Puyallup Bus Accident Lawyer

Bus accidents can change lives in an instant. Whether you were a passenger on a Pierce Transit bus, your child was injured while riding on a school bus, or you were struck by a transit vehicle while driving through Puyallup, the consequences can be devastating. Victims often face serious injuries, mounting medical bills, lost income, and the emotional toll of adjusting to a new reality.

When injuries are caused by someone else’s negligence, the situation becomes even more overwhelming. Accident victims and their families must navigate medical care, insurance companies, and complex legal questions at a time when their focus should be on healing.

At Brumley Law Firm, our Puyallup personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping clients pursue fair compensation after bus accidents. With a compassionate approach and experience in complex cases, our legal team is prepared to support you through the legal process.

Why Hire Brumley Law Firm for Your Bus Accident Case in Puyallup?

Choosing the right legal representation can make a meaningful difference in your recovery. Brumley Law Firm is not just another personal injury law firm. Our practice focuses solely on representing personal injury clients, which means every member of our legal team is deeply familiar with the unique challenges of these cases.

Here’s why people in Puyallup and Pierce County trust us after bus accidents:

• Former Insurance Attorney on Your Side: Founding attorney Joshua Brumley previously worked as an insurance attorney. He understands how insurance companies and insurance adjusters approach claims and uses this insight to benefit personal injury victims.
• Experience with Complex Cases: Our firm has represented clients in various personal injury matters across Washington State, including bus and car accident claims.
• Community Commitment: We are proud to serve as local attorneys who understand Puyallup and Pierce County. From the South Hill to the downtown corridor, we are familiar with the unique risks of transportation in this community.
• Compassionate Advocacy: We are committed to providing compassionate, personalized legal representation for every client we serve.

Client Testimonials

Our reputation is built on the voices of personal injury clients we have represented. Here’s what some have shared:

“The Brumley Law Firm guided me every step of the way after my accident. Their compassionate attorneys made me feel heard and ensured I received fair compensation.”

“Joshua and his dedicated team fought tirelessly with the insurance companies. I never felt alone in the process.”

“They went above and beyond to handle all the legal details while I focused on my recovery.”

These testimonials reflect the values we bring to every personal injury accident case: compassion, dedication, and results. Past results and client experiences do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique.

How a Puyallup Bus Accident Attorney Can Help You With a Case

After a bus accident, victims are often overwhelmed by the complexity of the situation. An experienced bus accident attorney can relieve that burden by managing every aspect of your legal case:

• Handling Communications: We deal directly with insurance companies, insurance adjusters, government entities, and transportation companies so you don’t have to.
• Investigating the Accident Scene: Our legal team collects police reports, witness statements, and all your medical records to build a strong case.
• Consulting Experts: We work with accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, and other expert witnesses to prove negligence and determine liability.
• Identifying Responsible Parties: Whether the negligent party is a bus driver, a bus company, other drivers, or government agencies, we pursue every responsible party to maximize compensation.
• Navigating the Legal System: From filing a valid claim to representing you in court if necessary, our attorneys guide you through each stage of the legal process.

Common Types of Bus Accident Cases

In Puyallup and Pierce County, bus accidents can occur in many situations. Our law offices regularly represent clients in cases involving:

• School Buses: Children injured while traveling to or from school.
• Transit Buses: Pierce Transit buses involved in collisions with cars, pedestrians, or bicycles.
• Tour and Charter Buses: Accidents involving private transportation companies.
• Defective Equipment: Crashes caused by faulty brakes, steering failures, or other defective equipment.
• Bus Driver Negligence: Distracted driving, fatigue, or operating under the influence.
• Collisions With Other Drivers: Car accidents where another driver collides with a bus.
• Dangerous Road Conditions: Poor road maintenance or inadequate signage leading to crashes.

Each bus accident case is unique, and determining liability often requires an in-depth investigation into both the bus company and other drivers involved.

Local Bus & Traffic Crash Statistics for Puyallup / Pierce County

Understanding local crash trends highlights the risks faced by residents in Puyallup and Pierce County who rely on buses and other forms of transportation. Data from state and county agencies show how traffic incidents continue to impact the region.

• The Washington Traffic Safety Commission reported that traffic fatalities in Washington increased from 674 in 2021 to 810 in 2023.
• The Washington State Department of Transportation recorded 3,413 serious injuries from traffic incidents statewide in 2023, a 10% increase compared to 2022.
• Pierce County’s Vision Zero Action Plan sets a goal of eliminating all traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2035, based on a data-driven analysis of collisions across the county, including those involving buses and other transit vehicles.
• In Pierce County’s crash reports, eight of the ten intersections with the highest number of injury crashes from 2018 to 2022 were located along SR 7 (Pacific Avenue), a major corridor used by transit buses. This data is outlined in Pierce County planning documents.
• Pierce Transit, the public bus operator serving Puyallup, carried approximately 6.8 million fixed-route boardings in 2024, showing the scale of bus travel in the area and the exposure risk for accidents.

Although not all of these figures isolate bus accidents specifically, they demonstrate the high volume of transit use in Pierce County and the rising risks of traffic collisions. This context underscores why victims of bus accidents in Puyallup benefit from experienced legal representation to protect their rights and pursue fair compensation.

Compensation You May Seek in a Bus Accident Case

Bus accident victims may be entitled to recover compensation for a wide range of damages. As your legal team, we work to advocate for compensation that reflects both current and anticipated losses, where supported by the facts of your case:

• Medical Expenses: Emergency treatment, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care.
• Future Medical Expenses: Long-term treatment, surgeries, or therapy needed for severe injuries.
• Lost Wages and Lost Income: Compensation for time missed from work due to recovery.
• Reduced Earning Capacity: Financial recovery for long-term impact on your ability to work.
• Pain and Suffering: Physical and emotional distress caused by the accident.
• Funeral Expenses: In tragic cases involving fatalities.
• Property Damage: Repair or replacement of personal property.

By thoroughly reviewing medical records, consulting with experts, and analyzing financial impacts, we help ensure no form of compensation is overlooked.

What is the Process for Filing a Bus Accident Claim?

Filing a personal injury claim after a bus accident involves several critical steps:

1. Seek Medical Attention: Always prioritize your health and safety. Immediate medical care also creates medical records that are vital to your claim.
2. Report the Accident: Ensure the incident is documented in police reports and with the transportation company.
3. Consult a Puyallup Personal Injury Lawyer: Early legal help ensures your rights are protected.
4. Investigation: Your attorney will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and review accident scene details.
5. Filing the Claim: A personal injury attorney submits your claim to the responsible party’s insurer or files a lawsuit if necessary.
6. Negotiation: Experienced attorneys negotiate with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement.
7. Litigation: If a settlement cannot be reached, your case may proceed to trial.
8. Compensation: Upon success, you can recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

At Brumley Law Firm, we guide you through this entire process, ensuring no deadlines or details are missed.

Statute of Limitations in a Puyallup Bus Accident Claim

In Washington State, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury accident claim is generally three years from the date of the accident. If your claim involves government entities, such as Pierce Transit or school districts, shorter notice requirements may apply.

Failing to act within these timelines can mean losing the right to pursue compensation. A Washington personal injury lawyer can help ensure all deadlines are met and your legal rights are preserved.

Elements of Negligence in a Bus Accident Claim

To pursue a valid claim, an experienced personal injury lawyer must prove negligence by establishing:

1. Duty of Care: The bus driver, bus company, or government agencies owed passengers and the public a duty to operate safely.
2. Breach of Duty: The responsible party failed to uphold that duty, such as through reckless driving or poor maintenance.
3. Causation: The breach directly caused the accident and injuries.
4. Damages: The accident resulted in measurable harm, including medical expenses, lost income, or pain and suffering.

Our experienced personal injury attorneys use evidence like police reports, witness statements, and medical records to prove negligence and strengthen your case.

Washington State’s Comparative Fault Laws

Washington State follows a comparative fault rule. This means even if you are partially at fault for the accident, you may still recover compensation, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if you were found 20% responsible and your damages totaled $100,000, you could still recover $80,000. An experienced bus accident attorney ensures fault is assigned fairly and fights to maximize compensation.

Contact a Puyallup Bus Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident in Pierce County, do not face the legal system alone. We offer free consultations and handle most personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. Other case-related costs may apply.

Our compassionate attorneys are ready to review your case, explain your rights, and guide you toward fair compensation. Call our law offices today at (833) 740-2275 or request a free case review online.