injury law denver

In a growing city like Denver, Colorado, many people choose mass transportation to commute. The Denver RTD bus system, shuttle buses to the airport, ski resorts, casino’s etc., have all expanded in and have become popular among residents and tourists. Our team at Matlin Injury Law has handled both minor and catastrophic bus accidents. If you have been injured on a bus, whether it is the fault of the bus driver or another vehicle, give our lawyers a call and we can help you obtain the medical treatment you need and the compensation you deserve.

Bus Driver’s Duty of Care

Bus drivers and bus companies owe to their passengers and others, a highhanded duty of care. Buses are considered a “common carrier.” A common carrier is in the regular business of transporting people and/or freight. Under Colorado law, “common carriers” owe their passengers a heightened duty of care and protection. Common carriers have a higher level duty to drive with the utmost care and protect the passengers and other vehicles sharing the road. In some cases, this means that establishing liability against a “common carrier” may be easier than proving a case against private care. However, despite this higher level of responsibility, bus drivers do not always drive safely, and in some cases are not trained properly. As a result, in some cases, innocent people are injured. Given the size and weight of most buses, a bus accident can cause severe injury to anyone involved. You should strongly consider contacting a lawyer at our Colorado injury firm if you have been in an accident involving a bus. If you have been injured on a bus, whether it is the fault of the bus driver or another vehicle, give our lawyers a call and we can help you obtain the medical treatment you need and the compensation you deserve.


Bus Accident Claims and Governmental Entities

If you have been involved in a bus accident, it is very important to contact an attorney and begin an investigation right away. In Colorado, many buses are owned or operated by local governments, such as the Regional Transportation District (RTD) buses. Because of this, the bus company may be a governmental entity and the bus driver may be a government employee. Colorado law, C.R.S. 24-10-109, requires prompt notification to all governmental entities regarding any potential claim against them. In fact, under Colorado law, an injured party must provide written notice that complies with the notice requirements in the statute within 180 days of the incident. The notice requirement must include:

  • The name and address of the claimant and the name and address of his attorney
  • A concise statement of the facts of the incident, including the date, time, place, and circumstances of the incident
  • The name and address of any public employee involved, if known
  • A brief statement of the nature and the extent of the injury claimed to have been suffered
  • A statement of the amount of monetary damages that is being requested

The law requires strict compliance with each element of the notice requirement. Failure to comply with the notice requirements described in C.R.S. 24-10-109 can result in losing your claim automatically. Additionally, if the bus company is a governmental entity, you may be limited to recovering a maximum of $150,000.00 for your injuries. A bus accident lawyer at our Colorado injury firm can make sure you file a claim before the deadline and help you understand your rights. Each bus accident lawyer at Matlin Injury Law works with a knowledgeable legal team to prepare your case. Our firm has extensive experience in pursuing claims against bus companies and governmental entities and provides skilled, aggressive representation to injury victims.

Bus companies and local governments vigorously defend against bus accidents. Therefore, it is important to immediately investigate while the physical evidence is still fresh on the scene. It is also important to immediately inspect the bus driver’s training history and driving record. Dealing with a bus company, the local government, or the insurance company after a collision with a bus is very different than dealing with an insurance company that insures a private passenger car. It is very important that you have someone to act quickly on your behalf to file the required notices and preserve your claim against the bus company or governmental entity. A bus accident lawyer at Matlin Injury Law will work on your behalf to make sure you are treated fairly by the bus company, the local government and their insurance company.