Irving Bus Accident Lawyer
Whether a bus crash involves a school bus, charter bus, or public bus, it can be a devastating accident that has the potential to injure dozens of people. Fortunately, personal injuries and property damage both may be recoverable through civil litigation.
If you or a loved one suffered catastrophic injuries in a public transit vehicle collision, you may want to contact an Irving bus accident lawyer for advice about your legal options. With the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, you may be able to hold negligent persons and businesses responsible for their actions.
Irving Bus Accidents
Bus accidents may involve multiple motor vehicles and injuries to numerous people. As a result, bus crash scenes can be highly chaotic, making it hard to determine the origin or cause of the accident.
Various situations may lead to bus collisions, but many such incidents involve driver negligence from the bus driver, drivers of other motor vehicles, or both. Some of the most common causes of bus accidents include:
- Speeding, failing to follow traffic signs or signals, or driving recklessly
- Distraction by cell phones, passengers, music, eating, or other reasons
- Impairment by alcohol or drugs
- Inexperience or lack of training to drive buses or other large commercial vehicles
An Irving attorney may be able to assist injured parties with determining where legal negligence played a role in causing their bus crash.
Liability in Bus Accident Claims
Parties other than bus or motor vehicle drivers may also be liable for bus accidents. For example, bus companies or governmental entities that operate buses may bear civil liability if they failed to properly screen, train, or supervise a driver who subsequently caused a wreck. They could also be liable if they fail to adequately inspect and maintain buses for mechanical failures that could lead to accidents.
Defective mechanical components can also contribute to bus accidents. If parts manufacturers or other companies have placed faulty products on the market, or if a mechanic improperly installed a part or failed to appropriately maintain it, they too may share liability for any accidents stemming from that component.
Laws and Regulations Governing Bus Accidents
As an experienced bus accident lawyer in Irving could elaborate upon further, bus drivers are generally subject to higher standards than drivers of other motor vehicles in many respects. For example, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration establishes standards for drivers of common carriers concerning work hours, safety precautions, inspections and maintenance, and more. School bus drivers also must comply with various training, licensing, and safety requirements.
If drivers violate any applicable state or federal laws or regulations, those violations can support a civil claim based on negligence. When drivers commit these violations, their employers — whether private charter bus companies, school districts, or municipalities — can also be liable. In short, if the drivers were acting negligently in the regular course of their employment, their employers might be responsible for their actions.
Call an Irving Bus Accident Attorney for Guidance
Regardless of the cause of your bus accident, you may suffer from a variety of economic and non-economic damages, including medical bills, damage to vehicles, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Working with an Irving bus accident lawyer may be the most effective means of requesting and obtaining compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim.
Bus accident injuries can be catastrophic and may lead to permanent impairments, but legal counsel may be able to assist you in recovering for some or all of your losses. Call today to schedule an initial consultation.