Getting on a bus should not feel like you are at risk of an accident, but bus-related accidents are not uncommon. They can also create serious injury, financial loss, and emotional impact for victims. Turn to a Richardson bus accident lawyer from The Texas Law Dog to find out what your rights are to recovering fair damages after you were hurt.
As a native Texan, our founding attorney, Matthew E. Aulsbrook, has built his law firm on loyalty, compassion, and strong advocacy. Our Richardson personal injury lawyer will fight for your rights as an accident victim so you can focus on recovery. We don’t just bark. We bite
Determining Fault in a Bus Accident
Bus accidents happen in numerous ways, and often they are rather complex and involve multiple at-fault parties. When you speak to a bus accident attorney in Richardson, we will fully investigate your case and gather all the evidence possible to ensure we know all parties at fault. Here are some examples based on our experience:
- Bus companies: If a private company owns the bus and provides the service, it can be at fault for the actions of its drivers.
- Government entities: City – or county-owned buses may be the responsibility of the government entity. For example, the city of Dallas manages the DART line.
- Tour bus companies: In situations where a tour bus company owns the bus, they may be held responsible.
- Independent contractors: In situations where the bus driver is an independent contractor rather than an employee, that driver could be responsible for the incident.
- School districts: If a school bus caused your injuries and losses, the school district could be responsible for paying for your losses.
To determine fault, your attorney will investigate all details about your case and gather evidence in multiple ways. This may include any bus logs, witness statements, and dash camera footage. Then, using that information, the Richardson car accident lawyer at The Texas Law Dog can determine what caused the accident so we can fight for fair compensation.
Why Bus Accidents Happen in Richardson
Understanding the cause of the bus accident helps our team assign fault under the law. Any of the above parties could be at fault, or there could be others to blame. In every situation, it is up to your attorney to build a strong claim that identifies all responsible parties. Some examples of the common causes we see in bus accidents include:
- Tired drivers
- Distracted drivers, sometimes by other parties on the bus
- Impaired driving
- Non-maintained buses
- Inexperience or lack of skill, such as failing to make a wide turn safely
- Uneven distribution of weight causing a tip-over
- Reckless driving, including speeding or illegal passing
With the guidance of our legal team, we will show who is responsible and why. Even if you believe you know all of the details about your case and claim, chances are good that there is additional information that could amplify your case results by assigning fault to other parties. Let us take a closer look to find out.
Richardson Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
Serious Injuries in Bus Accidents
If you have medical injuries that result in going to the emergency room or seeing a doctor, expect our legal team to be of service to you. It is critical to have legal guidance in situations of serious injury, including any of the injuries listed below. These injuries often have long and complicated recovery processes that become very expensive:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries with or without paralysis
- Lacerations that damage muscles or nerves
- Crush syndrome
- Emotional trauma and the onset of anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder
- Complex fractures
- Disfigurement
- Paralysis
- Loss of vision
- Severe whiplash
- Amputation or loss of limb
With our guidance, we will learn what your injuries are from your doctor and then clarify the severity and impact those injuries have on your daily life and on your future. If you will maintain ongoing injuries and losses, it is essential to have a robust claim that provides you with the financial means to pay for those losses. That includes losses you may not know exist at this point.
Statute of Limitations in Texas
Like most personal injury claims, Texas law provides victims with the right to pursue a lawsuit against at-fault parties. This often applies when reaching a settlement with the insurance company is just not possible. However, you must understand the timeline requirements you face.
Specifically, per Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003(a), a bus accident victim has two years from the date the incident took place to pursue legal action in a court of law. If you wait beyond this point, the court will not hear your case, and you cannot recover damages. If you believe this time is approaching, do not wait to contact us.
Keep in mind, this is the timeline for filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party. Most of the time, we want to get the bus company to settle your claim out of court, where it can be settled and paid out faster and typically for less. However, if they do not settle fairly, expect our legal team to work aggressively to build your case and file a lawsuit.
What Damages You May Be Able to Recover in a Bus Accident
By working with a bus accident lawyer in Richardson, you gain our attorneys’ knowledge to exhaust all your losses. This is far more than just your medical bills, in most cases, though the burden of proving these losses and their value is on your shoulders. Some examples of the damages many clients recover include:
- Medical costs related to emergency and immediate care provided
- Ongoing medical costs, including expected future medical needs and costs
- Lost wages from being unable to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of life
Do not settle until you are confident you have a full claim that includes all of your losses. Trust us to be there for you. We have helped our clients recover millions of dollars in losses, and we will fight for you as well. Read our FAQs today to learn more about bus accidents.
Set Up a Free Consultation with a Richardson Bus Accident Attorney Now
At The Texas Law Dog, our only priority is helping you recover fairly from your bus accident. You gain peace of mind when you trust our Richardson bus accident lawyer with your claim. Schedule a free consultation now.
