Las Vegas Bus Accident Attorney

A Las Vegas Native, Trial-Ready for Your Bus Accident Case

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, approximately 67,000 bus crashes occur in the U.S. every year. That is an average of 183 every day. When one of those crashes happens here in Las Vegas, the consequences for passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists can be severe, and the path to compensation is rarely straightforward.

Bus accident claims involve overlapping regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, and insurance structures built to resist paying victims their full value. At Cohan PLLC, we don’t settle a case unless the offer reflects what our clients may be owed based on the facts and law. Seasoned trial attorney Chasen Cohan is a Las Vegas native who knows the local courts, the judges, and the strategies bus companies and their insurers use to minimize liability. As a bus injury attorney in Las Vegas, he prepares every case for trial from day one so our clients are never pressured into accepting less than they may be entitled to pursue.

Bus accident victims may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and property damage. We serve clients throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, and Enterprise. Don’t wait to reach out. Deadlines can be shorter than you expect, especially when a government-owned bus is involved.

Ready to discuss your bus accident case? Contact us online or call (702) 623-3579 today for a free consultation.

Why Bus Accidents Are Legally Different from Car Accidents

Bus accidents are unlike typical car accidents for several reasons:

• Severity of Injuries: Most buses lack seatbelts and airbags, meaning passengers can be thrown from their seats during a sudden stop or collision. That absence of basic safety features dramatically increases the likelihood of catastrophic injury.
• Complex Liability: Responsibility may fall on the bus driver, the bus company through vicarious liability, a vehicle manufacturer, a maintenance contractor, another motorist, or a government entity. Identifying every liable party requires a thorough investigation before evidence disappears.
• Complicated Insurance Coverage: When multiple parties share fault or when the at-fault party is a government agency, insurance structures become layered and difficult to navigate without experienced legal representation.
• Government Entity Rules: When a city bus or public school district bus is involved, Nevada law imposes special government tort claim procedures under NRS 41.036. Claims against state agencies must be filed with the Nevada Attorney General. Claims against political subdivisions must be filed with that entity’s governing body. Missing these procedural steps can end a claim before it begins.

Types of Bus Operators in Clark County

Not all bus operators in Las Vegas work under the same rules. Knowing which type of operator was involved in your accident directly affects who can be held liable and what insurance applies.

• RTC Public Transit: The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) operates public bus and transit service throughout Clark County, including along the Strip. Claims against the RTC involve government tort claim procedures with distinct administrative requirements that differ from standard personal injury claims.
• Hotel & Airport Shuttles: Las Vegas hotels operate shuttle buses ferrying guests between the airport and resorts. These are typically privately owned and insured, but liability can extend to the hotel operator.
• Tour & Charter Buses: Private tour and charter companies bring passengers into Las Vegas from other states and cities. Drivers unfamiliar with local roads and federal hours-of-service requirements are a common source of liability.
• School Buses: School bus accidents in Clark County may implicate the school district as a government entity, triggering the same procedural requirements as other government claims under NRS 41.036.
• Party & Entertainment Buses: Las Vegas’s tourism economy supports a large market of party buses and limousine-style operators, each carrying their own regulatory frameworks and insurance requirements.

Filing a Bus Accident Claim in Las Vegas, Nevada

Nevada law requires bus companies to comply with state safety regulations. Violations, such as falsified driver logs concealing hours-of-service violations or inadequate driver training at a charter company, can form the basis of a negligence claim. Bus drivers, as common carriers, are held to a higher duty of care than ordinary motorists, which can make establishing negligence more accessible when the evidence is properly preserved.

Nevada’s Statute of Limitations on Bus Accident Claims

Nevada’s personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury under NRS 11.190(4)(e). That sounds like ample time, but claims against government entities follow a separate administrative process under NRS 41.036 with distinct procedural requirements. Contacting a bus accident lawyer in Las Vegas as soon as possible after a crash can help protect your right to pursue compensation.

How Comparative Negligence Works in Nevada

Nevada follows the modified comparative negligence rule under NRS 41.141. If you are found partially at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 30% at fault in a $100,000 claim, you could recover $70,000. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you can’t recover any damages. Insurance adjusters know this rule and use it aggressively to reduce payouts. We counter that tactic with thorough evidence gathering and accident reconstruction to establish the true picture of fault.

Why Clients Choose Cohan PLLC for Bus Accident Cases

Chasen Cohan grew up in Las Vegas. He knows the courts, the judges, and the community dynamics that shape how cases are decided here. That local knowledge, combined with a trial-first approach, means our clients are not positioned as easy targets for a quick, undervalued settlement.

• Trial-Ready from Day One: We treat every case as though it will go before a jury. That means thorough evidence work, strong case narratives, and no pressure to settle unless the offer reflects full value. Our track record in complex cases has earned us referrals from other law firms and attorneys.
• Experience with Complex Claims: From catastrophic injuries to multi-party liability and government entity defendants, we handle cases that many smaller firms decline.
• Bilingual Service: We serve clients in both English and Spanish so language is never a barrier to the representation you need.
• Contingency Fee Basis: You pay no attorney’s fees or costs unless we recover compensation for you. You focus on healing while we focus on your case.
• Personal Attention: You receive direct contact, timely updates, and representation from our team, not a case number handed off to a paralegal.
• Free Consultations: We offer no-obligation case evaluations for bus accident victims and their families. We listen first, then provide guidance based on the specific facts of your situation.