Did your children get hurt in a crash while riding the school bus? As the victim of this type of collision, you might be able to take legal action and pursue compensation on behalf of your child. It all starts with calling a bus accident lawyer in Grand Prairie as soon as possible.
Founded in 2018, The Texas Law Dog has what it takes to serve as your school bus accident lawyer in Grand Prairie. As a hometown law firm serving the Texas community, we understand how hard this experience can be, but we’ll be in your corner the entire time.
School Bus Accident Claims Can Involve Several Responsible Parties
One of the first questions many people ask after a school bus accident is, “Who is responsible?” The answer depends on how the accident happened and who was involved. All of these people and parties could potentially be found legally responsible:
- The school bus driver
- Another motorist
- A private transportation company
- The public school district
Texas negligence law generally focuses on whether someone owed a duty of reasonable care, failed to meet that duty, and caused another person’s injuries as a result. Your Grand Prairie personal injury lawyer can investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
From there, a Grand Prairie school bus accident lawyer can determine which legal claims fit the facts. That investigation is important because the person who caused the physical impact is not necessarily the only party worth examining.
A school bus accident can involve questions about the driver’s conduct, the operation of the bus, or the actions of another driver on the road. With that in mind, this is the type of evidence your lawyer can look at:
- Police reports and crash documentation
- Statements from passengers, witnesses, and other drivers
- School bus video or other available recordings
- Driver records and employment information
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance records
- Medical records and bills
- Photographs of the accident scene and vehicles
- Information about the route, stop, or transportation circumstances involved
The purpose is not simply to assign blame. The evidence needs to establish how the accident occurred and connect that conduct to the injuries and losses being claimed.
Texas Law Treats Public School Districts Differently
School bus injury claims are more legally involved when a public school district either owns or operates the bus. Public school districts are governmental entities, which means governmental immunity can affect an injury claim.
Texas law provides an important exception through the Texas Tort Claims Act. A governmental unit can be liable for personal injury or death caused by the negligence of an employee acting within the scope of employment.
This is possible if the injury arises from the operation or use of a motor-driven vehicle. In that case, the employee would be held personally liable under Texas law. Texas law also specifically limits the application of the Texas Tort Claims Act to school districts.
Grand Prairie School Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
Private School Buses Follow a Different Legal Path
Some schools and transportation providers use private companies to transport students. When a private company operates the bus, governmental immunity generally is not the issue in the same way it is for a public school district.
Instead, the claim can involve ordinary negligence principles and the insurance coverage available to the responsible party. This is what your school bus accident lawyers in Grand Prairie can do for you:
- Investigate the relationship between the school and the transportation company
- Determine who employed the driver
- Review the applicable insurance policies
- Identify the parties that should be included in a claim
This distinction can have a significant impact on how an injury claim proceeds. A family should not have to figure out the corporate structure of a transportation provider, and that is part of the legal work an attorney can handle on your behalf.
Deadlines Can Affect Your Right to Seek Compensation
Texas generally gives a person two years to file a lawsuit for personal injury, according to Section 16.003 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. The statute also provides a two-year period for an action involving injury resulting in death.
Governmental claims require additional attention because the Texas Tort Claims Act contains its own notice requirements. The six-month governmental notice period discussed above is separate from the general two-year personal injury limitations period.
There can also be special rules involving minors and other circumstances. Because the correct deadline depends on the facts and parties involved, it’s important to call a school bus accident lawyer in Grand Prairie for help as soon as possible.
Call The Texas Law Dog for Help From School Bus Accident Attorneys in Grand Prairie
Contact The Texas Law Dog to set up a time to speak with lawyers at our law firm. You will have the opportunity to explain what happened, ask us questions, and learn how an attorney can assist with your situation.
Our Grand Prairie school bus accident attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning our firm handles qualifying personal injury cases without requiring our clients to pay any upfront fees. We can also travel to those who have difficulty getting to our office.
We bring an insurance-industry background to personal injury representation. Our experience gives us insight into how insurers approach claims and assess the information presented to them. To learn more about what we can do for you, contact The Texas Law Dog ASAP.
