Providence Bus Accident Lawyer
Public transit and school buses are supposed to be reliable and safe modes of transportation. However, an accident can happen and change your life in an instant, leaving you uncertain about your family’s well-being and financial security.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident, you need top-quality legal representation to fight for the justice and compensation your family needs. At Rob Levine Law, our Providence bus accident lawyers are aggressive advocates for those in need. Let us fight for you.
Find out what your case is worth.
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Last Updated:
August 12, 2025
Table of Contents
- Reasons To Hire a Providence Bus Accident Lawyer After an Accident
- What To Expect From the Providence Bus Accident Process
- What Injuries Are Common From Bus Accidents?
- Why Are Bus Accidents More Complex Than Other Vehicle Crashes?
- What Types of Compensation Are Available for Bus Accident Victims in Providence?
- Why Choose Rob Levine Law for Your Providence Bus Accident Claim?
- Bus Accident FAQs
Reasons To Hire a Providence Bus Accident Lawyer After an Accident
If you have been in a bus accident, you may be eligible for substantial compensation. However, bus accident lawsuits are often complex and require an aggressive approach to be successful. Rob Levine Law has earned the title of THE HEAVY HITTER® in Rhode Island and beyond due to our reputation for tireless pursuit of justice. We have deep local experience with bus accident lawsuits, allowing us to examine your case from all angles, identify all the liable parties, and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
Our Providence injury attorneys are available 24/7 to our clients and will travel to meet you if in-office or remote meetings aren’t possible. Our Fee Free Guarantee® means you won’t pay any fees or owe us anything unless you win your case.
What To Expect From the Providence Bus Accident Process
Understanding the legal process after an injury and accident can be overwhelming, especially if it occurs to your child. Having representation you can trust and feel confident in makes all the difference. When you work with Rob Levine Law, you can expect:
- Initial Consultation: You’ll meet with your lawyer, who will evaluate your case and advise you of the legal options available.
- Investigation: After your consultation, our team will investigate your case and gather evidence such as medical records, police reports, and witness testimonies.
- Negotiation: We’ll negotiate with the opposition and their insurance companies to pursue a fair settlement.
- Litigation: If the other side fails to offer a full and fair settlement, we will litigate your case and fight for you in court.
The process for recovering compensation can vary if your accident involved a commercial or school bus.
What Are the Differences Between Handling Commercial and School Bus Accidents?
In Providence, thousands of people use the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, or RIPTA. College students alone take over half a million rides annually.
The type of bus involved in your accident can impact your case. School bus accidents may involve the liability of public school districts and contractors. School bus accidents often have shorter deadlines for filing claims, and payout limits may apply. State laws can also impact compensation.
Commercial bus accidents typically have higher claim limits and follow standard deadlines. Municipalities or private companies can operate them. For instance, RIPTA is a state-operated public transportation authority. The operator might be vicariously liable for a driver’s negligence or for its own negligence, such as failing to address a maintenance issue or properly train the driver.
What Injuries Are Common From Bus Accidents?
Being involved in a bus accident can be dangerous, especially when riding public transportation. Most buses, including school buses, don’t have seat belts, and many commercial buses allow standing. If a bus gets into an accident, passengers don’t have much protection. Some injuries from bus accidents can include:
- Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI: A bus accident can lead to severe concussions and head injuries due to a lack of protection. Some head injuries might not be immediately apparent, but can have serious long-term consequences.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: An accident or whiplash can also harm your neck and spine, potentially leading to paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- Broken Bones: Crashes can cause fractures, or broken bones in your arms and legs, especially if you’re standing on a bus during the incident.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Bus accidents can cause bruising, muscle pulls or tears, or sprains and strains to the neck, back, or shoulder.
- Emotional Distress: After a serious bus accident, you might face significant mental health issues like PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Why Are Bus Accidents More Complex Than Other Vehicle Crashes?
Bus accidents are often more complex than typical motor vehicle accidents. At Rob Levine Law, our Providence bus accident lawyers will investigate every aspect of your case to determine who can be held accountable for your injuries. Some aspects that make these cases more complex include:
- Multiple Liable Parties: Depending on the type of bus, bus drivers, transit authorities, school districts, or a private company may be held liable. A driver could have broken a traffic law, but the company may not have thoroughly trained bus drivers.
- Government Immunity: Bringing claims against a municipality can have different deadlines. Claims against government entities may be subject to special legal rules. RIPTA is a self-insured agency operated by a single entity statewide, and it processes all insurance claims directly.
- Large Insurance Policies: Commercial buses usually carry higher coverage, making negotiation more challenging.
What Types of Compensation Are Available for Bus Accident Victims in Providence?
If you’re involved in a bus accident in Providence, you might qualify for economic and non-economic damages. Potential damages you may recover for a bus accident include the following:
- Medical expenses: Covers the past and future medical bills for emergency room visits, doctor’s appointments, medications, surgeries, and physical therapy
- Long-term care: If your injuries from the accident are severe, you may require long-term care or continuous medical treatment
- Lost wages: Compensation for time missed from work after the accident to recover and any lost earning capacity related to your injuries
- Pain and suffering: Covering the physical effects of your injuries, including scarring, disfigurement, and disability
- Emotional distress: Covers the mental and emotional trauma you experience due to your injuries
- Property damage: If your accident involved your vehicle, you can receive compensation to repair or replace it.
Many factors in bus accidents can influence the compensation given in each case. Rhode Island operates under a pure comparative negligence law. You can still recover compensation even if you are partially at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your share of the fault. Thus, if you’re 70% responsible and sustained $100,000 in damages, you can recover $30,000.
Compensation can also vary depending on the kind of bus involved. Commercial bus accidents typically involve private companies, which might mean higher insurance limits and greater compensation. School bus accidents usually involve school districts, and state laws may limit compensation.
Why Compensation Differs Between Commercial and School Bus Accidents
Compensation after a bus accident varies depending on factors such as who is liable, the severity of injuries involved, the available insurance coverage, and the strength of the case. Furthermore, recoveries in commercial bus accident cases can vary from those involving school buses, as shown below:
School Bus Accidents
Liability
School district or contractors
Claim Process
Requires notice of claim; shorter deadlines
Insurance Coverage
Government self-insurance; may have caps
Legal Complexity
Higher due to government involvement
Commercial Bus Accidents
Liability
Private companies or municipal authorities
Claim Process
Standard personal injury procedures
Insurance Coverage
Typically higher private insurance limits
Legal Complexity
Generally more straightforward
Why Choose Rob Levine Law for Your Providence Bus Accident Claim?
Rob Levine Law has over 25 years of experience and deep local knowledge, having helped more than 50,000 people in Providence and throughout New England recover the compensation and benefits they deserve. Our bus accident attorneys fiercely advocate for our injured accident victims and are always available to assist them. Let Rob Levine fight for you!
Contact us today or call (800) 742-3920. Available 24/7; Win or No Fees™.
Hear from Our Satisfied Clients
Christian helped me, guided me, and explained everything throughout my process.
He was always there to answer any questions I had through it all. I really appreciate all his help and highly recommend him and the law firm of Rob Levine. You will not be disappointed. Thank you.
Ivette E.
If you are looking for someone to get results, you need to give them a call.
I highly recommend Rob Levine and Maria Chona. They are very knowledgeable and have a lot of experience in helping others. They are very nice people and are top-notch.
Timothy B.
From the beginning to the end of the process, it was stress-free.
Gressa and Edward were very knowledgeable and very helpful. They answered all my questions and made me feel at ease.
Yvette W.
Bus Accident FAQs
How Does RIPTA’s Status as a Public Agency Affect My Ability To File a Claim or Lawsuit Against Them? Are There Special Procedures for Suing a Government Agency?
RIPTA is a self-insured agency, so all claims go directly to them, which makes negotiations more challenging. You can sue government entities in Rhode Island. Public transportation systems generally operate under the state’s Common Carrier laws. Drivers must provide the highest level of safety and care for all passengers.
Can I Claim Compensation for the Stress and Anxiety of Potentially Falling Behind Academically?
If you can show that your stress and anxiety resulted from your bus accident and your injuries, you might qualify for emotional distress damages.
What Are Providence’s Traffic Laws for Public Transit Vehicles Like Ripta Buses, and How Do They Impact My Case?
Providence’s Code of Ordinances has specific measures governing buses. Buses are generally subject to the same general traffic laws as other vehicles on the road. However, some ordinances cover bus lanes, stops, and operations. Violations of those laws might help establish negligence.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Claim After a Bus Accident in Providence?
In most cases, you have three years to file a lawsuit after a bus accident. However, the deadline may be shorter if a government entity like a school district is involved. If you miss this deadline, you will lose the ability to recover damages for your injuries. Speak with a knowledgeable Providence bus accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you file your claim on time.
What Evidence Will I Need After a Bus Accident?
Your case will be stronger if you report the accident to the police and seek medical attention afterward. Accident reports and medical records can strengthen your case. Also helpful are surveillance video footage and witness reports, which your lawyer can assist you in obtaining.
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Notable Case Results
$125,000
Client was getting off of 95 near Roger Williams Zoo when the defendant tried switching lanes hitting the rear and side of our clients car. Client had several pre exisiting health issues and the insurance companied denied her injuries. Our attorney was able to relate the injuries were caused by the accident by getting older […]
$500,000
Client was crossing Pawtucket Avenue in East Providence when he was struck by a car. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Our office represented the family, getting them the full policy limits.
$300,000
Client was driving on Douglas Avenue in North Providence. Defendant failed to stop and t bone our client. Our client was rushed to Fatima Hospital. Suffering from shoulder pain which needed surgery. The defendants insurance company tried to say the injuries were pre-existing but our firm was able to get medical opinions that proved the […]
$250,000
Truck accident on Central Ave in Pawtucket Client was forced off the road when an 18-wheeler pulled onto a side street forcing the client to turn hard to avoid a forceful impact by the semi-tractor trailer and struck a telephone pole head-on. Client had significant and permanent injuries to his cervical spine including a surgery […]
$75,000
Client was t-boned by a car in Hope Rhode Island on his motorcycle when the defendant took a left hand turn and drove right into our client. The client had severe injuries which required a leg amputation. The defendant only had 25,000 in coverage and our client had an additonal 50,000 in UM coverage. We […]
$450,000
for a client who was T-boned in North Smithfield by a defendant who ran a stop sign. The client suffered from neck, back, and shoulder pain, and due to these injuries, he lost a lucrative job. Initially, our office received an offer of $30,000, but we believed the case warranted further action and decided to […]
$950,000
Client was riding his motorcycle on Londsale Avenue in Pawtucket. Defendant took a left out of a side street and slammed directly into our client on their motorcycle. Client was rushed to Rhode Island hospital, trauma 1 center where they attempted to perform surgery but the client passed away from his injuries. Rob Levine Law […]
$175,000
Client walked into Price Rite in Providence Gentleman slipped and fell on grapes that had been left on the floor in front of a produce display and not cleaned up by the supermarket. Video failed to capture the fall, but client’s family captured critical photos from the scene that showed the grapes streaked along his […]
$22,000
Client was with her uncle in Pawtucket RI, they were walking down the street to get some ice cream when a dog came out of a yard and bit her in the arm. Client’s uncle tried shielding her and pulling her away but the dog was latched on. Had stitches and weeks of antibiotics and […]
$36,500
Client was at Stadium Pub in Cranston Rhode Island when she fell on poorly lit stairs, breaking her shoulder which required surgery. Liability was contested as the insurance company felt the stairs were fine. Our litigation team was able to get the client the compensation she wanted.
$82,051
Client living in Riverside RI was manic depresive struggling with tiredness and fatigue. Had suicidal tendencies, brain fog and couldn’t perform simple tasks.
$1,005,000
Veterans livining in Providence after years of serving in the US Air Force in the early 1980s she suffered from PTSD and was a sexual misconduct victim in the service. Our firm won over a million dollars in back benefits for the vet.
This guy is the real deal!
I had really given up on the whole VA system until I found this firm in Providence, RI and decided to take a long shot. My Veterans Claims Advocate is Christian Lavallee and what a professional. Although I had given up on him he had never given up on me. Today he informed me that […]
Wilfred Pow
I had an excellent experience working with Mike Gardiner at Rob Levine Law.
From the moment I reached out, Rob Levine’s team demonstrated exceptional professionalism and empathy. Michael’s expertise on both sides of personal injury law was evident in every interaction, and he was always available to answer my questions and guide me through the process. His dedication and thoroughness significantly eased the stress of my case. Thanks […]
Andre A.
These people really care about you and your issues.
The team showed empathy, compassion, and professionalism throughout the process. While my case was successful, I believe that even had it not, my feelings would stay the same. Hire this team to represent you. That’s all there is to it.
Emmitt DeLong II
I highly recommend him for any of your personal injuries.
I want to thank Rob Levine and staff for going above and beyond on behalf of my family and me. They fought very hard so that I could receive the justice amount from the non-at-fault car accident I was involved in. Thank you. God Bless.
Boblin M.
Bravo to the team at Rob Levine Law!
My personal injury case was expertly handled from start to finish, and all of my questions throughout the process were answered. I am very pleased with my settlement amount, which was right within the range where the firm had my case valued, and I would highly recommend this firm to anyone.
D. B.
Rob Levine helped get to 90 and 100 percent unemployable.
They got me this in a short period of time. I called them and gave them all the info they wanted, and I waited. They were great.
Robert B.
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