Authorities within the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department are dismayed to report that a 54-year-old woman was struck by a bus in downtown on the morning of May 17th. We’re only five months into the year, yet the number of traffic fatalities in Las Vegas has already reached unacceptable levels. 97 individuals have already lost their lives in traffic accidents in Nevada this year, which is a 39% increase from 2023.

Police say the woman was walking near South Casino Center Boulevard and Hoover Avenue when she decided to cross the street.

Unfortunately, the pedestrian did step out onto the street in an area that didn’t have a marked crosswalk. As she went to cross past the bus lane, an approaching bus failed to stop in time and struck her before she could move. The older woman was thrust into the roadway.

The bus driver took the appropriate steps to stop the vehicle and wait for authorities. When police arrived at the scene, emergency medical officials rushed the woman to a nearby University Medical Center. Her condition is listed as ‘critical’. Investigating authorities confirmed that the bus driver did not show any signs of impairment.

What Are Your Legal Options After Getting Hit by a Bus?

As you can imagine, getting struck by a bus can cause some significant damage to a pedestrian. After these types of incidents, the pedestrian will have no choice but to cope with extensive medical bills, significant physical injuries, and potentially a lengthy recovery period. While the pedestrian recovers, they might also experience other losses stemming from the accident, like losing out on income they would’ve earned if they never got hurt.

The good news is that you do have legal options if you get into an accident, especially if the accident was the other party’s fault.

Under Nevada’s modified comparative negligence rule, injured pedestrians may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages, even if they were partially at fault for the accident.

For instance, if you were 40% to blame for the accident and the other party is 60% at fault, then you can still recover up to 60% of your losses from the other party by pursuing a personal injury claim.

Bus accident claims are complex due to the potential involvement of both public and private entities. Liability may rest with multiple parties, including:

The bus driver
The transportation company
The municipal transit authority
Other involved drivers
Vehicle or parts manufacturers

Determining the responsible parties requires careful investigation of the accident circumstances and applicable laws. An experienced attorney can help identify all potential sources of compensation
Once you’ve identified who might be to blame, you’ll need to start collecting evidence about who caused the accident and how serious your injuries are. When you’re ready to get started, schedule a consultation with our injury lawyers to learn more about your next steps.