Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport Bus Accident Lawyers

In large, congested cities like Detroit, public transportation is a popular way to commute. Buses are one of the most popular modes of transportation for people traveling to and from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport due to their low cost and convenience. Travelers can read, send emails, or nap en route and get dropped off or picked up directly at their designated terminals.

Buses are also generally a safe way to travel to and from your destination. Bus drivers must obtain a commercial driving license (CDL), which requires enhanced training and licensing requirements. Despite the additional training, buses occasionally collide with other vehicles and pedestrians. Considering that buses typically carry many passengers, accidents can involve extensive injuries.

If you have been injured in a bus accident at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, it is in your best interest to seek immediate legal counsel from an injury attorney experienced in bus accidents. You may be entitled to compensation for any damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and emotional pain and suffering. Call Sommers Schwartz, P.C. at (800) 783-0989 for a free consultation with an experienced Michigan personal injury attorney today.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) opened as the Wayne County Airport in 1930 in Romulus, Michigan. It is one of the top air transportation hubs in the country. With over 1,100 flights available, arrival and departure terminals are constantly busy.

Due to traffic congestion around the airport and the high cost of parking, travelers often choose public transportation to and from the airport. Mass transit options, such as buses, are also ideal for individuals who do not own a vehicle or are just visiting the Detroit area.

Bus Accidents at Detroit Metropolitan Airport

Detroit Metropolitan Airport lists two public bus systems as modes of transportation to and from DTW. Both bus systems serve the airport’s North Terminal and McNamara Terminal:

1. SMART: This public transportation service offers a high-frequency service called FAST with limited stops.
2. AirRide: AirRide is provided by the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority. DTW has designated areas for passenger pick-up and drop-off.

Although bus transportation is generally safe, accidents do occur. While driving into or out of DTW, a bus driver may cause an accident due to negligent or reckless behavior. Common traffic violations that lead to bus accidents include:

• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 
• Speeding.
• Improper passing.
• Reckless driving.
• Driving too closely to another vehicle or pedestrian.
• Disobeying a traffic signal or stop sign.

If a driver’s negligent behavior causes an accident, the driver and bus company may be held liable for any resulting injuries. The bus company may be partially or entirely at fault, depending on the circumstances of the accident. For example, if the bus company fails to provide proper employee training and the bus driver violates a traffic law, the bus company may be on the hook.

In other cases, the bus company may be entirely responsible for the accident. For example, if the accident results from poor vehicle maintenance, such as faulty brakes, the bus company – not the driver – may be at fault. An experienced bus accident attorney can review your case to determine fault.

Filing a Claim After a Bus Accident at Wayne County Airport

A public bus passenger who has suffered physical injuries in a bus accident may file a personal injury claim. By filing a claim with the bus company’s insurance carrier, the injured passenger may recover substantial compensation for their injuries and other damages.

If the bus driver and bus company are found responsible for the damages, compensation will likely be paid from the insurance policy covering the bus. Common damages in bus accident cases include:

• Medical expenses, current and future.
• Lost wages, current and future.
• Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Mental anguish.
• Disfigurement.

Michigan law requires the bus owner to carry adequate motor vehicle liability insurance. The coverage amount is based on the seating capacity of the bus.

• Buses with a seating capacity of 9 to 15 passengers (including the driver) must carry minimum bodily injury and property damage liability insurance of $1.5 million for all persons injured or for property damage.
• Buses with a seating capacity of 16 or more passengers (including the driver) must have minimum coverage for bodily injury and property damage liability insurance of $5 million for all persons injured or for property damage.

Contact the Bus Accident Attorneys at Sommers Schwartz Today

If you were riding on a public bus as a passenger, hit by a bus as a pedestrian, or involved in a motor vehicle collision with a bus, you may be entitled to compensation. The physical and emotional toll of any motor vehicle accident can be further intensified by the stress of handling a lawsuit on your own. That is where we come in.

If you have been injured due to the negligent or reckless actions of another, the skilled legal team at Sommers Schwartz can help. With over 40 years of experience, our personal injury team knows how to protect our clients’ rights and get them the compensation they need and deserve. Call Sommers Schwartz today at (800) 783-0989 for a free and confidential consultation about your case.