What to Do After an Accident Involving a Portland Transit Bus

Any kind of accident involving a Portland transit bus can be absolutely terrifying. Since city buses carry numerous passengers and are much larger than the average passenger vehicle, the likelihood of serious injuries is greatly increased when a collision occurs. The Portland area TriMet bus system saw an average weekday ridership of over 136,000 passengers in October 2024. Sadly, 2023 was TriMet’s worst year for traffic fatalities since 2014, with 5 people dying after being struck by or colliding with buses or MAX light rail trains. 

If you have been in a Portland bus accident, you may be facing traumatic injuries, emotional stress, and financial insecurity. In this article, we will briefly consider the safety regulations Portland has implemented for its transit system, and then we will discuss key steps that you should take in the event you are involved in a bus accident. Understanding what action to take after such an incident can go a long way toward protecting your legal rights, aiding your physical recovery, and ensuring you are justly compensated for what you have gone through.

The experienced and empathetic legal team at Johnston Personal Injury Law Firm is adept at handling all matters of transit bus accident cases. Our goal is to help Oregonians maximize their claims and get their lives back on track after a life-altering accident. Call us today or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation. We want to hear your story.

Portland Bus Safety Rules and Regulations

In an effort to ease the flow of traffic and protect motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, the City of Portland has designated certain areas and traffic lanes for use by mass transit vehicles only.

These mass transit safety regulations include the following:

• Designated transit lanes: Signs or markings will distinguish whether the transit lane may be used by bus only, light rail vehicle only, trolley or streetcar, carpool vehicle only, or some combination of such vehicles.
• Transit Mall and Auxiliary Vehicular Lanes: Official signs or markings designate a Transit Mall for transit vehicles along various routes in the city center. Additionally, there are automobile lanes adjacent to parts of the Transit Mall that are designated as auxiliary vehicle lanes.
• Restrictions on designated transit lanes: In most cases, no vehicle may enter upon, park on, or use an officially designated transit lane or the Transit Mall. However, restrictions on transit lane use will vary depending on whether the lane is designated for light rail, motor bus, trolley, or carpool use.

Exceptions to these regulations are made for certain city vehicles, emergency responders, maintenance vehicles, tow trucks, and snow removal equipment. That said, when drivers follow the rules and stay in their designated lanes, the risk of a bus or mass transit accident is significantly reduced.

Steps to Take Following a Portland Transit Bus Accident

Being involved in a city bus accident can be overwhelming, and understandably, you may be unsure of what steps to take in moving your personal injury claim forward. When you find yourself in this situation, you can take charge and make the most of your legal options by taking the following steps.

Prioritize safety and contact emergency personnel

Whether you are driving a vehicle or a passenger on the bus, it is best to move to a reasonably safe location away from traffic, if possible. Call the police and other emergency services right away, which ensures that any serious injuries are immediately addressed. Try to remain calm and assist others until the paramedics arrive.

Additionally, the responding police officers will write a report detailing what they observed at the accident scene. This will set in motion an investigation into how the bus accident happened and who was responsible. Police reports often serve as important pieces of evidence when later pursuing a personal injury claim against the bus driver, transit company, or others.

Seek medical attention promptly

At first, it may not seem that the bus accident was especially bad. You may not think that you have sustained any significant injuries. However, seeking medical attention as soon as possible after a bus accident is in your best interests.

Some critical injuries show few immediate symptoms. Unlike a broken bone, whiplash or other soft tissue injuries may take hours or even days to manifest. If injuries related to the bus accident emerge after the fact and you did not seek medical assistance, the insurance companies involved may refuse to cover your medical expenses.

Official documentation by a medical professional of your physical and emotional state immediately after the transit bus accident is an important part of the legal process. Furthermore, getting prompt medical treatment for your injuries may well improve your long-term prognosis and bring you peace of mind.

Exchange contact information with everyone involved in the bus crash

A transit bus accident may involve a lot of people and can be especially chaotic. You need to ensure that you can name and locate all involved parties going forward. Ask for detailed information from all drivers involved in the bus accident.

At the scene of the accident, gather the following information from the bus driver:

• The full name, phone number, address, and email of the bus driver
• The bus license plate and identification number
• The insurance details
• The bus or transit company’s contact information

Obtaining this information at the scene of the transit accident will ease your stress going forward. Having such contact details at hand will ensure that you will be able to hold every party that contributed to your losses responsible.

Get the contact information of any eyewitnesses to the bus accident

In addition to gathering contact information from those directly involved in the accident, it is imperative that you are able to contact and interview the eyewitnesses as to what took place that day. 

Accident scenes are often confusing and emotionally charged. An unflustered eyewitness account can be helpful in establishing what really occurred in the moments leading up to your transit accident – and thus reinforcing your version of events.

Document the scene of the transit bus accident

If at all possible, take pictures and video footage of the scene of the crash and any factors that contributed to the accident, such as:

• Vehicle damage
• Vehicle positions
• Road and traffic conditions
• Weather conditions
• Other property damage
• Anything else that may have contributed in any way to the bus accident

Additionally, video from the scene may be revealing about the mental and emotional state of the parties involved. It could reveal which driver caused the accident and if distracted driving, disregard for transit lanes, or other negligent behaviors were the cause.

Keep detailed records

As your bus accident claim advances, keep detailed records. Even seemingly inconsequential pieces of information can provide compelling evidence in your favor.

Keep track of such things as:

• Medical expenses related to the accident
• Medical records
• Vehicle repair bills
• Lost wages if the accident caused you to miss work
• Correspondence with the insurance company
• Photographs from the accident scene and your recovery period
• Witness statements
• Police report
• Your personal journal or incident log

Make sure to keep such records for the full length of your bus accident case. Having detailed and well-organized records can raise your credibility as your personal injury claim moves forward.

Contact a bus accident lawyer

Transit bus accident claims can be complex. When you retain a bus accident lawyer, you have an advocate on your side.

A well-practiced bus accident attorney will work to establish the evidence in your case, ascertain which parties are responsible, and use the legal system to attain your rightful compensation. He or she will negotiate with the bus company and insurers on your behalf and argue your case at trial if necessary.

How a Portland Area Bus Accident Lawyer Can Support You

After a bus accident, attempting to focus on your recovery while dealing with the other parties and their representatives can bring untold stress. Under such pressure, it is not advisable to go it alone. 

An experienced Portland personal injury attorney can ease the legal process by assisting you in key ways:

• Explaining your legal rights
• Conducting a thorough investigation into the bus crash
• Analyzing accident reports and medical records
• Interviewing eyewitnesses and industry experts
• Assessing damages

• Identifying sources of compensation
• Filing paperwork in a timely manner
• Communicating with the bus company and insurer
• Reviewing settlement offers
• Preparing your case for litigation
• Representing you in court if necessary

As a transit bus accident victim, hiring a knowledgeable and compassionate attorney is in your best interest. An adept personal injury attorney can help you seek justice for your pain and suffering.

Reach Out to a Committed Bus Accident Lawyer Today

Transit bus accident victims are often left physically hurt and emotionally rattled. If this is the situation you find yourself in, please don’t hesitate to get the legal assistance you deserve. 

The team at Johnston Personal Injury Law Firm stands ready to support you during this difficult time. We have extensive experience in representing Portland area bus accident victims successfully. Marc A. Johnston is a lawyer for the people – having handled thousands of personal injury cases throughout Oregon with dedication, understanding, and great empathy for his clients.

Call Johnston Personal Injury Law Firm directly or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free, confidential case review. Our client’s best interest always comes first.