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.
Why Bus Accident Cases Require Legal Experience
Bus accident claims are more than just another type of traffic accident case—they’re legally and logistically more complicated. You may be up against a private transportation company, a municipality, or even a major insurance provider. That means more red tape, more potential delays, and more pressure to settle quickly.
Insurance companies have teams of adjusters, investigators, and attorneys trained to protect their bottom line, not your well-being. Having a strong advocate from the start can make all the difference.
At Fuicelli & Lee, we handle cases involving:
- RTD bus accidents
- Tour buses traveling through Denver and Colorado
- School district vehicle crashes
- Auto accidents involving multiple vehicles and public transit
- Claims against the insurance industry and city agencies
You deserve an attorney who will take your injuries seriously, dig into the details, and fight for what’s right. Whether you’re recovering from surgery, attending physical therapy, or struggling with unease after the crash, we’ll lift the heavy legal burdens from you so you can focus on getting better.
Contact a Denver Bus Accident Attorney Today
You’ve already been through enough. Let us handle the paperwork, the phone calls, and the fight for fair compensation so that you can focus on your recovery. We will identify every liable party and hold them accountable for your injuries and losses. Our laser-focused and relentless pursuit of justice is how we obtain maximum compensation for our clients.
Call Fuicelli & Lee at (303) 444-4444 today or visit us online to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Denver bus accident lawyer. Don’t wait. The sooner you call, the sooner we can get to work on your case.
Contact our Lawyers for a free consultation
Fuicelli & Lee Injury Lawyers, PC – Denver Office
1731 Gilpin Street
Denver, CO 80218
P: (303) 444-4444