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Many people in Columbus rely on mass transit, such as the Central Ohio Transit Authority bus. Accidents due to negligence can cause serious injuries, and our experienced bus accident lawyers at Gervelis Law Firm are here to help. With decades of experience, a Columbus bus accident lawyer on our team can build a strong case that maximizes compensation for your damages.
Many people in the Columbus area rely on mass transit to get to where they’re going. Whether they’re traveling by train or using the Central Ohio Transit Authority bus, they can suffer serious injuries if there’s an accident. When the accident results from negligence, our experienced transit accident lawyers fight for the injured.
Gervelis Law Firm has been serving clients throughout Ohio for decades. Our Columbus lawyers have the experience, knowledge, and resources needed to get results in complex cases. We know that an injury from a transit accident can affect your life in many ways. That’s why our goal is to help you recover maximum compensation.
What sets us apart is our ability to offer the resources of a large injury law firm with the customer service of a boutique firm. Our founding attorney has been recognized as a Super Lawyer numerous times through a peer-review process that identifies the most skilled lawyers in Ohio. Trust our award-winning team of skilled litigators to secure the compensation that you are owed.
Because people who use mass transit usually don’t wear seatbelts, they are often thrown from their seats by the force of impact during a crash. This can result in a wide range of serious injuries. Victims can suffer lacerations, broken bones, and injuries to the head, neck, or back. More serious injuries include spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injury.
Columbus transit accidents can be complicated because many parties are often involved. These can include the driver or operator, the company or agency that owns the bus or train, and in some cases, the manufacturer of defective parts. Each party may have a different insurance company and a different lawyer.
It only takes one act of negligence to cause a transit accident. A driver or operator may have been driving too fast. A driver or operator may have been fatigued or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A transit company or agency may have failed to properly maintain or repair a bus or train. Or a bus or train had a defective part that led to an accident.
Our Columbus law firm knows how to identify the negligent parties and hold them accountable. We can send our Rapid Investigation Team to an accident scene to gather evidence, take photos, and talk to witnesses. We carefully review accident reports and take steps to preserve safety records and other documents under the control of transit companies or agencies.
In addition to collisions with other vehicles or pedestrian impacts, passengers are often hurt in single-vehicle bus crashes that result from the bus running off the road, striking a fixed object, or rolling due to a loss of control. These violent incidents can throw seated or standing passengers forward.
Injuries may also result from mechanical or maintenance failures, including brake malfunctions, steering issues, or tire blowouts tied to poor upkeep or defective parts. Driver-related negligence is another category. Crashes caused by speeding, fatigue, distraction, or intoxication can occur along busy corridors like High Street, Broad Street, and Cleveland Avenue.
Lastly, riders can be injured during routine rides when a bus accelerates, turns, or stops suddenly. These incidents can lead to broken bones, cuts, head trauma, and other serious types of injuries that send riders seeking emergency care at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, which is located at 111 South Grant Avenue in Columbus.
The city’s primary transit provider is Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA). COTA is a regional transit authority created under Ohio Law and treated as a part of the state. When a crash involves a COTA bus, different rules may apply than in a typical car accident. These cases may require meeting short deadlines and other requirements. Through the first half of 2025, COTA reported about 6,025,136 bus rides.
School bus crashes are handled differently as well. School buses may be owned directly by a school district or operated by a private company under contract. Either way, school districts are also political subdivisions under Ohio law. That status can affect liability rules and procedural requirements, even when a private driver is involved. The 2025 Ohio school bus safety bulletin found that 889 school bus occupants were injured in crashes between 2020 and 2025.
Columbus also sees buses operated by the Ohio State University through its Campus Area Bus Service (CABS). Because OSU is a public university, collisions and injuries involving CABS buses may involve a public entity as the defendant.
If you were injured in a bus accident in Columbus, the experience of your Columbus bus accident attorney can play a critical role in shaping the outcome of your bus accident claim. The decision to hire a bus accident attorney equips you with the support of a knowledgeable Columbus bus accident lawyer who understands the state’s bus accident laws and how they apply to your injury claim.
Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) in Columbus had around 429 buses in its total fleet. Whether your case involves a COTA or a school bus, having legal representation is crucial. Attorneys understand the burden of proof that must be met before a claimant can receive compensation.
They can gather evidence and initiate negotiations with the at-fault party or the group they work for. Having legal representation removes the uncertainty associated with the claims process by allowing a skilled attorney to take the lead on important matters related to your injury claim.
A: There is no cap on what you can receive in economic damages from a bus accident claim, but any compensation would depend on your attorney’s ability to establish fault and liability. Other factors that can determine the size of an eventual settlement include the severity of the injury, medical costs, and whether the collision led to a loss of earning capacity. Private and public buses carry high insurance limits, but any final payout could be influenced by policy caps.
A: If you suffered physical and emotional harm from a bus accident, it can be well worth hiring an accident attorney. Legal representation plays a crucial role in shaping the outcome of injury claims. An attorney can manage the complexities of a claim, from gathering evidence to handling negotiations or litigation. If you are seeking maximum compensation for a bus collision injury, securing high-quality representation should be your top priority.
A: The amount of compensation that you can get for a bus accident depends on your attorney’s ability to clearly establish liability. A settlement can account for the harm you endured and the financial losses you incurred following a collision. Damages are classified as economic or non-economic. Examples of economic damages include medical bills and lost wages, while non-economic damages include the emotional harm resulting from a collision.
A: You can find the right bus accident attorney for your bus injury claim by asking for referrals from friends and family. Online searches can also yield quality results. Look for an injury lawyer who has successfully managed bus injury claims. They should bring years or decades of experience. Awards and recognitions by respected peer-reviewed groups can be another sign that you have found the right lawyer for your case.
A: The amount that you settle for is up to you and you alone. Your attorney can provide advice by explaining the pros and cons of accepting the defendant’s offer. A fair settlement should account for the full extent of your injuries, including the tangible and intangible losses you suffered. Legal representation can play a crucial role in ensuring that you receive maximum compensation for the injuries and setbacks you endured.
Contact Gervelis Law Firm to discuss your case with a trusted Ohio
with a trusted Ohio personal injury attorney.
Medical expenses can add up quickly and become overwhelming after a Columbus transit accident. You may need diagnostic testing, surgery, hospitalization, medication, physical therapy, home health care, and months of follow-up appointments. If you can’t work, there is less income coming in. Many accident victims experience financial stress.
Our Columbus transit accident lawyers determine the total damages you have suffered and demand financial compensation. This includes compensation for all current and future medical expenses, lost wages if you couldn’t work, and other damages, such as pain and suffering. We can often negotiate a favorable settlement with the insurance company. If they won’t negotiate, we’re prepared to fight for you in court.
When you’ve been hurt in a transit accident, it’s important to get trusted legal advice as soon as possible. Contact our office today to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced Columbus transit accident lawyers. We’re ready to fight for you.
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