Bus Accident Lawyer in Metairie
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Best Metairie Bus Accident Attorneys Near Me
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A bus crash can turn an ordinary ride into a medical emergency in seconds. Riders can be thrown from their seats or knocked down in the aisle. People in nearby cars, on bikes, or on the sidewalk can be hit by a vehicle many times their size.
If you were hurt on or by a bus, our Metairie bus accident lawyers are here to help. At Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, we treat you like a neighbor, not a case number. We help people hurt along busy routes like Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Causeway Boulevard, Airline Drive, and Clearview Parkway, plus Williams Boulevard in Kenner and the roads around Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
Help is close by. Gordon McKernan’s New Orleans office sits at 3900 Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Metairie, a short drive from Lakeside Shopping Center. Our firm has recovered more than $3 Billion for injured people, including 230+ Million dollar verdicts and settlements (past results do not guarantee similar outcomes). You pay nothing unless we win.
Causes of Bus Accidents in Metairie
Bus crashes rarely come down to just one thing. A distracted moment behind the wheel, a skipped repair, or a rushed schedule can put dozens of people at risk at once. Our team looks closely at every factor to find out who is responsible. Below are some of the most common causes we see in bus accident claims.
- Brake Failure
- Tailgating
- Wide Turn Accident
- Vehicle Malfunction Accident
- Overweight Truck
- Negligent Driver Accident
- Improperly Loaded Truck
- Traffic Violation
- Construction Zone Accident
- Aggressive Driving
- Reckless Driving
- Defective Tire
- Speeding
- Hazardous Road Conditions
- Distracted Driving
- Tire Blowout
- Drunk Driving
- Driver Fatigue
- Wrong-Way Driving
- Inexperienced Driver
- Texting and Driving
- And More ...
Metairie Bus Accident Statistics
The latest statewide report from LSU shows more bus crashes and more injured riders than the year before. School buses make up most of those crashes, which is a hard fact for Jefferson Parish families. If you or your child was hurt in a bus crash, you are not alone, and you have rights.
222
total bus crashes in Louisiana
422
people injured inside buses
194
school bus crashes
Types of Bus Accident Injuries in Metairie
A hard stop can throw a standing rider into a metal pole. A side impact can crush the passengers closest to the windows. These injuries can change how you work, move, and live for months or even years.
Here are some of the injuries we see most often:
- Second Degree Burn
- Third Degree Burn
- Muscle Strain
- Electrical Burn Injury
- Contusion Injury
- Chemical Burn
- Sprain
- Skull Fracture
- Shoulder Injury
- Collapsed Lung
- Organ Damage
- Lacerations and Abrasions
- Concussion
- Knee Injury
- Internal Bleeding
- Hip Fracture
- Herniated Disc
- Catastrophic Injury
- Wrongful Death
- Chronic Pain
- Internal Injuries
- CTE Brain Injury
- Brain Injury
- Neck injury
- Soft Tissue Injury
- Paralysis Injury
- Whiplash
- Pain & Suffering
- Back Injury
- Broken Bones
- Burn Injury
- And More ...
How Metairie Bus Accident Lawyers Handle Your Case
From your first call to the final result, we manage every step of your claim. It starts with a free consultation where we listen, review what happened, and explain your options.
As experienced Louisiana bus accident lawyers, we know that key proof in a bus case can disappear fast. Once you hire us, we move quickly to:
- Ask the bus company or transit agency, in writing, to save onboard video, GPS data, and driver records
- Gather police reports, medical records, and photos of the scene
- Talk to the driver, other passengers, and witnesses
- Review maintenance logs, driver training, and work hours
- Identify every party who may share the blame
- Handle the calls and paperwork with insurers and public agencies
- Prepare your case for trial if a fair offer never comes
To pursue a claim, evidence generally must show that someone owed you a duty of care, broke that duty, and caused your injuries. We also check if the driver held the right license. Drivers of buses built to carry 16 or more people, including the driver, need a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
How long will your case take? It depends on your injuries, how many parties are involved, and if a public agency is part of the claim.
Many claims settle without a trial, but we are ready to go the distance when needed. You focus on healing. We will handle the rest.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
If someone else’s carelessness caused your injuries, you may be owed money for what you lost. We fight for the full value of your bus accident claim, which can include:
- Medical bills, both past and future
- Lost wages and lost ability to earn
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
- Scarring, disability, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage, such as a damaged car, bike, or phone
- Wrongful death damages for families who lost a loved one
- Exemplary (punitive) damages in some cases involving an intoxicated driver
Parents can also file a school bus accident claim on behalf of a hurt child. Every claim is different, and our Metairie personal injury attorneys can review your bills, records, and future needs to help you understand what your claim may be worth. The consultation is free, and there is no pressure to sign.
Mistakes to Avoid After a Bus Accident in Metairie
After a bus crash, small mistakes can weaken a strong claim. Try to avoid these common errors:
- Leaving without telling the driver or police that you were hurt
- Putting off medical care, even if you feel fine
- Forgetting to get names and phone numbers from other riders and witnesses
- Giving a recorded statement to the bus company or its insurer
- Posting about the crash or your injuries on social media
- Signing a release or cashing a check before talking to a lawyer
- Waiting too long to get legal help
Already made one of these mistakes? Do not panic. Call us now, and we will work to protect your claim.
Understanding Metairie Bus Accident Laws
Bus crash claims follow Louisiana injury law, but they come with a few extra rules. Buses that carry paying riders are known as “common carriers.” Louisiana courts have long held these carriers to the highest degree of care for their passengers. In many passenger cases, that means the bus company must show it was not careless once a paying rider proves they were hurt.
Deadlines and fault rules matter too. Here is what you need to know:
Statute of Limitations
Louisiana calls the deadline to file an injury lawsuit the “prescriptive period.”
- 2 years from the date of injury if your accident happened on or after July 1, 2024
- 1 year if your accident happened before July 1, 2024
Missing this deadline can end your right to recover. Claims involving public agencies can add extra steps, so it is smart to call early.
Comparative Fault
For claims governed by Louisiana’s comparative fault rule effective January 1, 2026, a person found 51% or more at fault generally cannot recover damages. If fault is less than 51%, damages are generally reduced according to that percentage. Older accidents may follow a different rule, so let us review your dates.
Minimum Insurance Requirements
Private bus companies that carry paying passengers across state lines, such as charter and tour operators, must carry federal liability coverage under 49 CFR Part 387:
- $5,000,000 for buses that seat 16 or more passengers
- $1,500,000 for vehicles that seat 15 or fewer passengers
These limits are far higher than what everyday drivers must carry. That extra coverage is one more reason not to accept a quick, low offer. Public transit and school buses follow different rules, which we cover below.
Need help understanding how these rules apply to you? Call 888.501.7888 for a free consultation.
Common Legal Challenges After a Bus Accident in Metairie
Bus accident cases can get complicated quickly. Victims often face:
- More than one party to blame, such as the driver, bus company, repair shop, parts maker, or another motorist
- Special rules for claims involving public buses, like Jefferson Parish Transit or RTA routes, and school buses
- Claims against Louisiana public entities may be subject to special procedural requirements and statutory limitations on liability under Louisiana law. The applicable rules depend on the public entity involved and the circumstances of the claim.
- Claims against certain public entities may involve different procedural rules than claims against private defendants, including rules regarding trial procedures.
- Many injured riders making claims against the same insurance policy
- Insurance companies may dispute liability or damages
- Video and trip data that can be erased if no one asks to save it
Not every bus crash victim is a passenger. If a bus hit your car on Airline Drive or Causeway Boulevard, our car wreck lawyers in Metairie can help with that claim too.
These hurdles are stressful, but you do not have to face them alone. With 679+ years of combined legal experience, our team knows how to push through tough roadblocks.
Contact a Bus Accident Attorney Near Kenner Today
Injured in an Accident? Find Legal Help Near You
No matter where your bus crash happened, from Fat City to Kenner to Canal Street, Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys is ready to help. Our team includes over 180 employees, including 130+ staff and 47 attorneys, so you get statewide strength with local, personal service.
Jefferson Parish Transit’s E1 Veterans-Airport route runs from the airport in Kenner along Veterans Boulevard into New Orleans, and bus crashes do not stop at the parish line. If your crash happened on the other side, our bus crash attorneys serving New Orleans can help there, too.
Your consultation is 100% free, and you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. That is the G Guarantee.
Do not wait for an insurance company to lowball you or deny your claim. Call 888.501.7888 or reach out online today. We will protect your rights and fight for every dollar you are owed, supported by evidence.
Get Gordon. Get It Done.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results may vary depending on the facts and circumstances of each case. Viewing this website or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Don’t Wait — Talk to a New Orleans Bus Accident Lawyer Today
At Gordon Mckernan Injury Attorneys, we understand that emotional and physical recovery come hand and hand after an injury or accident. We also know that you may not have the energy or time to fight with an insurance company and the complexities of your personal injury claim.
How It Works
Filing a claim with Gordon Mckernan Injury Attorneys is easy!
Simply follow the steps below.
Get Your Free Consultation
Fill out our quick and easy form to find out if your case qualifies. Our consultations are free and confidential, and we are here to help whether you hire us or not!
Hear From An Attorney
Our team will evaluate your case and decide on the best course of action. One of our lawyers will get back to you promptly and begin the process of winning your case!
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Get It Done!
Once your case has been evaluated and deemed a good fit for our firm, our team will go to work immediately on gathering evidence, building your case, and getting you the compensation that you deserve.
Frequent Answered
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Bus Accident Lawyer in Metairie Blog Posts
Office Locations
Denham Springs Office
163 Del Orleans Ave., Denham Springs, LA 70726
Gonzales Office
220 S. Burnside Ave. Gonzales, LA 70737
New Orleans Office
3900 Veterans Memorial Blvd. STE 300 Metairie, LA 70002
Zachary Office
4361 Main St. Zachary, LA 70791
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