Traffic at one of the busiest intersections in the Phoenix metro area came to a standstill on October 5, 2010, when a bus driver struck and severely injured a local woman. Shockingly, the bus driver was apparently unaware that he had struck someone, and continued on his route for nearly half a mile before the bus was pulled over. That same day proved unlucky for another Phoenix resident - a bicyclist was struck by a different bus only hours before in a different part of town.

With several high-profile bus accidents making the news, the subject of responsibility for the injuries has also come into the spotlight. The topic of the aptly named doctrine of municipal liability is a relatively unknown one to most people, but it basically states that, at least in a limited capacity, government entities can be held liable for injuries caused by city employees or property. Injured parties may be able to seek compensation for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Rehabilitation
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering

Bus accident cases, as all cases where a government entity or agent is possibly implicated, can be difficult to file without the help of an experienced attorney. Bringing a case against a municipality is often more complex than bringing one against a private citizen, and there are certain steps that must be followed precisely to file a claim. Another consideration is the statute of limitations for bringing these types of claims. While a claim does not have to be filed for a year after an injury-causing accident, notice of the intent to file a lawsuit (a "Notice of Claims") must be filed within 180 days.