Side-Impact Crash at Pioneers Blvd and Hwy 77 in Lincoln, NE

Bus accident claims in Omaha can involve legal rules that do not apply to typical car accident claims. The operator is almost always a government entity or a private carrier working under a government contract. These cases can involve special notice requirements and limits on how much you can recover. An Omaha bus accident injury attorney can help you meet these requirements so a missed deadline does not prevent you from pursuing your claim. The Critical Government Notice Requirement for Omaha Transit Claims Omaha Metro Transit, the City of Omaha, and Omaha Public Schools are government entities. If their vehicles or negligent actions injure a passenger or bystander, the injured person must follow the Nebraska Political Subdivisions Tort Claims Act before filing a lawsuit. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-919, a written claim generally must be filed within one year after the claim accrues, and a lawsuit generally must begin within two years after that date. Statutory exceptions and extensions may apply. These deadlines run from when the claim legally arises, which is not always the injury date. The written claim must be filed with the person or office authorized to receive it under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-905. Sending it to the wrong recipient can prevent you from pursuing the claim. These deadlines are separate from Nebraska’s general four-year deadline for personal injury lawsuits under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207. They also give injured people less time to act. Missing the applicable notice deadline can prevent you from suing, even if you have a strong injury case. An Omaha personal injury attorney can identify the responsible entity, prepare the required notice, and file it with the correct recipient on time. Types of Bus Accidents Covered by Nebraska Law Bus accident claims in Omaha can involve different parties and legal rules, depending on who operates the bus and how the injury happened. City bus and Metro Transit crashes involve Omaha’s publicly owned Metro system. Passengers injured when a bus brakes suddenly, collides with another vehicle while turning, or is hit by another driver may have claims against Metro Transit. They may also have claims against another driver who caused the crash. Claims involving pedestrians struck by Metro Transit buses are also subject to government notice requirements. School bus accidents involving vehicles operated by Omaha Public Schools or Millard Public Schools follow the same government liability rules. Claims for children injured in a crash or while getting on or off a bus are subject to the notice requirement, though Nebraska law may extend deadlines for minors. Parents may have separate claims for their child’s medical expenses. These claims generally must be filed within one year of when the parents knew, or reasonably should have known, about the government entity’s negligence. Charter buses and other privately operated buses follow private liability rules rather than government notice requirements. This includes buses used for contracted routes or organized transportation. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations that govern commercial truck drivers also apply to interstate charter bus operators. Common Causes of Bus Injuries in Omaha Sudden braking without enough warning for standing passengers is one of the most common causes of injuries on Metro Transit routes through North Omaha and downtown. Collisions at busy intersections along Dodge Street, Leavenworth Street, and 72nd Street also cause injuries to passengers and pedestrians. Bus loading and unloading zones can also be dangerous. Passengers who exit onto the street along routes through the Old Market and downtown must cross through traffic. Drivers who fail to yield to passengers leaving a bus stop may share responsibility for resulting injuries. Why Bus Passenger Injury Claims Are Different From Car Accident Claims Bus operators owe passengers a higher level of care than drivers generally owe other motorists. Under Nebraska common law, common carriers that transport passengers for a fee must use the highest degree of care. This means taking the greatest precautions that are practical while operating the vehicle. An Omaha bus accident lawyer at our firm can explain how this higher duty applies to passengers aboard a bus. Pedestrians at bus stops are owed ordinary care. For passengers injured in a sudden stop or collision, such as those with fractures or spinal injuries, the higher duty of care can make negligence easier to establish than in a typical car accident claim. FAQ: Bus Accident Claims in Omaha and Nebraska What if I was injured on a Metro Transit bus in Omaha and did not file a notice within one year? If the applicable one-year notice deadline has passed, you may be unable to pursue a claim against the government entity. Contact an attorney immediately to find out whether an exception applies or whether you have a claim against another party. Can I sue the driver of a vehicle that hit the bus I was on? Yes. If another driver caused the crash, you may have a claim against that driver and seek payment through their liability insurance. Government notice requirements apply to claims against the transit entity, not private drivers. What if the bus driver and another driver were both at fault? Nebraska’s comparative negligence rules allow you to bring claims against more than one defendant. Each party is assigned a share of fault. Defendants may be jointly responsible for financial losses, such as medical bills, while responsibility for losses such as pain and suffering is divided according to their shares of fault. Do school bus injury claims work the same as Metro Transit claims? Generally, yes. Both involve government entities covered by the Nebraska Political Subdivisions Tort Claims Act. The claim must identify the correct entity, whether that is the school district or the transit authority. It must also be filed with the person or office authorized to receive it under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-905. What damages can I recover after a bus accident in Omaha? You may recover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses covered by Nebraska personal injury law. Claims against government entities are subject to limits on recovery and the filing requirements of the Political Subdivisions Tort Claims Act. Speak With an Omaha Bus Accident Injury Attorney If you were injured on an Omaha city bus, school bus, or transit vehicle anywhere in Douglas County, contact Harris & Associates, P.C., L.L.O. for a free consultation. An Omaha bus accident lawyer can help you meet the filing requirements and protect your right to pursue a claim. Last reviewed: October 2026 This post was reviewed by James E. Harris, who has been licensed to practice law in Nebraska since 1986. This content provides general information and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed Nebraska attorney for advice about your situation.