Flagstaff’s public buses, Mountain Line, are run by the Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority. That name is not just branding. Arizona law makes an intergovernmental public transportation authority a political subdivision of the state (A.R.S. § 28-9103), and that puts any injury claim against it under the rules for public entities. The headline rule: a written notice of claim within 180 days.
Short answer: after a Flagstaff bus accident, who owns the bus decides the process. A claim against Mountain Line, or another public entity, starts with a notice of claim under A.R.S. § 12-821.01 within 180 days, and a lawsuit within one year. A claim against a private tour company or intercity coach line follows ordinary Arizona injury law with a two-year deadline, and interstate passenger carriers must carry federal minimum liability coverage of 5 million dollars for vehicles that seat 16 or more.
If the bus was a Mountain Line bus, start counting today. The 180-day notice of claim must state the facts and a specific dollar amount that would settle the claim, and a late notice bars the claim. Sending a form or making a call does not stop or pause any deadline.
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Who you were in the crash changes the claim
Bus crashes hurt people in different positions, and each one has a slightly different claim.
- Bus passenger. You were riding. Your claim runs against whoever caused the crash: the bus operator, another driver, or both. A passenger has little control over how a crash happens, but the insurer may still look for fault, for example if you were standing or moving when the bus braked.
- Driver or passenger in another vehicle. The bus and your car collided. Fault is decided by the traffic rules, the same as any crash; our page on left-turn and T-bone crashes covers the rules that come up at intersections.
- Pedestrian or cyclist. Buses make wide turns and stop at curbs. See our pages on pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents.
Claims against Mountain Line and other public buses
The chain of statutes is short. Section 28-9103 makes an intergovernmental public transportation authority a political subdivision. Section 12-820 defines a “public entity” to include political subdivisions. And § 12-821.01 says anyone with a claim against a public entity or public employee must file a notice of claim:
- within 180 days after the cause of action accrues, which is when you know or should know of the injury and its cause;
- with the person authorized to accept service for that entity;
- containing facts sufficient for the entity to understand the basis of liability;
- and stating a specific amount for which the claim can be settled, with the facts supporting that amount.
The entity has 60 days to respond; if it does not deny the claim in writing sooner, the claim is treated as denied after 60 days. The lawsuit must then be filed within one year of the date the claim accrued, under § 12-821. Minors get extra time under § 12-821.01(D). If a public school bus or another government vehicle was involved, ask early whether these same public-entity rules apply. Our page on claims against a city, county or the state goes through the notice step by step.
Tour buses, shuttles and intercity coaches
Private bus companies are not public entities, so the ordinary rules apply. The lawsuit deadline is two years under A.R.S. § 12-542, and Arizona’s comparative fault law, § 12-2505, reduces a recovery by any share of fault assigned to you rather than barring it.
Insurance is the big difference from a car crash. Federal rules set minimum financial responsibility for for-hire motor carriers of passengers operating in interstate or foreign commerce. Under 49 CFR 387.33T:
| Vehicle seating capacity, including the driver | Federal minimum |
|---|---|
| 16 passengers or more | $5,000,000 |
| 15 passengers or fewer | $1,500,000 |
Those figures apply to carriers in interstate commerce. Whether a particular tour van or shuttle falls under them depends on its operations, which is something a lawyer checks early. Compare that with Arizona’s car minimum of 25,000 dollars per person under A.R.S. § 28-4009, and it is clear why identifying the carrier matters.
When more than one party shares the blame
A bus crash can involve more than two vehicles: a car that cut in front of the bus, the bus that braked hard, the driver behind. Arizona liability is several, not joint, under A.R.S. § 12-2506. Each defendant pays only its own percentage of fault, and the jury can assign fault to people who are not even in the lawsuit. In practice that means every party who may share fault needs to be identified and, where the deadlines require it, put on notice. Missing the 180-day notice for a public bus while pursuing only the car driver can leave part of the claim uncollectable.
What helps a bus claim
- The route, bus or vehicle number, and the time. Transit and coach companies keep records by route and run.
- Video. Buses and stops may have cameras. Recordings can be overwritten, so ask a lawyer about a written request to preserve them right away.
- Other passengers. Get names and phone numbers while you can.
- The crash report. See our guide to getting a Flagstaff accident report.
- Medical treatment the same day, and records of every visit after. Our page on who pays the medical bills explains liens and health insurance.
What to do this week
- Find out who owns the bus. Mountain Line, a school district, a tour company or an intercity carrier. That one fact decides the deadline.
- If it is a public bus, mark 180 days from the crash on your calendar now.
- Write down the route, stop, time and seat or position you were in.
- Keep your ticket, pass or booking confirmation.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the bus company’s insurer before you get advice.
- Photograph your injuries and keep a short daily note of pain and missed work.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a claim against Mountain Line?
Mountain Line is run by an intergovernmental public transportation authority, which Arizona law treats as a political subdivision. A notice of claim is due within 180 days under A.R.S. 12-821.01, and a lawsuit within one year.
What must a notice of claim include?
Facts sufficient for the public entity to understand the basis of liability, and a specific amount for which the claim can be settled, with the facts supporting that amount. It is filed with the person authorized to accept service for the entity.
What if Mountain Line does not answer my claim?
Under A.R.S. 12-821.01, a claim is treated as denied 60 days after it is filed unless the entity denies it in writing sooner. The one-year lawsuit deadline keeps running.
How much insurance does a tour bus have to carry?
For-hire passenger carriers in interstate commerce must carry at least 5 million dollars for vehicles seating 16 or more and 1.5 million dollars for vehicles seating 15 or fewer, under federal rule 49 CFR 387.33T.
Can I claim if I was a passenger and the other driver caused the crash?
Yes. A passenger can claim against whoever caused the crash, including another driver. If the bus operator and another driver both share fault, each pays its own share under Arizona’s several liability rule.
How long do I have after a private tour bus crash?
Two years to file a lawsuit under A.R.S. 12-542, unless an exception applies. Claims against public entities have the shorter 180-day notice and one-year lawsuit deadlines.
Related guides
Hurt on or by a bus? Free and confidential
The deadline depends on who owns the bus. We’ll connect you with an independent licensed Arizona attorney who handles crash claims in Coconino County.
Sources & Corrections
Primary sources checked for this page on October 24, 2026:
- A.R.S. § 28-9103, Intergovernmental public transportation authority is a political subdivision
- A.R.S. § 12-820, Definition of public entity
- A.R.S. § 12-821.01, Notice of claim
- A.R.S. § 12-821, One-year limit
- A.R.S. § 12-542, Two-year limit
- A.R.S. § 12-2506, Several liability
- 49 CFR Part 387, Minimum financial responsibility (§ 387.33T)
- Mountain Line, operated by the Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority
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Not legal advice. The Flagstaff Legal Resource Center is an independent referral service operated by Wilder West Assets LLC, not a law firm. This page explains general Arizona law to help you prepare to talk with a lawyer. Laws change, and how they apply depends on your facts. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Verify any attorney’s credentials through the State Bar of Arizona.