GRTC Bus Accidents Attorneys in Richmond & Tappahannock, VA

GRTC Bus Accidents

Each day, thousands of people depend on Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) buses to commute to work and travel around the region. Buses offer an inexpensive and convenient way to avoid the hassles of dealing with traffic. But buses are also large commercial vehicles, which means they can seriously injure someone if a driver’s negligence leads to an accident.

If you have been injured while riding a GRTC bus–or struck by one as a pedestrian–then there are a number of special legal hoops you need to jump through in seeking compensation. An experienced Richmond GRTC bus accidents lawyer can help. Attorney Ryan Wind can investigate the circumstances surrounding your bus accident and advise you on the necessary steps to take in holding GRTC accountable.

Why Accidents Involving GRTC Buses Are Different

Normally if you are injured by a negligent driver, you can file a personal injury lawsuit and seek monetary damages for your losses. When it comes to a GRTC bus accident, however, it is not quite that simple. The main reason for this has to do with a legal concept known as sovereign immunity.

Virginia derived much of its common law from England. Sovereign immunity was one of these ideas. It basically means that “the King” cannot be sued in court without his consent. In modern terms, you cannot sue the Commonwealth of Virginia or any of its subdivisions unless the General Assembly has granted its consent through legislation. Fortunately, there is a law–the Virginia Tort Claims Act (VTCA)–that does grant such consent.

GRTC Bus Accidents

Since the GRTC is considered part of the Commonwealth–it is jointly owned by the City of Richmond and Chesterfield County–any personal injury claims against it fall under the VTCA. This means a couple of things. First, if you have been injured in an accident caused by a GRTC bus, you must provide a written claim for damages to the agency within six months. This notice is designed to give the GRTC a chance to investigate your claim and make a settlement offer. If you fail to give notice within the six-month period, you may be barred from subsequently filing a lawsuit.

And even if you do file a lawsuit, the VTCA limits the GRTC’s liability to $100,000, regardless of how much your losses actually were. Now there is a critical exception. The Supreme Court of Virginia has held the $100,000 cap only covers cases involving ordinary negligence. If you can prove a GRTC employee’s conduct involved “gross negligence” or intentional misconduct, the limit does not apply.

At Wind Law, LLC We Also Representing The Following Legal Services:

Contact Wind Law, LLC Today

In short, if you have been hurt in an accident involving a bus owned by the GRTC or any other local government in Virginia, it is important that you seek out qualified legal advice as soon as possible. Richmond GRTC bus accidents lawyer Ryan Wind can sit down with you and advise you of your options. Contact Wind Law, LLC, today to schedule an initial consultation.