If you or a loved one is involved in a serious bus crash, the days that follow are rarely simple. At Christensen Law, our Troy bus accident lawyers stand with injured people and grieving families across Oakland County, so you never have to face the insurance companies alone. We listen to your story, protect your rights, and pursue the full recovery you deserve.
For more than 35 years, our trial attorneys have represented crash victims throughout Michigan, and we treat every client like family. If you were hurt on a public transit bus, a school bus, a charter coach, or as a pedestrian struck by a bus in Troy, we are ready to help. Call us 24/7 at (248) 233-0684 for a free consultation, and let us carry the legal burden while you focus on healing.
CHRISTENSEN LAW HAS A 24 HOUR RAPID RESPONSE SERVICE
How Can Our Troy Bus Accident Lawyers Help You?
Our Troy bus accident lawyers help by handling every part of your claim, from the first insurance call to the courtroom, so you can rest and recover. We investigate what happened, identify who is responsible, and build a case designed to hold the right parties accountable.
Bus cases are more complicated than typical car crashes, because more than one insurance company and, sometimes, a government agency may be involved. A public transit bus, a private charter company, and a school district each follow different rules, and each may point fingers at the others. We sort through those layers, so you are not left guessing who owes you compensation.
Many bus crashes also involve other vehicles, and our Troy car accident lawyers are ready to help when a second driver shares the blame.
We are not a volume settlement firm. We take a focused number of serious cases, so each client receives the attention a life-altering injury demands. That approach lets us dig into the details that often decide the value of a bus claim.
We also step in to shield you from the pressure tactics insurance adjusters often use. Adjusters may ask for a recorded statement, push a quick lowball offer, or request a medical exam designed to minimize your injuries. When you hire us, those calls come to our office instead of your phone.
Firm founder David Christensen is a Michigan Hall of Fame trial attorney, a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), and holds AV Preeminent status from Martindale-Hubbell. Managing partner Sarah Stempky-Kime is a recognized Leader in the Law and an ABOTA member.
When you work with us, that experience goes to work for you.
What Types of Bus Crashes Do We Handle in Troy?
We handle every type of bus crash in Troy, including public transit, school bus, charter, and pedestrian cases. Each situation carries its own rules about who is responsible and which insurance applies.
Troy sits at the heart of Oakland County, where buses share busy roads like Big Beaver Road, Rochester Road, and the I-75 corridor near the Somerset Collection. With so much traffic moving through the city each day, bus collisions can happen in many forms.
The bus accident cases we take in Troy include:
- Public transit buses: Many riders in Troy travel on SMART, the regional transit system serving Oakland County. A crash on a SMART bus can involve a government agency, which changes the deadlines and rules that apply.
- School buses: When a child is hurt on the way to or from school, both the driver and the school district may share responsibility.
- Charter and tour buses: Private charter companies must follow federal safety rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and those records can become key evidence.
- Pedestrians struck by a bus: If you were injured on foot near a bus stop or crosswalk, you may have a claim even though you were never a passenger.
No matter how your crash happened, we know which questions to ask and which records to preserve. If you were injured on a public transit bus in Oakland County, reach out to us right away, because some claims come with short notice deadlines.
Who Is Liable in a Troy Bus Crash?
Liability in a Troy bus crash depends on who caused it and who owned or operated the bus. In many cases, more than one party shares the blame, and identifying each one is the key to a full recovery.
Several parties may be responsible after a bus collision, and we investigate all of them. Potential defendants include:
- The bus driver, if careless or distracted driving caused the crash.
- The company or agency that owned the bus and employed the driver.
- A maintenance provider, if poor upkeep led to a brake or tire failure.
- Another motorist whose actions forced the collision.
Sorting out these relationships takes careful work, so we move quickly to preserve driver logs, camera footage, and maintenance records. When a government bus is involved, the rules shift in important ways.
Under Michigan’s Governmental Tort Liability Act, MCL 691.1407, public agencies enjoy broad immunity from many lawsuits. There is an important exception, though. The motor vehicle exception, MCL 691.1405, allows injured people to bring claims for the negligent operation of a government-owned vehicle, which can include a public transit bus.
Claims against a government agency often carry shorter deadlines and stricter notice requirements than ordinary cases. That is one more reason to talk with a Troy bus injury attorney soon after your crash, so no important deadline slips past you.
Michigan No-Fault Law and Your Bus Accident Claim
Michigan’s no-fault system shapes every bus accident claim in Troy, and it affects both your medical bills and your right to sue. Understanding the basics early can protect the value of your case.
Under the Michigan No-Fault Act, MCL 500.3105, your own auto insurance pays certain benefits after a crash, no matter who was at fault. These are called Personal Injury Protection benefits, or PIP, and they cover things like medical care, a portion of lost wages, and attendant care when you need help at home.
For bus passengers, the rules about which policy pays can be confusing, so we help you find the right source of PIP benefits. If you do not own a car, coverage may still come through a resident relative or the state’s assigned claims plan.
No-fault benefits do not cover everything, though. To recover for pain and suffering, you generally must bring a third-party claim against the at-fault party, which is allowed under MCL 500.3135 when an injury is serious. A first-party claim is the one you file for your own PIP benefits, while a third-party claim seeks money from the person or company that caused your injuries.
Michigan also follows a rule called modified comparative fault, set out in MCL 600.2959. This means you can still recover money even if you were partly at fault, as long as you were not more than 50 percent responsible for the crash. If you were partly to blame, your recovery is reduced by your share of the fault.
Because these rules interact in complex ways, we walk you through each step in plain language. You will always know where your claim stands, and you will always know what comes next.
Why Choose Christensen Law for Your Troy Bus Accident Case?
We built our firm on a simple promise: Listen, Protect, Win. That philosophy guides how we treat every client and every Troy bus accident case we take.
We are trial attorneys who prepare each case as if it will be decided by a jury. Insurance companies know which firms are ready for court, and that reputation often leads to stronger offers for our clients. A few reasons injured people across Michigan turn to us:
- A record of results, including a $17.8 million motor vehicle accident verdict and a $9.5 million wrongful death recovery.
- More than 35 years of advocacy for Michigan crash victims since 1991.
- Free consultations, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- A client-first approach, with review ratings between 4.9 and 5.0 across our offices.
Every case is different, and past results do not predict future outcomes, yet our history shows what focused preparation can achieve. When you are ready, our Troy team is here to listen. Call Christensen Law today at (248) 233-0684 for a free, no-risk consultation, and let us start protecting your future.
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...
Steve Huber
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...
Shana Goodrich
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...
Wendy Henn
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...
Tim Taylor
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...
Janelle Garza
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...
Mr. Douglas
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...
Amandeep Sohal
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....
Gjon Ivezaj
How We Build Your Troy Bus Injury Case
When you hire our Troy bus injury attorneys, we begin building your case immediately. Early action often makes the difference, because key evidence can disappear within days of a crash.
Our managing partner, Sarah Stempky-Kime, describes our approach this way: the client is the most important part of every case, and the defendant’s own conduct usually tells the rest of the story. We let the medical treatment team speak to your injuries, and we let the facts show how the crash happened.
Specifically, our work often includes several steps. We move to preserve the bus company’s records, including driver logs, inspection reports, and onboard camera footage. We also consult with your doctors, so that the full scope of your injuries, including future care needs, is documented.
We also document how your injuries affect daily life in Troy, from missed work to the everyday tasks that have become harder. A clear, honest picture of your losses helps everyone understand what a full recovery truly means for you and your family.
We handle the insurance side from start to finish, too. Adjusters no longer reach you directly, and every settlement conversation runs through our office, so you are never pressured into accepting less than your claim is worth.
Because Troy claims can involve transit agencies, private carriers, and other drivers all at once, we keep you informed at every turn. You will understand each decision, and you will always have a direct line to our team.
FAQs Answered by a Bus Accident Attorney in Troy, MI
Below are answers to questions we often hear from injured people and families across Troy and Oakland County.
The deadline depends on the type of claim and who is involved. Many Michigan injury lawsuits must be filed within three years, but claims against a government agency, such as a public transit system, often have much shorter notice periods. Because a missed deadline can end a case before it begins, it is wise to speak with an attorney quickly.
Nothing upfront. We handle bus accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you. Your first consultation is always free, so there is no risk in learning where you stand.
Yes, in many cases you can. Michigan’s no-fault system can provide PIP benefits even to pedestrians injured by a motor vehicle, and you may also have a claim against the at-fault party. We can review the details of your situation, and we can explain the options that may apply to you.
You may have a claim against more than one party. Depending on what happened, responsibility could rest with the driver, a maintenance company, or the school district that operated the bus. We handle these cases with care, because a child’s injuries can affect their health and future for years.
It is rarely in your interest to accept a first offer without advice. Early offers often arrive before the full extent of your injuries is known, and once you sign a release, you usually cannot ask for more. Let us review any offer before you respond.
Compensation varies with the facts of each case. It may include medical expenses, lost wages, attendant care, and money for pain and suffering through a third-party claim. In a wrongful death case, a recovery is never about money for its own sake; it is about justice, and about the resources a grieving family needs to move forward.
Contact Our Troy Bus Accident Lawyers Today
If a bus crash has turned your life upside down, you do not have to face it alone. Our Troy bus accident lawyers are ready to listen to your story, protect your rights, and pursue the justice you deserve.
We handle Michigan bus accident claims across the state, and we bring the same focused preparation to every case, large or small. From our Troy office at 2328 Livernois Road, Suite 1090, we serve injured people throughout Oakland County and beyond.
Call Christensen Law 24/7 at (248) 233-0684 for a free, no-risk consultation. There is no fee unless we win, and there is no pressure, only honest answers about your options.
Serving all of Michigan, from the D to the UP.
