Bus Accident Attorney Kirkland

Support & Guidance After a Serious Bus Crash in the Kirkland Area

A bus accident can change your life in a matter of seconds. One moment you are riding to work, heading home, or taking your kids across town, and the next you may be facing painful injuries, confusing paperwork, and worries about how you will pay your bills. If you were hurt in a bus crash in the Kirkland area, you deserve clear answers and a legal team that knows how to protect you.

At , we focus on helping injured people and their families rebuild after serious accidents, including collisions involving city buses, school buses, shuttles, and private coaches. Our firm is led by attorney Robert Kornfeld, who has personally lived through a serious injury and understands how overwhelming recovery can feel. We treat our clients the way we would want our own family treated, with respect, patience, and honest guidance from the first call through the end of the case.

Call today for a free consultation if you were injured in a bus accident in the Kirkland area. We’ll explain your options clearly and handle the legal process while you focus on healing.

Why Injured Bus Passengers Trust Our Team

Bus accidents are rarely simple. There may be dozens of passengers, several vehicles, a transit agency or private bus operator, and multiple insurance companies involved. Trying to sort through fault and paperwork while you are in pain is more than most people should have to handle alone. Our goal is to take that burden off your shoulders so you can focus on your health.

Since 1985, our team at has represented people with serious and complex personal injury claims. That long history means we have seen many different kinds of crashes and understand how to investigate what happened, preserve important evidence, and anticipate the tactics insurers may use. When a case involves a bus or public transit system, this experience can make a real difference in how your claim is built and presented.

Robert Kornfeld’s own experience as an injury survivor shapes the way we practice law. He knows firsthand what it is like to deal with surgeries, therapy, time away from work, and concern for your family’s future. This perspective guides how we listen to you, how we explain your legal options, and how we work to pursue compensation that supports your recovery. We strive to give every client personal attention, regular updates, and a sense that someone capable is standing beside them during an uncertain time.

Documenting Your Injuries & Losses

As your medical treatment progresses, we track your bills, records, and the ways your injuries affect your day-to-day life. This helps us evaluate the full scope of your losses, including time away from work, future treatment needs, and the impact on your activities and relationships. If negotiations lead to a settlement offer, we explain the proposal and answer your questions so you can make an informed decision. If your case needs to proceed into litigation, we are prepared to represent you in court and guide you through each hearing and step along the way. We know that many people hurt in bus accidents cannot easily travel. Our team can arrange to meet with you at your home, in a hospital on the Eastside, or in another convenient setting. 

Gather Information & Preserve Evidence

If it is safe to do so, try to gather key information while you are still at or near the scene. This can include the bus number or route, the name of the bus company or transit system, the location and time of the crash, and the names and contact information of any witnesses who are willing to share it. If you can use your phone, photos of the vehicles, the roadway, visible injuries, and anything unusual about the surroundings can be very helpful later.

In the hours and days after the collision, you may start to hear from insurance adjusters or representatives. It is natural to want to be polite and cooperative. However, it is usually better to avoid giving detailed recorded statements or signing documents before you have spoken with a lawyer who represents your interests. Once we are involved, we can talk with these companies on your behalf and help you avoid common pitfalls that can reduce the value of your claim.

Potentially Liable Drivers & Companies

In some situations, the actions of the bus driver are the central issue. Distracted driving, speeding, following too closely, or failing to adjust to traffic or weather can all contribute to a serious collision. In other cases, the company or public agency that operates the bus may have played a part by putting the driver on an overly tight schedule, failing to train drivers appropriately, or not keeping the vehicles in safe working order.

There are also cases where other drivers on the road share responsibility. A car that cuts in front of a bus without warning, fails to yield, or runs a red light can trigger a chain reaction that injures passengers and bystanders. In still other situations, companies responsible for maintaining the buses or entities involved in road design and maintenance can contribute to unsafe conditions.

Public Transit vs. Private Operators

When a bus is operated by a public transit system serving this region, claims may involve notice rules and timelines created by Washington law. When a bus is run by a private company, such as a charter service or shuttle provider, different insurance structures may apply. Sorting through these layers is not something most injured people can or should have to do on their own. Our team works to identify potentially responsible parties and pursue claims in a way that fits the specific facts of your crash.

Physical Injuries From Bus Crashes

Injuries from bus accidents can include fractures, sprains, and soft tissue damage to the neck and back. Some people suffer head injuries, such as concussions or more serious traumatic brain injuries, which can affect memory, concentration, and mood. Others may experience shoulder or knee injuries from bracing during impact, or internal injuries that require careful medical monitoring. These physical problems often show up alongside emotional stress and sleep disruption.

Financial & Daily Life Impact

The financial and practical impact of these injuries can be significant. You may face emergency room bills, follow-up visits, physical therapy, medication costs, and travel expenses to appointments. If you miss time from work, your income may drop at the same time your expenses rise. Household tasks, childcare, and activities you once enjoyed may become difficult or temporarily impossible. When we evaluate a bus accident claim, we look not only at your medical bills, but also at how your injuries affect your daily life and your ability to plan for the future.

While no amount of money can erase what happened, financial recovery can help you access the care you need and create more stability as you heal. Our team works to present a clear picture of your losses to the insurance companies and, when necessary, to the court, so they understand the real impact the crash has had on you and your family.

Navigating Washington Law & Local Resources

Washington has its own set of rules for personal injury claims, including procedures that may apply when a public entity operates the bus involved in your crash. Our team keeps these state-specific requirements in mind when advising clients about timelines, paperwork, and strategy. We work to help ensure that any notice requirements are handled correctly when they apply, so that you are not surprised by technical issues later on.

Because we are based in Seattle, we are also close enough to meet with clients in and around the Kirkland area without long delays. We understand the hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation providers that people in this region often use after serious injuries. This local perspective helps us talk with you about your treatment and day-to-day challenges in a way that feels grounded and practical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have a case if I was just a passenger on the bus?

In many situations, passengers do have claims after a bus crash, even though they did not control the vehicle. Your rights generally depend on how the collision occurred, who was responsible, and what injuries you suffered. Fault might rest with the bus driver, the company or agency that operates the bus, another driver on the road, or a combination of several parties. Our team reviews the facts of your situation, including reports, witness information, and your medical records, to help you understand whether a claim is possible. During a complimentary consultation, we can talk through what happened and explain your options in more detail.

How will I pay for a bus accident lawyer if I am out of work?

We know that one of the biggest worries after a serious accident is money. That is why we offer complimentary consultations, so you can speak with us and learn about your options without adding another upfront cost. Personal injury firms often structure fees in ways that do not require payment at the very beginning of the case. When you contact our office, we can explain how our fee arrangements typically work and how they are designed to make legal help accessible during a difficult time. Our goal is to reduce financial barriers so you can focus on healing while we handle the legal side.

What should I do if the bus company’s insurance contacts me?

If an insurance adjuster or representative reaches out, it is generally best to be cautious. You can confirm basic facts like your name, contact information, and the date of the crash, but it is usually wise to avoid giving a detailed recorded statement before you have legal advice. The questions may seem friendly, yet the answers can later be used to challenge how the crash happened or how serious your injuries are. When we represent you, we take over communication with insurers so you are not dealing with repeated calls and complex questions alone. If you are contacted before you have an attorney, you can let them know you are seeking legal guidance and then reach out to us to discuss next steps.

How long will a bus accident case in this area usually take?

The time it takes to resolve a bus accident claim can vary based on several factors. These include how serious your injuries are, how long it takes for your doctors to understand your long-term medical outlook, how many parties are involved, and whether the bus was operated by a public entity or a private company. Some cases resolve through settlement negotiations without a lawsuit, while others proceed into litigation, which adds more steps and can increase the timeline. When we talk with you about your situation, we can share what typically affects timing in cases like yours and keep you updated as your case moves forward. Our team works to move claims along efficiently while still making sure your injuries and losses are fully understood.

Can your team meet me at my home or in the hospital?

Yes, we can often arrange to meet you in the place that is safest and most comfortable for you. Many people injured in bus crashes have difficulty traveling, especially soon after the collision. To make the process easier, we can schedule consultations at your home, in a hospital on the Eastside, or in another location that works for you when that is appropriate. We also offer phone and virtual meetings for clients who prefer them. This flexibility is part of our belief that legal help should fit around your medical needs, not the other way around.

Will my bus accident claim go to court?

Some bus accident cases resolve through negotiated settlements without the need for a trial, while others do proceed into court. Whether your case goes to court can depend on how strongly the parties disagree about who was at fault, how serious your injuries are, and what the insurance companies are willing to offer. If litigation becomes necessary, it typically involves filing a lawsuit, going through discovery, and possibly attending hearings and a trial. At , we prepare your case with these possibilities in mind and explain each step so you know what to expect. We work to reach a fair resolution, whether that is through settlement or, when needed, by presenting your case to a judge or jury.

How soon should I talk to a lawyer after a bus crash?

It is usually helpful to speak with a lawyer as soon as you feel able after getting initial medical care. Early legal guidance can make it easier to preserve important evidence, such as witness statements and photographs, and to avoid mistakes when dealing with insurance companies. In cases involving public transit agencies, there may also be notice requirements and deadlines set by Washington law that are shorter than general time limits for filing a lawsuit. By contacting our team promptly, you give us more opportunity to help protect your rights and plan a strategy that fits your situation. Our complimentary consultations allow you to reach out early without worrying about an additional immediate expense.

Talk With Our Team About a Bus Accident in the Kirkland Area

If you or someone you care about has been hurt in a bus crash in or around the Kirkland area, you do not have to sort through the legal and insurance issues on your own. A conversation with our team at can help you understand your options, what a claim might involve, and how we can support you while you focus on your health.

During your complimentary consultation, we take time to listen, answer your questions in plain language, and outline possible next steps. We can meet with you at a location that is comfortable, including your home or hospital when appropriate, so you are not forced to travel before you are ready. Our team works to ease your stress, help protect your rights, and pursue financial recovery that can help you move forward after a difficult event.

To talk with our team about your potential bus accident claim, call today.