Find a bus accident lawyer in Phoenix: the 180-day claim comes first
A claim over a Valley Metro or City of Phoenix bus is generally due within 180 days. Valley Metro claims go to Risk Management at 101 N. 1st Avenue, Suite 1300, or [email protected]. If there is no answer in 60 days, it counts as denied. Any lawsuit then must be filed within one year.
Last checked November 9, 2026 · Official sources (29)
Who do I file against after a Phoenix bus accident?
This is the hardest part, because the name on the bus is not always the legal owner. Valley Metro is a brand. The Regional Public Transportation Authority runs its bus service, and Valley Metro Rail, Inc. runs the light rail. The City of Phoenix is the largest member of that authority and also runs its own service, including local and commuter buses and Dial-a-Ride.
A private company is often behind the wheel. Phoenix renewed its contract with Transdev to run the West Transit Facility, and Transdev says it runs the West, North and South facilities. The North and South sites alone hold 347 buses.
| Bus or vehicle | Who to send it to | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Metro bus or light rail | Risk Management, 101 N. 1st Avenue, Suite 1300, Phoenix 85003, or [email protected] | 180 days |
| City of Phoenix bus or Dial-a-Ride | City Clerk, 200 W. Washington St., 15th Floor, on the Risk Management form | 180 days |
| Private contractor driving a public bus | The company and its insurer, along with the public agency | 2 years for a private party |
| Public school bus | The school district | 180 days |
| Private charter or tour bus | The company and its insurer | 2 years |
We could not find a public list that says which agency owns each route. When in doubt, a careful step is to send a claim to both Valley Metro and the City Clerk within 180 days. Have a lawyer confirm the right party, because a claim sent to the wrong one may not count.
What must a Phoenix bus notice of claim say?
- Write down the route number, bus number, date, time and direction.
- Report it to the operator or a Valley Metro employee, or call (602) 253-5000.
- Describe what happened and why the agency is responsible.
- State a specific amount the claim can be settled for, and the facts behind it.
- File a separate form for each person hurt on a City of Phoenix claim.
- Serve the person authorized to accept it, then keep proof of delivery.
- Count 60 days. Silence means denied.
Missing the 180 days generally ends the claim. A child or a person who is incompetent gets 180 days after that condition ends. Do not wait for bills to stop coming. You can estimate, and a lawyer can help you set a number with support.
Who pays for injuries on a Phoenix bus?
- A public agency, or its insurer or self-insurance program, usually pays for a public bus. A public agency does not pay punitive damages.
- The contractor or its insurer may pay if its driver or maintenance was at fault.
- Another driver's insurer pays if a car caused the crash. The Arizona minimum is $25,000 per person.
- Charter buses with 16 or more seats face a federal insurance floor of $5,000,000. Smaller ones have $1,500,000. Transit service providers can have different limits.
Bus operators in Arizona are held to reasonable care under all the circumstances, the same general standard that applies to anyone. Your own share of fault lowers an award, such as standing in a marked area while the bus moved.
What if I was hurt getting on or off a bus or light rail in Phoenix?
A fall at the door, a sudden stop or a closing door can all be claims. Report it right away. Rail riders use the Alert VM app, a security officer or the emergency call buttons. A bus stop or shelter may belong to a different party than the bus, so photograph it and ask who maintains it.
What proof can I get from a Phoenix bus?
Buses have cameras and logs, but agencies do not keep every record forever. Arizona public records are open to inspection, so a written request can ask for video, incident reports and maintenance files. Make it quickly. After a fatal crash, federal rules require transit drivers to be tested as soon as practicable. For the police report, use the Phoenix portal or call the records office at 602-534-1127.
Questions
How long do I have to file a claim against Valley Metro?
Generally 180 days. After that, you have one year from the accident to sue.
Can I sue a Phoenix city bus for pain and suffering?
Yes, it can be part of a claim, if you file on time. Punitive damages are not available against a public agency.
What if the driver worked for Transdev, not the city?
The company may be liable too. It may not be a public entity, so ask a lawyer about both deadlines and send claims in time.
I was a passenger and no one else was hurt. Does that matter?
No. A passenger can claim for a sudden stop or a fall. Report it the same day to create a record.
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- Arizona Revised Statutes 12-821.01, checked 2026-11-08. “within one hundred eighty days after the cause of action accrues”
- Valley Metro, Notice of Claim, checked 2026-11-08. “Valley Metro Attention: Risk Management 101 N. 1st Avenue, Suite 1300 Phoenix, AZ 85003”
- A.R.S. § 12-821, checked 2026-11-08. “shall be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues and not afterward”
- Arizona Revised Statutes 12-821.01, checked 2026-11-09. “is barred and no action may be maintained thereon”
- Arizona Revised Statutes 12-821.01, checked 2026-11-09. “The claim shall also contain a specific amount for which the claim can be settled and the facts supporting that amount.”
- Valley Metro, Safety, checked 2026-11-08. “On buses, report issues to the operator or a Valley Metro employee, or contact Customer Service at (602) 253-5000”
- Valley Metro, Notice of Claim, checked 2026-11-08. “Please note, Valley Metro is a brand name only. Valley Metro Rail, Inc. operates light rail service.”
- City of Phoenix, Public Transit Department, checked 2026-11-09. “The Phoenix Public Transit Department is also the largest member of the Valley Metro/Regional Public Transportation Authority”
- City of Phoenix, Public Transit Department, checked 2026-11-09. “local and commuter buses to Dial-A-Ride services for senior citizens and individuals with special needs”
- City of Phoenix Public Transit, En Route Summer 2025, checked 2026-11-09. “The City of Phoenix has renewed its contract with Transdev to continue operating out of the West Transit facility.”
- Transdev, The City of Phoenix, Arizona, checked 2026-11-09. “Today, Transdev operates the Phoenix Transit West, North, and South facilities as well as the Operations Control Center.”
- City of Phoenix, Council report, April 2026, checked 2026-11-09. “Together, these facilities currently support a combined fleet of 347 buses”
- phoenix.gov, checked 2026-11-08. “a copy of the claim form to: City of Phoenix City Clerk Department 200 W. Washington Street, 15th Floor Phoenix, AZ 85003”
- phoenix.gov, checked 2026-11-08. “Be filed with the City Clerk Department within 180 days after the cause of action accrues,”
- A.R.S. § 12-542, checked 2026-11-08. “within two years after the cause of action accrues”
- Arizona Revised Statutes 12-821.01, checked 2026-11-09. “is deemed denied sixty days after the filing of the claim”
- Arizona Revised Statutes 12-821.01, checked 2026-11-09. “a minor or an insane or incompetent person may file a claim within one hundred eighty days after the disability ceases”
- Arizona Revised Statutes 12-820.04, checked 2026-11-09. “Neither a public entity nor a public employee acting within the scope of his employment is liable for punitive or exemplary damages.”
- A.R.S. § 28-4009(A)(2)(b), checked 2026-11-08. “(i) $25,000 because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident. (ii) Subject to the limit for one person, $50,000 because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident. (iii) $15,000 because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident.”
- 49 CFR 387.33, checked 2026-11-09. “seating capacity of 16 passengers or more, including the driver $5,000,000”
- 49 CFR 387.33, checked 2026-11-09. “seating capacity of 15 passengers or less, including the driver 1,500,000”
- 49 CFR 387.33, checked 2026-11-09. “Limits applicable to transit service providers”
- Nunez v. Professional Transit Management of Tucson (Ariz. 2012), checked 2026-11-09. “We hold that the general negligence standard- reasonable care under all the circumstances - applies.”
- Arizona Revised Statutes 12-2505, checked 2026-11-09. “the full damages shall be reduced in proportion to the relative degree of the claimant's fault”
- Valley Metro, Safety, checked 2026-11-08. “On rail, riders can use the Alert VM app, speak with a security officer or Customer Experience Representative, or use emergency call buttons on trains or at stations”
- Arizona Revised Statutes 39-121, checked 2026-11-09. “Public records and other matters in the custody of any officer shall be open to inspection by any person at all times during office hours.”
- 49 CFR 655.44, checked 2026-11-09. “As soon as practicable following an accident involving the loss of human life, an employer shall conduct drug and alcohol tests”
- phoenix.gov, checked 2026-11-08. “The following 10 options are available on the portal to submit Public Record requests:”
- phoenix.gov, checked 2026-11-08. “Public Record and Services Bureau 100 W. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ 85003”