If you were hurt riding a city bus, waiting at a stop, or driving near one, a Detroit bus accident lawyer at Christensen Law is ready to listen to your story, and stand between you and the insurance companies.
We have advocated for injured people across Michigan since 1991, and we bring more than 35 years of trial experience to every case we accept. From our Detroit office on Griswold Street, we help riders and families throughout Wayne County pursue the care, answers, and accountability they deserve.
A bus crash can change your life in seconds, and the days that follow can feel confusing and unfair. You do not have to face the transit agency, the bus company, or their adjusters alone. We handle those conversations, so you can focus on healing.
Call Christensen Law 24/7 at (313) 546-1091 for a free, no-risk consultation with a Detroit bus accident lawyer who will treat you like family.
CHRISTENSEN LAW HAS A 24 HOUR RAPID RESPONSE SERVICE
How We Help After a Detroit Bus Crash
Our bus accident attorneys in Detroit carry the full weight of your bus injury claim, from investigating the crash to dealing with insurers and, when needed, taking your case to trial. Our work is built on three principles: listen, protect, and win. That is not a slogan to us, it is how we treat every person who walks through our doors.
Bus cases are rarely simple, because more than one party often shares the blame. We identify every source of responsibility, and every insurance policy that may apply, so nothing is left on the table. When the other side sees that we prepare each file for trial, they tend to take it seriously.
Your recovery is the priority it should be, and we keep it that way. We update you at every step, and we answer your questions in plain language, not legal jargon. When you work with us, you will always know where your claim stands.
Whether your injury involves a transit bus, a charter coach, or a collision between a bus and a passenger car, our Detroit car accident lawyer team knows how Michigan claims are built, and how the other side tries to tear them down.
Who Is Liable in a Detroit Bus Crash?
Liability in a Detroit bus crash can rest with the bus driver, the transit agency, a private bus company, a maintenance contractor, or another motorist, and often more than one of them shares fault. Sorting out who is responsible is one of the very first things we do. The answer shapes every part of your claim.
Buses are held to a high standard of care under Michigan law, because they carry members of the public. This “common carrier” duty means an operator must use a heightened level of caution to keep passengers safe. When that duty is broken, and someone is hurt, the responsible party can be held accountable.
DDOT and SMART Transit Buses
Many Detroit riders travel on buses run by the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT), or the regional SMART system that connects the city to the wider metro area. Both are government agencies, which changes how a claim works, and how quickly you must act. We explain those special rules further down, because they can make or break a case.
Charter and Tour Buses
Charter coaches and tour buses are usually operated by private companies. Those companies, and their drivers, can be held responsible for unsafe driving, poor maintenance, or careless hiring. Federal safety rules may also apply when a carrier crosses state lines.
School Buses
School bus crashes involve their own mix of drivers, districts, and outside contractors. Children are especially vulnerable in these collisions, and families deserve clear answers about what went wrong. We handle these cases with the care and sensitivity they require.
Injured as a Pedestrian or in Another Vehicle
You do not have to be a passenger to have a claim. Pedestrians struck near a bus stop, cyclists, and drivers hit by a bus can all be seriously hurt. We pursue full accountability, no matter where you were standing or sitting when the crash happened.
How Does Michigan No-Fault Insurance Cover Bus Passengers?
If you are hurt in a Michigan bus crash, your first source of benefits is usually Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, which pays medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash.
A separate claim for pain and suffering may follow if your injuries are serious enough. Both paths matter, and we pursue every one that fits your case.
Michigan uses a no-fault auto insurance system, set out in state law under MCL 500.3105. Under this first-party system, PIP benefits can cover reasonable medical care, a portion of your lost income, and attendant care if you need help at home while you heal. These benefits are meant to reach you quickly, so you are not left waiting on a decision about fault.
For bus riders, figuring out which policy pays can get complicated. It may involve the transit agency’s coverage, your own auto policy, or a resident relative’s policy. We trace every available source, so your care is not delayed by a fight over paperwork.
You may also have a third-party lawsuit against the at-fault party for pain and suffering, and other losses that PIP does not cover. Michigan law allows this when an injury meets the “serious impairment of body function” threshold under MCL 500.3135. We also work within Michigan’s modified comparative negligence rule, which lets you recover as long as you are not more than 50% at fault for the crash.
These same principles guide our Michigan bus accident claims statewide, so wherever you were hurt, the strategy starts from the same solid legal footing.
Common Injuries We See in Bus Accident Cases
Bus crashes often cause serious, life-changing injuries, because passengers usually lack seat belts, and can be thrown against hard metal and glass. The injuries we see most in these cases tend to demand long-term care and support. Common examples include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and crush injuries
- Burns from post-crash fires or contact with hot surfaces
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Emotional trauma, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress
Injuries like these can affect your ability to work, care for your family, and enjoy daily life, so we build claims that account for both today’s costs, and the needs you will carry into the future.
Why Do Claims Against DDOT and SMART Have Shorter Deadlines?
Claims against government transit agencies like DDOT and SMART come with strict notice requirements, and shorter deadlines than most injury claims, so acting quickly is critical. Waiting too long can quietly end a valid case before it ever begins. This is one of the biggest traps for injured riders who try to handle things on their own.
Government agencies in Michigan are generally protected from lawsuits by the Governmental Tort Liability Act, or GTLA (MCL 691.1407). That protection, though, is not absolute. One important opening, the motor vehicle exception (MCL 691.1405), allows injured people to hold an agency responsible for the negligent operation of a government-owned vehicle, such as a city bus.
To use this exception, you generally must follow special notice rules, and tight timelines that differ from an ordinary car crash. These deadlines can arrive far sooner than the standard filing period, and they leave little room for delay. The sooner we get involved, the better we can protect your right to recover.
What a Detroit Bus Injury Attorney Does to Build Your Case
A Detroit bus injury attorney moves fast to lock down evidence, because key records can disappear within days of a crash. We investigate, preserve proof, and prepare every file as though a jury will decide it. That readiness is what gives your claim real weight. Specifically, our team works to:
- Secure onboard camera footage, GPS data, and vehicle maintenance logs before they are overwritten or lost
- Obtain driver records, training files, and the agency’s internal incident reports
- Interview witnesses, and, when it helps, work with crash reconstruction professionals
- Coordinate with your treatment team to document the full scope of your injuries
Together, these steps let us tell the true story of what happened, and press for the full value of your claim rather than a quick, lowball offer.
Managing Partner Sarah Stempky-Kime describes our approach simply: the client is the most important part of any case, so we let the treatment team do the talking, and we let the other side reveal its own weaknesses.
That patient, thorough method has helped us recover results like a $17.8 million motor vehicle verdict, and a $9.5 million wrongful death recovery for Michigan families.
For a grieving family, that kind of result is never about money, it is about justice, and the resources a loved one needs to move forward.
I recommend all of my friends and family to Christensen Law. The attorneys and staff there are amazing and really care about their clients where you're treated with care and not...
Jason Waddell
Excellent! From the 1st interaction with Christensen Law it was a positive, wonderful experience! Dustin, Samantha and the entire staff, had...
Susan Schroeder
Christensen Law’s attorneys are filled with compassion and knowledge They took amazing care of my uncle after his accident. I would recommend then to anyone injured in an auto...
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The team at Christensen Law impressed me with their vast knowledge and experience in handling... They were well-versed in the intricacies of the law and provided me with clear explanations of my rights and legal...
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It is with extreme gratitude and positive emotions that I write about my relationship with... I presented to them a situation that was quite scary and financially overwhelming. David and his kind staff listened to...
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If it wasn't for Christensen Law, I don't know where I would be today. Thanks to Dave, Stephanie, and Michelle for getting me through this hard time. I didn't know what to do, I...
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My name is Erin, my experience with Christensen Law was Overwhelming… But in the very... Christianson Law stepped in after my motorcycle accident when another firm had dropped the ball—and they completely and very quickly...
Erin Magee
I hired this law firm after being hit by a drunk driver in my of... They were communicative, compassionate, made the process easy for me to understand. I was able to effectively receive a size-able...
Wren Bell
From the moment I spoke with Dustin, I felt like I was in good hands He, Samantha, and the entire staff at Christensen Law treated me like family, demonstrating kindness, expertise, and a genuine interest...
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I am extremely pleased with the experience I had with this law firm, and their... The Christensen Law firm, compassionate approach to my injuries. Their attentive listening, and thorough understanding are truly commendable I highly...
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I was in difficult time in my life, it’s a great to know I have... Whole team of Christensen law is amazing and wonderful from start to finish. They often contact me to see how...
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I had an excellent experience working with Christensen Law on my settlement case. From start to finish, the entire team was professional, compassionate, and dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome for me....
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Why Choose Us as Your Detroit Bus Accident Lawyer
You have a choice in who represents you, and that choice matters. We are trial lawyers first, not a high-volume settlement mill, and we treat every client like family. Here is what sets our team apart:
- More than 35 years of results. We have advocated for injured Michiganders since 1991, with a record of multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements.
- Trial-tested leadership. Founder David Christensen is a Michigan Hall of Fame attorney, a member of ABOTA (the American Board of Trial Advocates), and holds AV Preeminent status from Martindale-Hubbell.
- Recognized advocates. Managing Partner Sarah Stempky-Kime is an ABOTA member, and a recognized Leader in the Law.
- Always reachable. We offer free consultations 24/7, and we hold a 4.9 to 5.0 review rating across our office locations.
- No cost unless we win. You pay nothing up front, and your consultation is always free.
When you are ready to talk, a Detroit bus accident lawyer from our team is ready to listen, protect your rights, and fight for the result you deserve. Call us 24/7 at (313) 546-1091.
FAQs Answered by a Trusted Bus Accident Lawyer in Detroit, MI
Below are answers to questions we hear often from injured riders, and from families across Wayne County.
Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee, which means we only get paid if we recover money for you, and your first consultation is always free. This lets you get strong representation without adding to your financial stress.
It depends on your claim, and the deadlines can be short, especially against a government agency like DDOT or SMART. Some notice requirements apply within a limited window after the crash, while other claims follow a longer period.
Because a missed deadline can end your case, the safest step is to speak with us early, so we can protect your rights within Michigan’s personal injury case timeline.
Yes, in many cases. Michigan’s no-fault system has rules for pedestrians, passengers, and people without their own auto policy, and PIP benefits may still be available through another source. We help you identify the right coverage, so a lack of your own policy does not leave you without care.
Bring whatever you have, and do not worry if that is very little. Photos, a crash report, medical records, insurance information, and the names of any witnesses are all helpful, but we can begin with just your account of what happened. We will handle gathering the rest.
Maybe, and we prepare as though it will. Most cases resolve through a settlement, but insurers tend to offer fair value far more often when they know we are ready, and willing, to try the case in court. That readiness is a core part of how we protect your interests.
Yes. We serve clients across the state from our offices in Detroit, Southfield, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and Troy. Wherever you were hurt in Michigan, our team can step in and help.
Talk With a Detroit Bus Accident Lawyer Today
A serious bus crash can leave you with mounting bills, hard questions, and a fight you never asked for. You do not have to face any of it alone.
Our Detroit bus accident lawyers are ready to listen to your story, protect you from insurance company tactics, and pursue the justice and resources you and your family need to move forward.
Call Christensen Law 24/7 at (313) 546-1091 for a free, no-risk consultation. There is no fee unless we win. Serving all of Michigan, from the D to the UP.
