Bus Accident Liability Claims
Las Vegas, Nevada
Suing for a bus accident
If you got hurt in a bus accident, ended up in a hospital, and lost income after the accident, call us at 702-432-1000 to speak directly with a bus accident attorney.
We can help you receive full and fair compensation for your injuries and other damages.
We represent clients in Las Vegas and Nevada.
We also represent many tourists injured in a bus accident while visiting Las Vegas.
Bus accident definition
A bus accident is a type of traffic collision that involves:
- A motor vehicle,
- A pedestrian,
- A stationary object (such as trees, electric poles, or guardrails), or
- An animal.
Although bus safety has dramatically improved in recent decades, bus accidents remain relatively common and can cause severe personal injuries and even death.
The bus accident statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), bus accidents are responsible for about 300 fatalities yearly.
Where do bus accidents often occur in Nevada?
In the past years, several serious bus crashes have occurred along Interstate 15 (I-15) — the main freeway connecting Las Vegas with California and Utah. Accidents often happen in downtown Las Vegas, especially near bus stops.
Causes of bus accidents
Bus accidents can occur for various reasons, but most often are caused by driver error.
Other factors contributing to bus accidents, especially tour bus or long-distance bus accidents, include:
- Driver fatigue,
- Reckless driving,
- Illegal or unsafe turns,
- Dangerous road conditions,
- Maintenance failures,
- Inadequate bus driver training.
In October 2025, a 12-year-old girl was killed after being struck by a school bus while on her bicycle near Bradley Road and West Tropical Parkway. The bus driver was found at fault for not leaving enough room on the road.
In August 2025, a pickup truck failed to yield and crashed into a school bus carrying 31 students, resulting in injuries.
Bus accidents we handle
Attorneys at Heshmati & Associates handle all types of bus accident claims in Las Vegas and Nevada, including:
- School buses,
- Private tour buses,
- City buses,
- Charter buses,
- Shuttle buses,
- Intercity buses (e.g., Greyhound, Megabus, FlixBus).
Bus accident laws
The laws regulating bus accidents are complex and depend on several factors:
- The company operating the bus,
- The location of the crash, and
- Where the bus is registered.
Investigating a bus accident is lengthy and costly and requires an extensive understanding of local, state, and federal laws.
The duty of care and bus accident liability claims
The laws of the United States stipulate that all people have the legal obligation to act reasonably to avoid injuries to other people. The official term for this is called a "duty of care."
The duty of care applies to all motor collision cases, including bus accidents. If, for example, a bus driver causes the bus to crash because he was using his cell phone while driving, injured passengers have the right to sue the driver, even though he did not intend to cause injuries to the passengers.
In addition, bus companies, similar to trains, light rail, airplanes, or airport shuttle companies, are considered common carriers. They have a legal responsibility to show a higher duty of care since they offer their services for a fee. As a result, they are liable for the passenger's injuries, even if the bus company proved that they were only "slightly at fault."
Who is liable for a bus accident?
Establishing liability is the most challenging part of a bus accident. Below is a short list of parties that could be found liable:
- Bus drivers,
- The driver of another motor vehicle (car, motorcycle, truck),
- Managers/supervisors at the bus company,
- The bus company itself,
- The manufacturer of the bus,
- Bus maintenance company,
- The city government can also be liable when public buses are involved.
In Nevada, the party liable for the accident is financially responsible for all damages.
Issues/challenges of bus accident liability claims
Even when the bus driver is found at fault, filing a claim can be challenging because of the complicated laws and the massive bureaucracy that bus companies (private or public) have. When the accident involves a public bus (such as a school bus or a city transit bus), the problem becomes even more complicated as the passenger has to file a claim against a government body.
Collecting the evidence
Special rules involve collecting evidence after the bus accident.
Unlike car accidents, where the driver collects evidence and files liability claims to the insurance company, the company that operates the bus takes over the investigation. It inevitably creates a conflict of interest because the bus company will try to minimize its liability and, even better, release its liability from the accident.
In 2022, the RTC of Southern Nevada installed interior and exterior cameras on each bus and provided Metro police access to the live stream.
What to do if you get injured in a bus accident
There are four steps to follow after a bus accident in Las Vegas:
1. Collect as much information as possible about the accident. Accurately record the exact location, date, time, bus description (bus number, operating company, route, etc.), and accident circumstances.
2. Document in detail your injuries. Record pain levels, location of pain, and sources of bleeding. Take pictures and record videos of your injuries.
3. If you end up in a hospital, save all hospital records.
4. Contact a bus accident attorney in Las Vegas or Nevada. Do not rely on the bus company investigators to "take care of everything."
We invite you to call us at 702-432-1000 to discuss your case.
If you were partially at fault
Nevada uses the rule of modified comparative negligence. The plaintiff could collect compensation from all other at-fault parties if the plaintiff were less than 51% responsible for the accident.
It applies to bus accident lawsuits.
Cap on damages
If a Clark County government-operated vehicle is involved in a bus accident, there is typically a $100,000 cap on damages. However, 'public' buses, such as the CAT bus, are operated by private entities and must carry commercial insurance policies similar to those used by taxis and other transportation businesses. In Las Vegas, these commercial policies can provide coverage exceeding $1,000,000 per bus accident.
How much can you get from a bus accident settlement?
The bus accident victims may be entitled to get compensated to cover their:
- Medical bills (past, present, future),
- Lost salary, wages, and tips,
- Loss of future earnings,
- Rehabilitation,
- Pain and suffering,
- PTSD treatment,
- Wrongful death.
Some bus accidents result in permanent disability and require long-term care.
Can I sue for lost wages if the bus was late or canceled?
In most cases, no. You cannot sue a public or private bus company for being late or canceling service, even if it caused you to miss work or lose wages. Bus schedules are not legally binding contracts, and delays or cancellations usually fall under “service reliability,” not negligence.
However, if the delay or cancellation was due to gross negligence or misconduct—for example, a bus driver abandoning passengers in unsafe conditions, or a company failing to follow safety or maintenance regulations—you may have grounds for a claim.
Still, if the person was injured in a bus accident, the lost wages are part of the accident injury compensation.
What if you start feeling pain days after a bus accident?
It's common for pain to show up days - or even a week - after a bus accident. Your body is in shock after the crash, and adrenaline can mask pain. Once that wears off, you might notice soreness in your neck or back. Bruises or swelling may appear later, too.
The good news is that you can still have a valid accident compensation claim if you seek medical treatment within about a week after the accident. Don't ignore new pain - get checked by a doctor and document everything.
Onboard camera recordings
Most public and private buses in Nevada — including RTC and school buses — are equipped with onboard surveillance cameras, recording both video and audio inside the bus, and some also capture footage from the front, sides, and rear exterior of the vehicle.
The footage can help to decide who was at fault and how the event unfolded. Transit agencies and private carriers typically retain this video for a limited time — often 30 to 90 days, depending on the company's policy — unless there is an active claim or investigation.
If you were injured or involved in a bus accident, your attorney can submit a formal evidence preservation request to ensure the footage isn't deleted or overwritten.
What if my car hits the bus and the bus doesn't have insurance? Can I still sue?
Yes. Even if the bus doesn't have insurance, you can still sue the bus driver or company for damages if they were at fault. Lack of insurance doesn't erase their legal responsibility. However, collecting compensation may be harder if the company or driver has limited assets. A bus accident attorney can help you identify other possible sources of recovery, such as company assets or third-party liability coverage.
Can my employer fire me for missing work after a bus accident injury?
Yes, unless you were working at the time of the accident. If you were on the bus for a work-related purpose—such as traveling between your company's headquarters and a job site—you were considered “on the clock.” In that case, your injuries would be work-related, and your employer cannot legally fire you for missing work while recovering.
If I'm injured in a charter bus accident between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, which state’s lawyer should I hire?
It depends on where the accident happened. If the crash occurred in Nevada, hire an attorney licensed to practice in Nevada. If it happened in California, you'll need a California attorney. In most cases, your claim must be filed in the state where the accident occurred.
Bus congestion on the Las Vegas Strip
Bus traffic on the Las Vegas Strip is consistently heavy. Millions of visitors rely on public transportation instead of rental cars, using city buses to travel along the Strip or take sightseeing tours. Intercity services such as Greyhound, Megabus, and FlixBus also bring thousands of passengers in and out of the city each week, adding to the congestion.
A bus accident lawyer can help
If you were injured in a bus accident, hospitalized, or missed work, you need an experienced bus accident attorney on your side.
Call us today to discuss your case.
We'll gather evidence, identify responsible parties, work with experts, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if needed, fight for you in court.
To speak with a bus accident lawyer, call us at 702-432-1000.
We handle all bus accident claims contingently - no fees or costs unless we win compensation for you.
We represent clients across Las Vegas and Nevada, including tourists injured while visiting.
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