Your Advocate For Justice After A Serious Accident Or Injury

W. Paul Otten and staff

A Local Burnsville Bus Accident Attorney For Injury Victims

Last updated on December 1, 2025

The size of buses means that the injuries they cause in accidents are often catastrophic. Whether you were riding the bus or were hit by one, you may now have expensive medical bills, severe pain and suffering, and the inability to work. You need strong legal representation now.

This is where Otten Law Offices comes in. Since 1990, we have served the people of Minnesota’s South Metro area, including Burnsville. Our founding attorney, Paul Otten, is a widely renowned personal injury attorney who was chosen for the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 — a rare honor. He provides zealous yet compassionate service, prioritizing out-of-court settlements but always prepared for a trial.

What To Know About Bus Accident Claims

Bus accidents are often highly complex. They may involve privately owned commercial buses, public transit buses or school buses. In the Twin Cities and Minneapolis, where bus lines are numerous, the chances of an accident are higher. Some of the most common injuries in bus accidents include:

A driver could strike another vehicle on the road or strike a pedestrian or a cyclist. Passengers on the bus may suffer injuries due to the driver’s negligence. Poor vehicle conditions can also cause harm to riders. We investigate every detail to determine who is responsible for your injuries.

Common Dangers That Cause Bus Injuries

If a bus company cuts corners on maintenance or driver safety, people get hurt. In addition, accidents can result from many issues inside or outside the bus. These are just a few examples of negligence:

  • Broken seating
  • Nonfunctional, missing or defective seatbelts
  • Loose, broken or missing handrails
  • Damaged storage areas that let items fall onto passengers
  • Broken windows
  • Lack of adequate lighting
  • Damaged or cluttered steps
  • Poorly maintained vehicles, including those with flat tires, damaged brakes, missing headlights and tail lights, and damaged rearview mirrors

Undertrained, overworked drivers can also play a factor in crashes. Some bus drivers make the poor decision to operate the vehicle while drunk. Abusive or improper behavior by the driver or the bus company’s failure to screen them can also lead to injury claims.

What Happens If A Public Bus Hits You?

When grappling with a government entity like a city transit company, there are special rules and shorter deadlines. You must file a formal notice of claim within just 180 days after a public bus accident. This deadline is much shorter than the six-year limit for most other injury cases. Instead of handling things on your own, you should work with a personal injury lawyer like ours who knows how to file claims against public entities.

How Much Compensation Can You Get From A Bus Accident?

The amount of money you receive depends on the severity of your injuries. It covers medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Every case is different, but we always aim to recover as much compensation as possible.

What Are The Odds Of Winning A Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Most personal injury claims, including bus and car crashes, settle before a trial. Even so, we are highly skilled at build a strong case based on the facts and the law. However, we prepare every claim as though it will go to court. This preparation gives can give us an advantage at the negotiating table.

Call Our Minnesota Law Office Today For Your Free Consultation

We provide vigorous representation to help you secure your financial recovery. Do not wait to protect your rights: contact us immediately at 952-303-0702 or send us an email today. We provide free consultations.