Fairfield Bus Accident Lawyer

Fairfield Bus Accident Attorney

Buses are an important part of the transportation network of the Fairfield area. The Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority provides public bus services to many parts of Fairfield. Local children ride school buses every day, and many people use private bus services throughout New England. If you are hurt in a bus accident, an experienced Fairfield bus accident lawyer can be a valuable resource for helping you recover.

Representing Bus Accident Victims in Fairfield, CT

The personal injury attorney team at Bartlett & Grippe can provide comprehensive legal representation to bus accident victims in Fairfield and surrounding areas of Connecticut. Whether you were hurt in a private bus accident, your child was injured in a school bus accident, or a loved one died in a fatal bus crash, you need legal counsel you trust to navigate your recovery efforts successfully.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict safety regulations for bus companies and their drivers. Any common carrier that provides transportation to the public as a paid service has a duty of care to ensure the safety of its passengers. If they fail in this duty of care, they face liability for the resulting damages. It is also possible for a third party to cause a bus accident, in which case, victims would pursue compensation from the at-fault driver.

According to the Connecticut Crash Data Repository, there have been 117 FMCSA-qualifying crashes in Fairfield between January 1, 2022, and January 1, 2025. These incidents include both commercial trucks regulated by the FMCSA as well as buses. Nationwide statistics report 13,452 bus accidents in 2024, resulting in injuries to 12,532 individuals. One hundred seventy-one of these accidents were fatal to one or more people involved.

Buses are much larger than average passenger vehicles. They require more time and distance to slow down or stop to avoid collisions, and it is possible for a bus accident to result in severe injuries to multiple victims. These accidents can also involve two or more vehicles, further complicating the legal proceedings that follow. If you have been hurt in such an accident, it’s vital to contact an attorney at your first opportunity. Because Connecticut’s personal injury statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the accident, it’s crucial to contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your right to compensation.

Recovering From a Bus Accident in Fairfield

Connecticut is an at-fault state for all vehicle accidents, so you must identify the party responsible for causing the accident before you can claim compensation for your damages. An experienced Fairfield bus accident lawyer at Bartlett & Grippe can make gathering this evidence much easier. Our team can look for traffic camera footage, vehicle computer data, and eyewitness testimony to help you establish liability.

Filing an auto insurance claim is usually the first recovery option available after a vehicle accident in Fairfield. All Connecticut drivers are required to have auto insurance, and common carriers typically have commercial auto insurance policies that provide greater coverage than typical individual policies. However, it does not mean you should expect insurance to fully cover your damages or that dealing with an insurance company will be easy.

Most insurance carriers will do everything they can to minimize claim payouts. They will try to use a claimant’s own words against them whenever possible and look for justification to devalue or deny the claim. However, when you have a Fairfield bus accident lawyer representing you, you will be better prepared to resolve any disputes raised against your claim.

You may need to file a personal injury case to recover your damages, or you may need to prepare a wrongful death case if a family member was fatally injured in a bus accident. In either situation, the team at Bartlett & Grippe can provide compassionate and results-driven legal counsel through all stages of your case. You have limited time to pursue your recovery, so reach out to our team at your first opportunity to learn how we can help.

FAQs

How Do You Prove Liability for a Bus Accident in Fairfield?

You can prove liability for a bus accident in Fairfield using various forms of evidence. Eyewitness testimony is often valuable in these cases, and it is likely that multiple witnesses saw the accident happen. Your attorney can also seek vehicle computer data, bus company records, and cell phone data to help you prove liability for the accident.

How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Bus Accident in Fairfield?

It’s possible to claim compensation for any economic and non-economic damages you suffered from a bus accident in Fairfield. Once you have established liability, the defendant responsible for causing the accident will be liable for your medical expenses, property losses, lost wages, and the pain and suffering you experienced. A Fairfield bus accident lawyer at Bartlett & Grippe can help you accurately calculate all of the damages you are eligible to claim.

Why Should I Hire a Fairfield Bus Accident Lawyer?

You should hire a Fairfield bus accident lawyer to have a better chance of success with your recovery efforts after the accident. You may not have any memory of the accident due to your injuries, and it is possible to face various complications with an auto insurance claim, personal injury suit, or wrongful death suit. Hiring an experienced attorney increases your chances of success with your case and of maximizing your compensation.

What Does It Cost to Hire a Fairfield Bus Accident Lawyer?

The cost to hire a Fairfield bus accident lawyer will be a percentage of your total case award if you choose Bartlett & Grippe to represent you. Our firm accepts personal injury cases on contingency, meaning there are no upfront attorneys’ fees. Instead, we charge a percentage of the total compensation we recover for you at the end of your case. If there is no recovery, there is no fee.

The aftermath of a bus accident in Fairfield can be confusing and stressful, but with the right attorney on your side, you can feel more confident about the legal proceedings ahead of you. The attorneys at Bartlett & Grippe provide compassionate personal injury and wrongful death representation, and we look forward to helping you recover. Contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Fairfield bus accident lawyer.