Public and private buses transport thousands of people through Fort Collins every day. A crash involving one of these vehicles can cause multiple injuries at once and trigger a complicated web of insurance policies, government rules, and filing deadlines.
Choosing Boesen Law as your bus accident law firm means partnering with a team who knows the legal intricacies of bus accident claims—and how to fight for every dollar you deserve.
Reach out to our law firm for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation today. Call our personal injury lawyers in the state of Colorado at (303) 999-9999 or contact us online.
Unlike many personal injury firms, we bring trial-tested experience in commercial transportation and government liability cases. Our reputation for preparing every case as if it’s going to court has helped us recover over $4 million for motor vehicle accident victims across Colorado. Insurers and government entities know we’re prepared to litigate rather than settle for lowball offers, which often leads to better results faster for our clients.
Our Commitment to Justice in Bus Accident Cases in Fort Collins
Bus collisions differ from typical car crashes. Multiple victims, large corporate insurers, and, in public transit cases, strict filing deadlines all demand a precise legal approach.
Our personal injury lawyers in Fort Collins know how to navigate these challenges and have secured high-value results in related cases in Colorado, as shown in our case results. We build strong cases from the start, pushing insurers to settle fairly or risk trial.
Public vs. Private Bus Accidents: Legal Differences You Should Know
Government-owned buses in Fort Collins, like city transit vehicles, fall under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act. This means injury claims must be filed within 182 days under C.R.S. § 24-10-109. Government entities also enjoy damage caps, which can sharply limit how much compensation victims can recover unless gross negligence or other exceptions apply.
Private bus companies, on the other hand, are subject to ordinary personal injury laws and federal transportation regulations. This allows victims to pursue full damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. These cases often involve significant insurance policies but also aggressive legal defense teams aiming to protect the company’s bottom line.
At Boesen Law, our bus accident lawyers ensure every notice deadline is met, and we know how to push back against arguments meant to reduce your claim’s value.
Injuries we commonly see in bus accident claims
Based on our experience handling claims in Fort Collins and across Colorado, we see these injuries most often:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): TBIs can result from hitting windows, poles, or other interior structures in a bus during a crash. Even a mild concussion may cause ongoing headaches, memory issues, or mood changes. The CDC reports that falls and motor vehicle crashes are leading causes of TBI nationwide.
- Spinal cord injuries and disc trauma: Sudden jolts or rollovers can damage vertebrae, spinal discs, or the spinal cord itself. This can lead to paralysis, permanent nerve pain, or loss of motor function. In Colorado, spinal injury claims often demand high compensation due to projected medical costs exceeding hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime.
- Fractures and crush injuries: Bus passengers often sustain broken bones or crush injuries when thrown against poles, seats, or other passengers. Hip, arm, and leg fractures are especially common. According to NHTSA data, large vehicle collisions are disproportionately associated with fractures requiring surgical intervention.
- Severe lacerations and degloving wounds: Sharp metal edges, shattered glass, and torn seat frames can cause deep cuts or degloving injuries, which involve extensive skin and tissue damage requiring reconstructive surgery.
- Internal injuries: High-force impacts can rupture internal organs like the spleen, liver, or intestines, sometimes with life-threatening bleeding. Immediate imaging and surgery are often required in such cases.
- Burn injuries: While rarer, fires from bus fuel systems or electrical components can cause thermal burns. Chemical spills, especially on charter buses carrying hazardous cargo, also pose burn risks.
- Psychological trauma: Bus accidents frequently result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and sleep disturbances, especially in children or passengers witnessing severe injuries. Research from the National Institute of Mental Health highlights that vehicle crashes are a leading cause of PTSD among civilians.
Catastrophic injuries from bus accidents, like paralysis or brain trauma, often require lifelong care. At Boesen Law, we work with medical specialists, including neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, and mental health professionals, to document these injuries thoroughly. This helps ensure settlement demands account for long-term treatment, rehabilitation, and the true costs of recovery.
Your Right to Compensation After a Bus Accident
If you were injured in a bus accident, Colorado law lets you seek compensation for both financial and personal losses.
Medical Costs: Emergency, Surgery, and Ongoing Care
Medical costs include ER treatment, surgeries, prescriptions, and future care. We gather records, consult your providers, and work with life-care planners to document every expense.
Lost Income and Reduced Earning Potential
Lost income covers missed work and reduced earning ability. Our team calculates lost wages and, when needed, brings in vocational experts to support future income claims.
Pain, Suffering & Emotional Distress
Pain and suffering damages cover physical pain, mental distress, and emotional trauma. State law (C.R.S. § 13-21-102.5) limits how much can be awarded unless clear proof justifies more.
Future Rehabilitation and Support Services
Ongoing support like rehab, in-home care, or mobility aids may be necessary. Boesen Law includes these future costs in your claim through detailed projections and expert analysis.
Property Damage and Out-of-Pocket Costs
Property losses such as destroyed phones, glasses, or travel costs can also be recovered. We can track receipts and estimate their value to include in your settlement demand.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Fort Collins Bus Accident Lawyer Today
Every bus accident case starts with one conversation. Boesen Law offers free in-person or virtual consultations to review accident facts and outline the next steps.
Contact us now—there is no fee unless we secure compensation. Let our Fort Collins team help you start the recovery process.
FAQs about bus accident claims in Fort Collins
How long do I have to file a bus accident claim in Fort Collins?
Deadlines vary depending on who operates the bus. If the crash involves a city-run bus, you typically have just 182 days to file a written notice under C.R.S. § 24-10-109. For private bus operators, most injury claims follow a two- or three-year statute of limitations, depending on the accident details.
Our team makes sure clients meet every deadline and handles the complicated legal notices required for government claims so no rights are lost due to paperwork mistakes.
What compensation is available after a bus accident in Fort Collins?
Compensation can include medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and property damage. However, claims against public bus services may be subject to damage caps under Colorado law. Some exceptions exist if there’s evidence of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
Our lawyers collaborate with doctors, vocational experts, and economists to capture the full financial picture of a client’s losses. We’ve recovered more than $4 million collectively for motor vehicle accident victims in Colorado and apply that experience to bus accident cases to pursue the maximum compensation possible.
Do I need an attorney if the insurance company already offered me a settlement?
Quick settlements might sound tempting, but they often fail to cover future medical costs, lost income, or the long-term impact of serious injuries. Insurers—especially government agencies—commonly make low offers to close cases fast.
Your bus accident attorney can review every offer in light of your long-term prognosis and the real financial impact of your injuries. Many of our clients have received far higher settlements than initial insurance offers once we’ve presented thorough medical and financial evidence.
How much does hiring a Fort Collins bus accident lawyer cost?
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront costs. Fees are only collected if we secure compensation for you.
Beyond handling your claim, we negotiate medical bills, identify hidden insurance policies, and manage the mountain of paperwork that often comes with bus accident cases—freeing clients to focus on their recovery rather than the legal process.
Reach out to our law firm for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation today. Call our personal injury lawyers in the state of Colorado at (303) 999-9999 or contact us online.
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