Oregon Greyhound Bus
Accident Lawyer

We Represent Victims of Greyhound Bus Accidents in Oregon

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Since 1914, Greyhound buses have been helping people get where they need to go. While they are not the transportation behemoth they once were, many people still use them every day to travel for work and leisure. From time to time, these trips turn sour, with bus accidents leaving victims reeling from injuries, and in need of justice.

Way back in 1965, a Greyhound bus accident on the freeway near Gold Hill, Oregon, claimed the lives of 14 people. 25 others were injured. More recently, a Greyhound bus accident in Highland, Illinois, killed 3 people and seriously injured 14 more. 

Greyhound bus accident victims need legal representation from Oregon bus accident lawyers who are not afraid to stand up to commercial transportation companies. At Johnston Personal Injury Law Firm, our personal injury lawyers have extensive experience in handling bus accident cases and are ready to provide the advice you need. Call us today at 503-546-3167 to schedule a free consultation and discover the legal avenues open to you.

Why Greyhound Bus Accidents Happen

Greyhound Lines has a mixed safety record. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the company’s safety rating was “Satisfactory” as of December 2024. In the 24 months prior to December 5, 2024, though, Greyhound buses were involved in 6 fatal crashes and 41 injury crashes in the United States. 

Each accident is unique, but the following factors are known to contribute to bus accidents and can provide a solid basis for a Greyhound bus accident claim.

Driver negligence or error

A Greyhound driver shoulders a heavy load of responsibility. 

He or she is responsible for avoiding preventable accidents by doing the following:

• Observing all relevant traffic laws
• Taking precautions in hazardous weather
• Driving cautiously in line with the prevailing traffic conditions
• Taking into account the road conditions and driving accordingly

Greyhound expects its drivers to do all they can to prevent accidents, including the most common types of collisions seen on the road. 

Common collisions include:

• Rear-end accidents: Greyhound drivers are expected to allow for sudden stops made by vehicles ahead of them by following at a safe distance and reacting immediately to avoid a collision.
• Overtaking accidents: Greyhound drivers must take every precaution when overtaking, respecting the rights of other drivers and obeying traffic laws at all times.
• Turning accidents: Greyhound drivers are trained to avoid these accidents by accounting for the actions of pedestrians and other vehicles on the road. They are trained to turn safely by making repeated mirror checks, positioning the bus safely, and executing the turn when safe to do so.
• Head-on accidents: Every Greyhound bus driver is trained to avoid head-on collisions by driving defensively, monitoring oncoming traffic, and keeping away from the center line.
• Intersections/pulling into traffic: A Greyhound driver must look, signal, and only move when safe to prevent these common accidents. Precautions include making a full stop and checking carefully at stop lines before proceeding.
• Reversing accidents: Safely backing a bus takes skill and awareness from the Greyhound driver. Accidents are preventable when extreme caution is taken while executing all backing maneuvers.

Driver fatigue

In addition to the scenarios mentioned above, bus accident lawyers will also consider whether driver fatigue, drug and alcohol use, or distracted driving were factors in your accident. Bus drivers often work long hours and may suffer from disrupted sleep patterns.

A 2018 study published by BMC Medicine examined the effect of sleep deficiency on motor accident risk in the general population. The study showed that severe sleep apnea increases crash risk by 123 percent. It also indicated that sleeping 6 hours a night increases crash risk by 33 percent, compared with sleeping 7 or 8 hours per night.

Greyhound is well aware of the dangers posed by driver fatigue and has taken steps to improve safety in this regard. For example, in 2002, the company commissioned Alertness Solutions to review its fatigue management policies and practices. This resulted in a new Alertness Management Program being instituted in April 2003 to reduce fatigue-related safety risks.

Greyhound bus drivers must also comply with state hours of service regulations. Many Greyhound bus routes are interstate, meaning that bus drivers must also comply with FMCSA interstate passenger-carrying drivers’ hours of service regulations.

Driver fatigue can have tragic consequences, resulting in loss of life and catastrophic injuries. You can rest assured that if we take on your case, your Johnston Law Firm Greyhound bus accident attorney will investigate whether the company and the driver followed all relevant regulations as he or she builds a strong case for compensation. 

Mechanical failures

Greyhound also requires bus drivers to ensure the bus is mechanically sound before embarking on every journey. A bus driver must complete a pre-trip vehicle inspection and immediately report any mechanical faults.

When investigating liable parties, your Johnston Law Firm bus accident attorney may request to see the pre-trip inspection report for your bus crash. Your lawyer will check whether this crucial step was carried out correctly and whether it uncovered mechanical failures that should have rendered the bus unfit to complete the journey.

Poor bus maintenance

Greyhound buses put in a lot of miles every year and require constant maintenance. 

Poor bus maintenance could cause:

• Tire blowouts
• Brake failures
• Steering problems

All such issues could be avoided with correct and regular maintenance. Bus accident lawyers will examine maintenance records carefully for any evidence of sloppy practices that contributed to your bus crash.

How Greyhound Handles Bus Accident Cases

In common with all commercial transportation companies, you should expect Greyhound Bus Lines to look out for its own interests after your bus crash. 

Typically, the company takes the following steps to minimize its exposure to risk by making it hard to sue Greyhound for the damages you deserve:

• Complete C-4 forms: The bus driver at the accident scene may attempt to get all passengers to complete a C-4 form. This form asks for details about the accident and your injury. However, Greyhound could use the information you put on this form against you later in the legal process. 
• Recorded statements: Greyhound may make you feel obligated to provide a recorded statement detailing what happened with the bus crash and your injuries. However, you are not obligated to do so, and Greyhound bus accident lawyers advise against ever giving a recorded statement. Insurance company adjusters may ask questions designed to elicit answers that harm your case. Instead, let your bus accident attorney handle all discussions with Greyhound and their insurer.
• Direct offers: Greyhound may approach bus accident victims or the family of someone killed in a Greyhound accident with a compensation offer. When you are in pain or working through intense grief, it could be tempting to take the money and move on with your life. However, this is in Greyhound’s best interests, not yours. If you take the money, you will likely be unable to sue Greyhound for damages in the future.

Denying claims

In addition to the tactics above, Greyhound typically tries to deny personal injury claims. They may work with experts to deny your injuries were caused by your accident or downplay how serious your injuries were. 

Offering inadequate compensation

If denying your claim does not succeed, Greyhound may offer minimal compensation that does not take into account the long-term consequences of your injuries. Be extremely cautious if you have suffered life-changing or disabling harm, as such health conditions typically command much more substantial payouts due to the ongoing cost of medical treatment.

The reality of how bus companies handle bus accident claims highlights the need to consult a qualified and experienced Oregon bus accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Do not commit anything to writing or making any verbal statements until you have spoken to one of our Greyhound bus accident attorneys.

Don’t miss out on these common personal injury mistakes.

Get the legal counsel you need to guide you through the process of filing an injury claim.

Damages Available in a Greyhound Bus Accident Case

Each bus accident case is unique, but you will likely be entitled to economic and non-economic damages after a Greyhound bus accident.

Economic damages

This payment covers the monetary losses you sustained in your Greyhound bus accident. 

Potential losses could include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Property damage

Hold on to all invoices, bills, receipts, and other documentation related to your expenses after your bus accident. Your bus accident attorney may be able to use these to build a strong case for compensation. 

Non-economic damages

In addition to your financial losses, there are other losses for which you may be entitled to receive compensation. However, it is often difficult to put a dollar value on non-economic losses. 

These may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium (normal marital relationship)
• Emotional distress
• Scarring or disfigurement

If you rely on Greyhound to make a settlement offer, they may sweep these losses under the carpet. However, the experienced and tenacious Johnston Law Firm personal injury attorneys will examine the full impact of your injuries. They will build a strong case for maximum compensation, including for non-economic losses.

What a Greyhound Bus Accident Lawyer Can Do for You

At Johnston Personal Injury Law Firm, our Greyhound bus accident attorney can take the entire weight of fighting your case off your shoulders. 

Our lawyers can handle the following on your behalf and more:

Representing you in court: If negotiations fail, your Greyhound bus accident attorney can fight your case in court, either in a bench or jury trial. The court will make the final verdict on liability and damages, but you can appeal the verdict if you are not satisfied.

Investigating the bus crash: Bus accident lawyers know how to track down the right evidence, get eyewitness testimony, and build a clear picture of what happened.

Evaluating your injuries: To get maximum compensation in a bus accident lawsuit, your attorney will investigate the full extent of your injuries and the impact these have had on your life.

Negotiating with Greyhound: Your bus accident attorney will first seek a fair settlement by sending a demand letter to Greyhound or their insurance company and negotiating a reasonable payout. 

Filing your case on time: In Oregon, you must sue Greyhound within 2 years or your case will likely be thrown out. Other states may have longer or shorter statutes of limitations on bus accidents, so it’s crucial to seek prompt legal advice from a Greyhound accident lawyer.