Liability in Grapevine Bus Accident Cases

A vital aspect of any bus accident case is determining who is at fault. That said, various parties could be liable for these collisions, and there are different ways to hold them financially accountable.

These legal issues are complex, but you do not have to face them alone. An experienced public transportation crash attorney could advise you on liability in Grapevine bus accident cases and work to prove that the other party’s recklessness caused the collision.

Proving Negligence after a Bus Accident

Proving liability in a public transportation crash requires demonstrating a legal standard known as negligence, which applies to most personal injury cases in Grapevine. Generally, a person is only responsible for another individual’s injuries if their careless or reckless actions resulted in the victim’s injuries. The plaintiff must meet the four elements of negligence to recover compensation.

Duty of Care

The first element of negligence is known as the duty of care. To have a viable negligence claim, the plaintiff must have been owed a duty of care from the defendant, a concept that the court rarely disputes in bus collisions. Furthermore, under law, commercial vehicle operators owe passengers and other motorists a significant duty to keep them safe.

Breach

The second aspect of negligence is a breach of the duty of care. Once this duty is established, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant took steps that breached the obligation. Steps could involve careless or reckless actions that lead to a bus collision. Common examples of a breach of duty of care include speeding, failing to yield, or driving a bus under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Causation

The third necessary element of negligence that the plaintiff must prove is causation or the link between the defendant’s breach and the victim’s injuries. Causation is an essential aspect of these cases, as the defendant can only face liability for the harm they cause through their actions.

Damages

Finally, the claimant must identify their damages. The court can award financial compensation following a bus accident injury, but only if the victim sustained compensable damages. These losses could include lost wages, vehicle repairs, or medical costs.

Evidence That Could Help Prove Liability for a Bus Crash

Beyond claiming that another party was liable for the bus collision, the plaintiff and their attorney in Grapevine must provide evidence of negligence, which can take many forms. In some cases, the dashboard camera of another vehicle or security camera from a nearby building captures the accident as it happens. A legal representative could collect this footage.

Witness testimony is also valuable when proving liability for public transportation accidents. In some cases, the jury will take the word of an independent witness over concrete evidence. Other evidence that could be useful in these cases includes expert witness testimony or photographs of the scene.

Speak With an Attorney in Grapevine About Liability in Bus Accident Cases

Bus accidents can result in life-changing injuries, but the right legal representative could help you secure the resources you need to live comfortably. When another person is at fault for your bus accident, it is reasonable to hold them accountable. A dedicated lawyer could discuss this process with you. Reach out to an attorney right away to discuss liability in Grapevine bus accident cases.