Average Settlement for Bus Accidents in Michigan: What to Expect in 2025
Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran
In 2024, Michigan recorded 511 bus accidents, 166 of which resulted in injuries and eight caused fatalities. If you’re a victim of such accidents, you can seek compensation by filing a claim against the at-fault party. The average settlement for bus injuries varies based on several factors, but you can take several steps to maximize your compensation.
Understanding Bus Accidents in Michigan
Bus accidents in Michigan might involve public or private buses, which affects your bus accident lawsuit. Public buses operated by regional transportation authorities like DDOT (Detroit), SMART, or CATA, university shuttles, and non-urbanized transit buses have special protections under governmental immunity laws. One is the requirement to file a written notice within sixty days of the crash to maintain your right to sue.
On the other hand, private buses such as Greyhound, charter buses, and tour buses don’t have the same immunity protections and can be sued under general personal injury laws.
Key Factors Influencing Settlements
The amount you receive in a bus accident settlement depends on factors such as:
Nature and Extent of Injuries
Injuries can be classified as “soft tissue” or “hard” injuries. Soft tissue injuries like sprains, strains, and whiplash receive lower compensation as they’re harder to prove and usually heal completely.
Hard injuries like broken bones, head trauma, spinal injuries, or permanent disfigurement often lead to higher settlements. Maintaining medical records documenting these injuries with X-rays, MRIs, or other objective tests strengthens your claim.
Medical Treatment and Expenses
The type of medical treatment and the provider you visit can influence the recoverable medical damages. Treatment from medical doctors and hospitals carries more weight than alternative therapies like acupuncture. Longer treatment periods may also indicate more serious injuries and, thus, higher settlements.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
If your injuries prevented you from working, you can claim compensation for lost wages. For serious injuries that affect your ability to work in the future, you may also receive compensation for diminished earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering damages often constitute a significant portion of bus accident settlements. They compensate for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. Insurance companies calculate pain and suffering damages using either a multiplier method (multiplying medical expenses by 1-5, depending on severity) or a per diem approach (assigning a daily rate for your suffering). Serious injuries result in higher pain and suffering damages.
Liability and Comparative Negligence
Michigan follows a modified comparative negligence doctrine. If you were partially at fault for the accident, your compensation might be reduced proportionally to your level of fault.
Legal Framework in Michigan for Bus Accident Claims
Michigan’s legal system for bus accident claims involves several components:
No-Fault Insurance Benefits
Michigan operates under a no-fault insurance policy. After a bus accident, you can receive Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits from your auto insurance, regardless of who caused the accident. These benefits cover:
- Medical expenses related to the crash
- Lost wages (up to 85% of your income for three years)
- Replacement services for help with household chores
- Attendant care, if needed
Third-Party Claims for Pain and Suffering
You must file a third-party claim against the at-fault party to receive compensation for pain and suffering. However, you can only do this if your injuries meet Michigan’s “serious impairment of body function” threshold.
This means your injury must be objectively manifested (verifiable by medical evidence), affect an important body function, and impact your ability to lead a normal life.
Government Immunity and Notice Provision
Government entities have immunity from many lawsuits, but there are exceptions for negligent operation of motor vehicles. For accidents involving regional transportation authorities, you must serve written notice of your claim within 60 days of the accident (MCL 124-419). This requirement is strictly enforced; failing to provide timely notice will bar your claim.
For public university or state-owned buses, you must file your claim or notice of intent with the Court of Claims within 6 months of the accident.
Estimating Your Settlement: What to Expect
The average settlement for bus accident cases in Michigan varies widely based on injury severity. Compensation for minor injuries with limited treatment and pain ranges from $10,000 to $50,000. Moderate injuries that can fully recover attract settlements as high as $250,000.
Severe injuries causing permanent impairment can exceed $250,000 and potentially reach millions, especially with traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, or permanent disability.
How to Maximize Your Settlement in a Bus Accident Case
What you do after an accident can determine how much compensation you receive for your bus accident claim. The first step is seeking prompt medical treatment after the accident, even for minor injuries. This creates an official record linking your injuries to the accident, showing you took them seriously.
During your treatment, maintain detailed records of all treatments, expenses, missed workdays, and how the injuries affect your daily life. Consider keeping a daily pain journal describing your physical limitations and emotional state.
Collect and preserve evidence from the accident scene, including photos, witness contact information, and the police report, to help establish liability.
Be careful when dealing with insurance companies. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters without legal representation. Insurance companies often use these statements to minimize your claim. Never accept a quick settlement offer without understanding the full extent of your injuries.
Most importantly, consult with a bus accident lawyer in Michigan who understands the specific challenges of these cases. An experienced attorney will:
- Ensure you meet all critical deadlines, especially the 60-day notice requirement
- Properly document and present your injuries and damages
- Negotiate effectively with insurance companies
- Identify all potential sources of compensation
- Take your case to trial if necessary to secure fair compensation
Find a Bus Accident Lawyer in Michigan
If you or someone you love has had their life changed by a serious bus accident in Michigan, get the legal representation you need. Speak with our compassionate, knowledgeable Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. attorneys. We can review your case, guide you through the claims process, and draft an impactful victim impact statement for your bus accident case. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Our contingency fee basis means we only get paid if we win your case, so there is no financial risk to you to get started. Call our law firm today at 1-866-MICH-LAW and schedule your no-obligation, free case evaluation.
Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.
