Altoona Bus Accident Lawyer

Were you hurt in a bus accident in Altoona, Pennsylvania? These accidents can involve transit buses, school buses, and other large vehicles and often result in serious injuries and expensive property damage.

Fortunately, an Altoona bus accident lawyer at our firm may hold the liable parties accountable for the emotional, physical, and financial harm they caused you. Our team of personal injury attorneys at Berger and Green can use our experience and legal knowledge to seek a settlement or file a personal injury lawsuit after your wreck.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents

Bus accidents in Altoona can involve public transit vehicles like Amtran buses, school buses operated by the Altoona Area School District, charter buses, or private shuttles. These crashes often occur on high-traffic roads such as Plank Road, Logan Boulevard, and 17th Street, where congestion and frequent stops increase the risk of collisions.

Some of the most common causes of bus accidents in the area include:

• Driver Fatigue: Bus drivers often operate on demanding schedules. Fatigue can slow reaction times or cause lapses in attention, especially during early morning or late-night shifts on Amtran routes.
• Distracted Driving: Whether it’s a driver checking a GPS, using a mobile device, or simply engaging in conversation, any moment of distraction behind the wheel can be dangerous. On busy roads near Penn State Altoona or downtown shopping centers, distractions can lead to rear-end or sideswipe collisions.
• Speeding or Reckless Driving: Buses require longer stopping distances. Speeding, especially downhill, can make it harder to avoid an accident.
• Improper Turns or Lane Changes: Due to their size, buses need ample space to turn or merge. When drivers misjudge distances or change lanes without checking blind spots, they risk striking nearby vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians.
• Inadequate Maintenance: Bus companies are responsible for keeping vehicles in safe working condition. Worn brakes, bald tires, or steering issues can all lead to preventable crashes.
• Poor Weather Conditions: Altoona’s winters bring snow, ice, and slippery roads. Buses that aren’t properly equipped for winter driving (or drivers that drive dangerously during these periods) may slide, skid, or struggle to brake safely.
• Other Driver Negligence: Not all bus accidents are the bus driver’s fault. Drivers of other vehicles may cut off a bus, stop short, or fail to yield, triggering a crash involving multiple parties.
• Inexperienced or Poorly Trained Drivers: Commercial and school bus drivers must meet strict training standards. Failure to provide proper instruction can lead to preventable mistakes, especially in high-traffic areas or tight urban spaces.

Accidents can happen at intersections, near schools, or even while passengers are boarding or exiting. Whether you were injured on an Amtran bus or struck by a large vehicle on your daily commute, the cause of the crash plays a crucial role in determining who is financially responsible. Let an Altoona bus accident attorney help you determine the cause of your crash and who to hold legally liable.

How You Can Recover Damages for a Bus Accident

Bus accidents often result in serious financial losses tied to healthcare expenses and vehicle repairs. However, you may have a chance to seek compensation for these damages from the other party.

Your Altoona bus accident attorney can review the facts of your case to look at who caused the crash. Our team focuses on showing that:

• Someone involved in the accident owed you a duty of care.
• The individual violated their duty.
• The individual’s actions directly caused your bus accident, injuries, and other damages.

Depending on the facts of your case, we may show negligence on the part of the bus driver, bus company, or bus manufacturer. We may also look into the actions of other drivers involved in the collision to determine if they played a role in causing the crash.

What Damages Can You Seek for a Bus Accident in Altoona, PA?

After a bus accident, you may work with an Altoona bus accident attorney on our team to recover compensation for the following losses:

Medical Expenses

The liable party may have to cover your emergency medical care, time in a hospital, surgeries, medications, and physical therapy. Additionally, you may receive a financial award to cover any assistive devices, like crutches or a wheelchair, that you need after your collision.

Lost Income

Did you have to take off work to recover after your Altoona bus accident? If so, you may receive funds to cover your lost income.

In some cases, these accidents leave you with permanent conditions that prevent you from returning to work—at least to the same capacity. In this situation, the individual who caused the accident may have to cover your lost earning potential.

Property Damage

If you were driving your vehicle at the time of a bus accident, it could sustain serious damage, requiring repairs. In some cases, a bus collision may even total your car, meaning you have to replace it. You can claim these repair and replacement costs in your case against the other party.

Pain and Suffering

Finally, you may experience pain and mental anguish after a bus wreck. Our team of lawyers can assess the value of your non-economic losses to help you seek financial coverage for them accordingly.

Can You File a Case After a Fatal Bus Accident?

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 156 fatal bus accidents in 2020. If you lost a loved one to such an event, please accept our condolences.

Your Altoona bus accident attorney can compassionately care for your family while working on a wrongful death claim or lawsuit. Depending on your situation, we could help you seek awards to cover your late loved one’s medical expenses and funeral costs.

We understand the effects of losing a loved one. While securing a financial settlement cannot bring them back, it can provide you with financial stability while you focus on the emotional needs of your family.

What Services Do Our Bus Accident Attorneys Offer?

After a bus accident, we step in to guide you through the legal process of securing compensation for your losses. We begin with a free consultation, allowing you to discuss what happened and share your point of view with our legal team.

We may decide to take on your case after the consultation. At this point, we can personalize the services we offer to meet your unique needs. We may:

• Dig into the causes of your bus accident
• Review the losses you sustained after a bus collision
• Deal with insurance agents on your behalf
• Go over methods to handle your case

Depending on the facts of your case, we may suggest that you settle the case with the insurance company. In other cases, an Altoona bus accident attorney may recommend that you file a lawsuit. We can help you find a strategy that works for your case.

Challenges in Suing Bus Companies

Filing a claim against a bus company after an accident in Altoona can be more complicated than a typical car crash case. Whether the bus was operated by a private charter company or a public system like Amtran, specific legal hurdles can arise. One of the biggest challenges is determining who owns and operates the bus:

• If it’s a government entity, such as a public school district or a city-run transit system, you may face strict notice deadlines and procedural rules under Pennsylvania’s sovereign immunity laws. These cases often require providing formal notice of a claim within just six months of the incident.
• Even when the bus is owned by a private company, these businesses often have strong legal teams and large insurance providers working to protect their interests. They may try to minimize their liability or shift blame to other parties involved in the accident.

Another obstacle is the preservation of critical evidence. Bus companies control key materials like driver logs, maintenance records, and onboard video footage. Without immediate legal action, this evidence can be lost or withheld, making it harder to prove negligence.

Because of these challenges, it’s vital to work with an attorney who understands the complexities of bus accident litigation. Our Altoona bus accident attorneys can help you oversome these legal barriers, protect your rights, and build a strong case against any liable party.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Bus Accident in Altoona?

Determining liability in a bus accident isn’t always straightforward. Multiple parties may share responsibility depending on how the crash occurred. Our Altoona bus accident attorneys investigate every angle to identify who is at fault. Potentially liable parties may include:

• The Bus Driver: If the driver was speeding, distracted, or otherwise negligent, they may be personally liable.
• The Bus Company or Employer: Companies can be held responsible for their employees’ actions, poor hiring practices, or lack of training and maintenance oversight.
• Other Drivers: If another motorist caused the collision by cutting off the bus or running a red light, they may be at fault.
• Bus or Parts Manufacturers: Mechanical failures caused by defective parts may lead to product liability claims.
• Maintenance Contractors: A third party hired to service the bus may be liable if poor maintenance contributed to the crash.
• Government Entities: If the accident involved public transit, the city or school district could be partially responsible.

Identifying the right party is key to securing fair compensation. We gather evidence to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable.

How Do Our Bus Accident Attorneys Investigate a Case?

Our law firm can use various investigative techniques to handle bus accident cases for clients like you. We may interview witnesses, including:

• Passengers on the bus
• Pedestrians or bikers around at the time of the accident
• Other drivers or car passengers

In addition to gathering witness statements, we may collect a copy of your police report, visit the scene of the accident, and work with accident reconstruction specialists.

How Long Do You Have to File a Bus Accident Claim?

Under Pa. C.S.A. § 5524, you generally have two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit following a bus accident. However, this time limit varies in some cases. 

If you don’t file by the end of the time frame, you may no longer qualify to seek damages from the other party.

What Do Our Bus Accident Attorneys Serving Altoona Charge?

At Berger and Green, we don’t require any upfront or out-of-pocket costs to start working on your case. Our Altoona bus accident attorneys work on a contingency basis, so you only pay legal fees after they resolve your case.

What to Do After a Bus Accident

The moments after a bus accident can be a lot to handle right now, but you can protect your health and your legal rights. Here’s what you should do:

• Call 911 – Report the accident and request medical assistance. A police report will also serve as important evidence later.
• Seek Medical Care – Make sure you see a doctor, even if you think your injuries are not serious. Some injuries, like concussions or internal trauma, may not show symptoms right away.
• Document the Scene – If you’re able, take photos of the vehicles, your injuries, and the surrounding area. Collect contact information from witnesses and others involved in the crash.
• Avoid Giving Statements – Don’t admit fault or speculate about what happened, especially to insurance adjusters. What you say could be used against you.
• Contact an Attorney – A bus accident lawyer in Altoona can help you preserve evidence, handle communication with insurers, and begin building your case right away.

Taking these steps early can make a significant difference in your ability to recover compensation. At Berger and Green, we’re here to guide you through the next steps with care and clarity.

Have Our Lawyers Work on Your Altoona, PA, Bus Wreck Case

Are you ready to seek legal help after a bus wreck? You can work with an Altoona bus accident lawyer from Berger and Green today. We can review your situation, discuss your legal options, and help you seek compensation for your losses.

Connect with our firm to start your free consultation today.