What is Nevada law with regard to “bus accidents”?

Nevada does not have a specific bus accident statute. That said, if an automobile collision involves a bus, the motorists involved must comply with Nevada Revised Statute chapter 484E.

NRS 484E.010 through 483E.130 detail drivers’ duties following any motor vehicle accident.

What is the legal definition of a bus?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), buses are motor vehicles with “a capacity of 11 or more people (including the driver).”

Examples of buses can include:

• City/public buses
• School buses
• Charter buses and tour buses
• Shuttles (such as those at the Harry Reid Airport and Las Vegas casinos)
• Limousines (that can hold 11+ people)
• Vans (that can hold 11+ people) that have not been modified for non-passenger purposes, such as for storage
• Private motor coaches (such as those used by churches or other organizations)

What causes bus accidents?

Common causes of bus collisions in cases I handle include:

• the bus driver lacked the proper training to drive the vehicle
• the driver violated traffic laws (such as by speeding, failing to signal, or changing lanes abruptly)
• the driver was impaired by drugs or alcohol
• the driver was fatigued, distracted, negligent, aggressive, or committed other driver errors
• dangerous weather or poor road conditions
• the bus was not maintained properly, had defective parts or malfunctioned

Whom can I sue?

If you were injured in a Nevada bus accident, you may be able to sue either the:

• Negligent driver(s);
• Bus company or owner (which is vicariously liable for the bus driver’s negligence);
• Bus manufacturer (if the bus may have had a design defect);
• Mechanics company responsible for ensuring bus safety; and/or
• Government (if unsafe roads or faulty signage contributed to the accident).

Frequent defendants in Nevada bus accident lawsuits I see include:

• RTC (Regional Transportation Commission), which oversees public transportation in Nevada, and
• Clark County, which oversees public school buses throughout the county.

What if I was partly to blame?

Even if you may have been partly to blame for your bus crash injuries (such as not wearing a seat belt), you may still be able to bring a successful personal injury claim under Nevada’s comparative negligence laws.

You can recover damages as long as you were no more than 50% at fault.¹

What money can I get?

My team of Nevada bus accident lawyers pursue the maximum financial compensation for your:

• medical bills,
• lost wages, and
• pain and suffering.

In most cases, I negotiate with the at-fault motorist’s insurance company until I win a favorable settlement.

How long do I have to bring a lawsuit?

Under Nevada law, you usually have only a two-year statute of limitations to file a bus accident lawsuit. The two-year clock starts running after you discover your injuries, which is usually the day of the accident.²

What should I do after a bus accident?

Following a bus crash in Nevada, the drivers involved must stop at the accident scene or park as nearby as possible without blocking roadways. As a driver, you must take these three steps:

1. If the collision causes physical injuries or a fatality, render aid to the accident victims. This typically includes calling 911 for an ambulance;
2. Exchange names, addresses and vehicle registration numbers with the other people involved. If asked by another driver, present your driver’s license; and
3. Provide the above information to any law enforcement officers present at the scene investigating the collision. If asked by police, surrender your driver’s license. If no police officer is present, report the crash to the Nevada Highway Patrol or closest police authority.³
   

Hitting Unattended Property

If you crash into an unattended vehicle or property, you must:

1. Attempt to locate the vehicle’s owner or operator. Failing that, place a conspicuous note on the unattended vehicle or property. The note must contain their name and address as well as the name and address of their vehicle’s owner (if different); and
   
2. Report the bus accident to the Nevada Highway Patrol or the closest police authority. If you are physically unable to call the police, any occupants must do so.⁴
   

Note that the bus driver may have additional legal and occupational duties following a crash, particularly if it was a public transportation bus.

Do I have to report bus accidents?

As long as police officers were at the scene and made a report, you as one of the drivers involved do not have to file an accident report in Nevada. Though if police are absent, you have 10 days from the date of the accident to fill out and mail an SR-1 form to:

Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles
555 Wright Way
Carson City, NV 89711.

In addition to the form, include these three documents:

1. Your insurance that was in effect on the date of the accident;
   
2. A repair estimate of total loss if the crash caused $750 or more in property- or vehicle damage; and
   
3. A physician’s statement of each victim’s injuries (if any).⁵

Failing to File an Accident Report is a Crime

Knowingly filing an accident report with false information is a gross misdemeanor, carrying up to:

• 364 days in jail and/or
• $2,000 in fines.

Plus the DMV can suspend your license for one year for willfully failing to file a report at all.⁶ Note that filing an SR-1 form is not required if the bus crash caused no:

• death,
• injuries, or
• $750 or more in damages.⁷

What happens if I flee the scene after a bus crash?

Fleeing the scene of an accident that resulted in an injury or fatality is a category B felony in Nevada carrying:

• 2 to 20 years in prison and
• $2,000 to $5,000 in fines.

The judge may not allow probation or a suspended sentence in lieu of prison.⁸

If the Nevada bus accident caused no injuries or death, then hit and run is a misdemeanor. The punishment is up to:

• 6 months in jail and/or
• $1,000 in fines.⁹

Additional Resources

For more information, refer to the following:

• Safety Matters: The “So What” Behind Bus Safety Records – Info sheet by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
• Passenger Carrier Safety Information – Regulatory information by the FMCSA.
• Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts – Statistics by FMCSA.
• School Bus Safety – Video by VegasPBS.
• School Bus Safety – Video by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

See our related articles on bus stop accidents, shuttle bus accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, pedestrian knockdowns, wrongful death and 10 critical steps to take after a Nevada car accident.

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Legal References