Nashville Bus Accident Lawyers
Experienced bus accident attorneys in Nashville, Hendersonville, and Clarksville
At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, our experienced Nashville bus accident lawyers protect the rights of our clients who have been injured in bus accidents and other modes of public transportation accidents. We are well versed in gathering the evidence required to present a compelling case – things such as expert testimony on the probable cause of the accident, testimony from the passengers and those who witnessed the crash, and video recordings and photographs taken of the accident and the scene of the crash. We’re also skilled at explaining to insurance adjusters and juries what injuries you have, the medical care you need, and every way your injuries affect every part of your life.
How can we help?
- What mass transit options are available in Nashville?
- How often do bus accidents happen?
- Why do bus accidents happen in Tennessee?
- What injuries do Nashville bus accident victims suffer?
- Who is liable for my Nashville bus accident?
- What’s the value of my Nashville mass transit accident?
- Do you have a mass transit accident lawyer near me?
What mass transit options are available in Nashville?
Nashville and its surrounding areas have many options for public transportation. These include:
How often do bus accidents happen?
The federal agency that tracks bus accidents in the US is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). They track large truck accidents and bus accidents lumped together in one number, so their statistics include injuries and fatalities in both large truck and bus accidents.
In 2020, there were 4,588 accidents involving large trucks and buses, causing 847 deaths. Fatal bus crashes involved 46 school buses, nine intercity buses, and 86 transit buses. Many more people were injured.
There are different types of buses in Nashville:
- Public transit, for getting around the city.
- School transit, for local students.
- Private transit, for the many private charter buses and tourist buses throughout Nashville.
- Local transit, including shuttle buses often used by hotels and Nashville International Airport.
Bus drivers are required to have a commercial driver’s license and complete a training program because the safety of multiple riders is at risk. While bus accidents are rarer than car and truck accidents, when bus accidents do happen, many people are likely to be injured or killed at one time.
Why do bus accidents happen in Tennessee?
As with any type of motor vehicle crash, the most common cause of bus accidents is driver error. Whether the accident took place along a busy highway or on a city street, some of the more common causes of bus crashes include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving while drowsy
- Speeding and other traffic violations
- Driving too fast for weather or traffic conditions
- Mechanical failure
- Faulty vehicle maintenance
- Driver inexperience
Towns like Nashville and Clarksville are tourist hot spots, so we see a lot of buses going through our streets. Whether you were injured on a metro line or tourist bus, we know how to build a successful case for compensation on your behalf.
What injuries do Nashville bus accident victims suffer?
Buses, like those used for public transportation in major cities, do not include safety belts, so when there is a serious crash, passengers can suffer significant injuries because they are unrestrained within the vehicle. Some of the most common injuries that occur from bus crashes may include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
- Spinal cord damage or paralysis
- Burns
- Fractures/broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Neck, shoulder, and back injuries
- Damage to internal organs
Being a passenger on a bus is not the only way to be involved in a bus accident. You could be a pedestrian walking across the street and get struck by a bus whose driver did not see you. You might be a passenger in a car that gets into a crash with a bus. Naturally, the injuries a pedestrian might suffer in a bus crash would be far more significant than a passenger on the bus or even in another vehicle.
Who is liable for my Nashville bus accident?
In the US, mass transit vehicles are subject to common carrier liability, which means that these carriers may be held liable when their driver's negligence can be proven to have caused a crash. As common carriers, public transportation operators owe a high duty of care to protect the safety of their passengers.
Our Nashville mass transit accident lawyers file claims against all the responsible parties, including:
- The driver of the bus
- The owner of the bus, which could be a governmental entity such as a city, school district, or a private business
- A driver of another vehicle such as a car or truck
- A manufacturer of a defective car or truck part
- A maintenance or repair company that was required to inspect or fix the bus
What’s the value of my Nashville mass transit accident?
Bus accident investigations can be lengthy and complicated, but the knowledgeable Nashville bus accident attorneys at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm have experience in this area of the law and we know how to get answers for our clients. If you or a loved one has sustained a serious injury in a bus accident, you may be able to take legal action against the responsible parties.
Liable defendants should pay for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, and loss of body function. If the bus struck your vehicle, you can claim the property damage to your vehicle.
If your loved one died as a result of the collision, we will file a wrongful death action for the family members.
Do you have a mass transit accident lawyer near me?
Rocky McElhaney Law Firm has four convenient locations to serve you.
Our two Nashville locations are located at Mainstream Drive, #105 and 615 Main Street, B21. We also have locations in Hendersonville, East Nashville, and Clarksville. We can meet ill or immobile clients at their homes or a hospital, or via phone or videoconference.
We’ll answer your questions and aggressively pursue your claim. We work with investigators and others to show how the accident happened and who is responsible. We work with your doctors, employers, family, and YOU to show all your damages.
Let our attorneys fight for you after a bus accident in or around Nashville
At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, our Nashville bus accident attorneys welcome the honor and opportunity to represent you if you have suffered an injury due to a bus or mass transit accident. Call our offices or fill out our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation. We handle vehicle accident claims on a contingency fee basis. Our lawyers serve Nashville, Hendersonville, East Nashville, and Clarksville.
Visit our Nashville Offices
Rocky McElhaney Law Firm
545 Mainstream Dr., #105
Nashville, TN 37228
Phone: (615) 425-2500
Rocky McElhaney Law Firm
615 Main St., B21,
Nashville, TN 37206
Phone: (615) 393-8585