Abogado especializado en accidentes de autobús en Richmond

Top Rated Bus Accident Attorney in Richmond, VA

Buses are vital parts of the public transportation system in Richmond. You may rely on public transit to get to work each day, run errands, or go to appointments. Bus drivers and the bus company have a responsibility to keep passengers safe when they use the bus. If you have been involved in a bus accident, you may not understand what rights you have or which responsibilities the bus company owes you. A Richmond bus accident lawyer can provide knowledgeable guidance and strong advocacy throughout your case.

Hire a Bus Accident Lawyer

Many Virginia laws govern when someone can file a claim for damages against a bus driver. You also have only a limited time to file your claim before you lose the right to do so. These issues can be handled by experienced legal counsel when you hire a bus accident lawyer from Brooks y Baez. Our firm has extensive knowledge of the local, state, and federal laws that could affect your claim.

Our bilingual team works with English- and Spanish-speaking clients throughout Richmond as they navigate the lesiones personales claim process. We can gather evidence, submit your claim within the necessary deadlines, and pursue compensation on your behalf. Our firm has a proven record of recovering fair compensation for our clients.

Bus Accidents in Virginia

Traffic accidents involving a private or commercial bus have the potential to cause serious injuries and large-scale damage, especially when other vehicles are involved. According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, in 2025, there were a total of 538 bus crashes, accounting for 0.5% of all traffic crashes. These resulted in:

• 5 fatalities
• 228 injuries
• 305 cases of property damage

Also, during 2025, there were a total of 564 school bus crashes, accounting for 0.5% of all traffic crashes. School bus crashes resulted in 219 injuries and 345 cases of property damage.

Bus crashes are more likely to happen in areas with heavy congestion and high pedestrian traffic. Some of the most dangerous roads in Richmond for bus accidents include: 

• Broad Street
• Hull Street Road
• Belvidere Street
• Chamberlayne Avenue
• The urban areas of Interstate 95 and Interstate 64

Some of the most dangerous intersections include:

• Belvidere Street and Broad Street
• Chippenham Parkway and Forest Hill Avenue
• Hermitage Road and Laburnum Avenue
• Commerce Road and Hull Street Road

After you have been involved in a bus accident, one of the first things you need to do, before you can file a compensation claim, is determine if the bus involved in the accident belongs to a private company or is run by a government entity. The deadline for filing your claim can change, depending on who is responsible for the bus.

In most cases, your settlement agreement can be negotiated directly with the company responsible for the bus. However, there are times when fair compensation is not offered, so you may need to file a claim in civil court. In Richmond, your personal injury claim can be filed at the Richmond Circuit Court, located inside the John Marshall Courts Building at 400 N. 9th Street.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents

Bus accidents can result in severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, amputations, and less serious lacerations, scrapes, and bruises. You should not be responsible for paying to treat your injuries following a bus accident. Determining who is liable for the accident is necessary to find out which party is responsible for paying your damages.

Many parties could ultimately be liable for a bus accident. Entre ellos se incluyen:

• Bus driver. If the bus driver fails to follow traffic laws, they could be liable for the accident. A bus driver who behaves recklessly, drives while distracted, speeds, or is fatigued could be responsible for the accident. Driving while impaired could also be a serious factor in an accident.
• Fallas mecánicas. Buses rely on many mechanical systems to operate effectively. If one of these systems suffers a critical failure due to a faulty part or improper maintenance, the company responsible for making that part or maintaining that system could be held liable.
• Poor bus driver training. When hiring bus drivers, the bus company has the responsibility to ensure that every driver holds the proper license and certifications necessary to drive a bus. The bus company is also responsible for any required ongoing training.
• Other drivers. Buses must share the road with all types of other drivers. Drivers of passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and motorcycles could contribute to a bus accident. There is also the potential for pedestrians y bicyclists to cause an incident.
• Bus passengers. In some instances, the passengers on the bus could contribute to an accident. If passengers behave poorly while on the bus, they could distract the driver, resulting in a crash.
• Dangerous weather conditions. When the weather conditions are poor, or the weather changes suddenly, it could contribute to an accident. Heavy rain, snow, or fog could reduce visibility. Rain and snow also contribute to slippery roadways.
• Unsafe road conditions. Areas with ongoing road construction or roads that have not been properly maintained could cause a bus accident. When roads are crumbling or there are large potholes, appropriate signage should be visible to bus drivers.

There are special circumstances to consider when filing a bus accident claim. If an employee of the Commonwealth of Virginia is responsible, Code of Virginia Article 18.1 dictates how long you have to file your claim and the maximum amount you can recover. Likewise, if the responsible party is a county, city, or town, Code of Virginia Section 15.2-209 allows for claims to be filed no later than six months after such cause of action accrued.

Types of Compensation You Could Obtain After a Bus Accident

There are two main types of damages you can seek compensation for after a bus accident: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are monetary expenses you have accrued due to the accident. These could include lost wages, medical expenses, and the costs to repair or replace damaged property.

Non-economic damages are more abstract costs you have suffered. These could include emotional distress, pain and suffering, or the loss of enjoyment of life if you have suffered severe or lesiones catastróficas.

Preguntas frecuentes

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Bus Accident Lawyer in Virginia?

There’s generally no upfront cost to hire a bus accident lawyer in Virginia, as personal injury claims are usually charged on a contingency fee basis. With a contingency fee, you are only responsible for payment if your attorney wins your case or negotiates a settlement. If your case does not end with compensation, you do not owe any fee. Your Richmond bus accident attorney’s fee is agreed upon at the start of your case and paid directly from your compensation.

How Much Compensation Can You Get After a Bus Accident?

There is no set compensation amount after a bus accident. Instead, the amount of compensation you could get is based on the severity of the injuries you have suffered. Minor to moderate injuries usually result in smaller settlements than severe or catastrophic injuries.

A fair settlement offer should cover the damages you have sustained, including medical bills, lost wages, and the costs associated with damaged property. You can also seek compensation for non-economic damages you suffered from the accident.

Is Virginia a No-Fault State for Bus Accidents?

No, Virginia is not a no-fault state for bus accidents. The party found liable for the accident is responsible for paying any damages victims suffered due to the incident. In a bus accident, there are many potential liable parties, depending on the circumstances leading to the crash. The liable party could be:

• The bus driver
• The bus manufacturer
• A parts manufacturer
• The person who performed maintenance on the bus
• Another driver
• A passenger

How Long After a Bus Accident Can You File a Claim in Virginia?

How long you have to file a claim after a bus accident in Virginia depends on several factors. Under the Código de Virginia, sección 8.01-243, personal injury claims have a two-year statute of limitations, but claims filed against a government organization only have from six months to one year, depending on the specific government organization. Claims strictly for property damage have a five-year statute of limitations.

What Special Duties of Care Do Bus Companies Owe Passengers in Virginia?

In Virginia, bus companies owe passengers the highest degree of practical care, diligence, and foresight to ensure the safety of everyone who uses the bus. Bus companies have specific obligations, including safe operations with consideration of speed, traffic laws, maintaining a proper lookout, and safe maneuvering on the street.

Bus companies also must maintain vehicle maintenance standards and hire qualified staff. Bus drivers are responsible for safe boarding and alighting.

Póngase en contacto con Brooks & Baez

During a bus accident case, you should not be faced with the need to advocate for your rights and interests while also recovering from any injuries you suffered. Our team can advocate for you at every step of the process. We understand the intricacies of the state’s bus accident laws in Richmond and how they could affect your case. Póngase en contacto con Brooks & Baez today to schedule your initial consultation.