Prioritize your safety and seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Under ORS 811.745, Oregon law requires reporting a vehicle accident to police when it results in injury, death, or more than $2,500 in property damage. If you're able, document the scene: take photos of the bus number, license plate, your injuries, and the surrounding area. Get contact information from any witnesses. Report the incident to the bus driver or transit operator and request a copy of the incident report. See a medical provider as soon as possible, as some injuries from sudden stops, falls, or collisions inside a bus may not be immediately apparent. If the bus was operated by TriMet or another government transit agency, be aware that you have only 180 days to file a notice of claim under the Oregon Tort Claims Act (ORS 30.275). Contact a bus accident lawyer promptly to ensure no deadlines are missed.

It depends on what caused the accident. If a TriMet bus driver was negligent (e.g., speeding, distracted driving, sudden braking, or failing to yield), TriMet may be liable under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, which holds employers responsible for their employees' negligent acts within the scope of employment. Under Oregon's Tort Claims Act (ORS 30.265), public bodies like TriMet are subject to civil claims for torts committed by their officers, employees, and agents acting within the scope of their duties. In many cases, TriMet as a public body becomes the sole defendant, and the individual driver is protected. If another driver caused the accident (e.g., a car that collided with the bus), that driver and their insurance may be liable instead. In some cases, the bus manufacturer or a maintenance company may share liability if a mechanical failure contributed to the crash. An experienced bus accident attorney can investigate all potentially liable parties.

This is critical: because TriMet is a public body (a municipal corporation under Oregon law), the Oregon Tort Claims Act imposes a much shorter deadline than a standard car accident claim. Under ORS 30.275, you must file a notice of claim within 180 days of the injury for non-wrongful-death claims (one year for wrongful death). This is not optional. If you miss this deadline, you may permanently lose your right to pursue compensation, regardless of how strong your case is. The notice must include a statement that a damages claim is being asserted, a description of the time, place, and circumstances of the incident, and the claimant's name and mailing address. It must be delivered to TriMet's principal administrative office, a member of its governing body, or its designated general counsel. After filing the notice, you still have the standard two-year statute of limitations (ORS 30.275(9)) to file an actual lawsuit, but these clocks run simultaneously, not consecutively. Acting quickly also helps preserve key evidence, including onboard bus camera footage, which transit agencies may not retain indefinitely.

Because TriMet is a local public body, the Oregon Tort Claims Act (ORS 30.272) sets specific liability limits that differ from claims against private parties. For causes of action arising between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026, the limits for injury or death claims against local government bodies are $879,200 for a single claimant and $1,758,300 for all claimants arising from a single accident. These caps cover your total recovery (both economic and noneconomic damages combined). This is different from claims against private parties, where there is no statutory cap on noneconomic damages for living plaintiffs following the Oregon Supreme Court's decision in Busch v. McInnis Waste Systems (2020). However, the OTCA caps are periodically adjusted and represent significant amounts of compensation. An experienced attorney can help maximize your recovery within these limits.

Yes. Oregon follows a modified comparative negligence rule under ORS 31.600. You can recover damages as long as your percentage of fault is not greater than the combined fault of all other responsible parties (50% or less). Your award will be reduced by your share of fault. For example, if you were standing when you could have been seated and are found 10% at fault for your injuries, and your total damages are $100,000, you would receive $90,000. However, transit agencies and their insurers may argue that you contributed to your injuries by not holding on, standing when seats were available, or other factors. Thorough documentation and experienced legal representation can counter these arguments.

You may be eligible for compensation covering medical expenses (past and future), lost wages and loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and any other damages resulting from your injuries. For claims against government transit agencies, total damages are subject to the Oregon Tort Claims Act caps described above. For claims against private parties (e.g., another driver who caused the bus accident), there is no statutory cap on noneconomic damages for surviving plaintiffs. The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, your recovery timeline, liability factors, and the available insurance coverage.

Our bus accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and owe no fees unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict awarded, typically ranging from 33% to 40% depending on the complexity of the case. There are no hourly charges, retainers, or hidden costs.

Yes. Senft Legal helps injured bus accident and public transit victims throughout Oregon, including Portland, Eugene, Bend, Salem, Corvallis, and nearby communities. Whether your accident involved a TriMet bus, a school bus, a charter bus, or any other public or private transit vehicle, our team can review your claim and help you pursue compensation.