Olympia Bus Accident Lawyer
Bus accidents in Olympia can change lives in an instant. Victims often face not only serious injuries but also mounting medical bills, emotional distress, and the stress of navigating a complex legal process. Whether the crash involves a city bus, school bus, tour bus, or a private shuttle, the aftermath can leave accident victims and their families struggling to cope with physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial hardship.
At Brumley Law Firm, our Olympia personal injury attorneys are committed to helping victims of bus accidents seek accountability and pursue financial recovery permitted under Washington law. We understand how difficult it is to move forward after an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, and our dedicated team is here to provide guidance, support, and legal representation every step of the way.
Why Hire Brumley Law Firm for Your Bus Accident Case in Olympia?
Brumley Law Firm has extensive experience handling complex personal injury cases, including bus accident claims across Thurston County and beyond. Our deep understanding of Washington’s traffic laws, applicable laws governing bus companies, and the tactics used by insurance companies allows us to effectively advocate for our clients.
One unique advantage is that founding attorney Joshua Brumley is a former insurance attorney. This background provides invaluable insight into how insurance adjusters evaluate claims, deny coverage, or minimize payouts. Our law firm uses this knowledge to advocate for fair compensation consistent with the facts and applicable law.
We have successfully handled many personal injury cases in Washington, including those harmed in bus accidents, car accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, drunk driving accidents, and other traffic accidents. Our experience handling complex cases has helped us supported many clients in navigating their cases and pursuing fair outcomes, recognizing each case is unique. Results vary depending on the unique circumstances of each case
Client Testimonials
“The Brumley team treated me with compassion during one of the hardest times of my life. They explained the legal process clearly and fought hard to ensure my medical expenses and lost wages were covered.” – Former Client
“I was nervous about filing a personal injury claim, but Brumley Law Firm made everything manageable. Their dedication gave me peace of mind.” – Former Client
These testimonials reflect our commitment to treating every client with respect and pursuing justice with diligence.
How an Olympia Bus Accident Attorney Can Help You with a Case
Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer ensures that your rights are protected from day one. Our Olympia bus accident lawyers can:
- Handle all communications with insurance adjusters and bus companies.
- Investigate the accident scene, gather evidence, and work with accident reconstruction specialists.
- Consult with medical experts to establish the extent of your sustained injuries, including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other long-term conditions requiring ongoing care.
- Identify every potential responsible party, from the bus driver to negligent third parties.
- Negotiate aggressively for fair compensation, and if necessary, file a personal injury lawsuit to protect your interests.
Our legal team handle the legal process so you can focus on medical care and recovery while we work to advance your claim.
Common Types of Bus Accident Cases
Brumley Law Firm represents clients in a wide range of bus accident cases, including:
- Public transit bus crashes involving Intercity Transit in Olympia.
- School bus accidents affecting children in Thurston County.
- Private charter or tour bus collisions.
- Crashes caused by drunk driving accidents or distracted bus drivers.
- Pedestrian accidents or bicycle accidents involving buses.
- Bus accidents caused by defective parts or poor maintenance.
- Underinsured motorist accidents when another driver collides with a bus.
Each case is unique, but our Olympia personal injury lawyers have the knowledge and extensive experience needed to handle these complex cases.
Compensation You Can Obtain in a Bus Accident Case
In most personal injury cases, victims may seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses and medical costs (including emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care).
- Lost wages and lost income from time off work.
- Property damage, such as repair or replacement of vehicles or personal belongings.
- Pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and mental anguish.
- Funeral expenses and wrongful death damages in fatal cases.
- Future medical bills and costs of long-term care.
An experienced personal injury lawyer from Brumley Law Firm will evaluate your claim to help identify the categories of damages you may be entitled to seek.
What is the Process for Filing a Bus Accident Claim?
The process of filing personal injury lawsuits after a bus accident can feel overwhelming. Our Olympia personal injury attorneys guide clients through each step:
- Seek medical attention immediately after the crash.
- Contact an Olympia bus accident lawyer for a free consultation.
- Investigate the crash: gather evidence, interview witnesses, and review accident reports.
- Determine liability: identify the at fault party, whether a bus driver, bus company, government entity, or negligent party.
- File a personal injury claim: submit to insurance companies for coverage of medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
- Negotiate for a fair settlement with the insurer.
- Litigation: if necessary, file a personal injury lawsuit to pursue compensation in court.
- Recover damages: obtain financial recovery through settlement or trial verdict.
Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t owe attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. Court costs and case expenses may still apply.
Statistics for Olympia & Thurston County
Bus accidents in Olympia must be understood in the context of overall roadway safety in Thurston County:
- From 2019 to 2023, Thurston County experienced 34 fatal crashes and 166 serious injury crashes, reflecting ongoing risks for public transit users, pedestrians, and drivers (Thurston County Public Works).
- Intercity Transit, serving Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, and surrounding communities, reported about 4.24 million annual riders in FY 2024, with an average of 11,688 daily boardings (Intercity Transit).
- Olympia has a population of about 55,000, while Thurston County is home to approximately 300,000 residents, highlighting the scale of transit reliance in the region (U.S. Census / City of Olympia; Thurston County).
- In 2024, there were 387 collisions involving school buses across Washington state, many of which were caused by other drivers, illustrating the vulnerability of bus passengers and children on the road (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction – Washington State).
These statistics underscore the importance of accountability and vigilance when it comes to bus safety in Olympia and throughout Thurston County.
Statute of Limitations in an Olympia Bus Accident Claim
In Washington State, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases, including bus accidents, is three years from the date of the accident. However, claims involving government-operated buses (like Intercity Transit) may have shorter deadlines and special notice requirements.
Failing to act in time may result in losing your right to file a valid claim. Contacting an Olympia personal injury lawyer quickly helps preserve evidence and ensures your claim is filed correctly under all applicable laws.
Elements of Negligence in a Bus Accident Claim
To recover compensation, a claimant must prove:
- The bus driver, bus company, or other driver owed a duty of care.
- That party breached the duty through negligence, such as violating traffic laws, failing to maintain safe buses, or reckless driving.
- The breach caused the accident and sustained injuries.
- The victim suffered damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress.
Our injury attorneys are skilled in gathering evidence to prove negligence and determining liability against every responsible party.
Washington State’s Comparative Fault Laws
Washington follows a comparative fault system. This means even if you share partial responsibility for a traffic accident, you may still seek compensation. Your recovery is reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault.
For example, if you were found 20% at fault for a bus accident, and your damages totaled $100,000, you could still recover $80,000. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help reduce unfair fault assessments made by insurance companies and ensure you seek justice.
Contact an Olympia Bus Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a bus accident in Olympia or elsewhere in Thurston County, Brumley Law Firm is ready to help. Our dedicated team of Olympia personal injury attorneys has a deep understanding of bus accident cases and the determination needed to pursue fair compensation for our clients based on the facts of their cases.
We offer a free case evaluation, and our services are provided on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing in attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Call Brumley Law Firm today at (833) 740-2275 or fill out our online form to schedule your free consultation. Let us help you move forward with guidance and informed decisions.