In Colorado it is RTD’s responsibility to safely transport tens of thousands of riders each day on RTD’s bus and light rail systems. Even though RTD bus drivers are trained on safe bus operations, RTD bus accidents are common throughout the Denver and Boulder-metro areas – especially when the weather is bad. At Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, our Boulder RTD bus accident lawyers have extensive experience helping RTD bus accident victims recover financial compensation for their injuries.
Our accident attorneys have helped victims who were disabled or elderly at the time of the accident, as well as those who were hurt by RTD’s own negligence or when a careless driver caused an accident with an RTD bus. Regardless of how your RTD bus accident happened, our Boulder RTD bus accident attorneys can help you with your claim. We invite you to call us today at 303-543-1000 for a free consultation about your case.
Special Features of Bus Accident ClaimsThere are two main factors that we commonly see with our RTD bus accident cases. First, if the RTD bus driver caused the accident, because RTD is a governmental entity, a special claims process must be followed. Second, buses are heavy, slow, difficult to maneuver, and they don’t have seatbelts. This means that the forces involved in a bus accident are different than a typical car accident. In other words, RTD buses are dangerous. Our Boulder RTD bus accident lawyers will discuss each of these factors below.
RTD is a Governmental EntityBecause RTD is a governmental entity, a claimant must put RTD on notice of the claim within 182 days of the accident. This is often referred to as a Governmental Immunity Notice or GIA notice. If a GIA notice is not sent to RTD within 182 days, then RTD will be immune from any lawsuit against it. We highly recommend that an attorney help you with any GIA notice following an RTD accident. At Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, our Boulder RTD bus accident attorneys have filed dozens of GIA notices against RTD and related entities. We handle all aspects of an RTD claim, including RTD lawsuits, for our clients.
RTD Buses are Dangerous and Accidents Involve Large ForcesBuses are big. They weigh thousands of pounds and take a lot of energy to get moving. When an RTD bus gets in an accident, whether it is the RTD bus driver’s fault or not, there are large forces transferred throughout the bus. Because RTD buses usually do not have seatbelts, a bus accident usually causes passengers to violently get thrown around the bus. Our RTD bus accident lawyers in Boulder have seen first-hand the injuries that can arise from a bus crash such as broken bones, head injuries, and disfigurement caused by shattered windows or personal items flying round the bus.
RTD bus drivers also have a special duty to make sure that disabled and elderly passengers are transported safely. When an accident happens, disabled and elderly passengers are often the most seriously injured. Indeed, many RTD bus passengers are in wheelchairs or use assistive devices such as canes and walkers. At Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, our experienced RTD bus accident attorneys in Boulder have helped people who were not only hurt in car accidents, but also when the bus driver has failed to properly and safely assist a disabled or elderly passenger. For example, one of our clients broke her foot when the RTD driver closed the door on it.
What Happens When RTD is not at Fault?Sometimes the RTD bus driver did nothing to cause the accident. When this happens, we will vigorously pursue claims against the at-fault driver, as well as any uninsured or underinsured insurance coverage that RTD might have. Additionally, some of RTD bus passengers have their own car insurance that may be able to provide coverage in case of an accident. An experienced RTD bus attorney will analyze your case and look for all possible routes of financial recovery. Moreover, if fault is disputed, a good bus accident lawyer will be able to hire a local or national accident reconstruction expert to prove who is at fault, or not.
Call Us TodayIf you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident involving an RTD bus in the Denver or Boulder areas, we encourage to call our experienced RTD accident lawyers today at 303-543-1000 for a free consultation. We are able to meet you at our office, at your home, or at a neutral site. Reach out to us today to start the recovery process.