Bus Accident in Austin, TX

Austin Bus Accident Attorney

Have You Been Hurt in a Bus Crash?

Buses are a common site throughout Texas. Hundreds of thousands of passengers use buses annually to travel from place to place. Some buses offer local transit around a city and service commercial districts, while others use buses as their way to commute to and from work. Still others decide to ride on a bus as they travel out of state to see loved ones. Whatever the reason, Texas citizens are boarding buses in large numbers each year and that is a pattern that is expected to continue in the coming decades.

Most of these residents travel safely while aboard these buses but unfortunately, many sustain injuries each year in Texas bus accidents. Commonly these injuries are very severe, in part because passengers do not use seat belts while riding on most buses. With several bus companies servicing Austin and Texas in its entirety, it may not be surprising that these bus crashes account for many injuries annually and unfortunately some may result in death. If you suffer an injury, make sure to speak with an Austin bus crash lawyer ASAP.

What are some of the common causes of bus crashes?

Bus drivers face many of the same challenges as any driver, plus some other unique issues. Some common causes of bus crashes involve:

• Driver distraction-- Motorists that pay more attention to their phones or various other electronic devices are much more prone to accidents. Due to the amount of passengers on buses, bus drivers also are more susceptible to passenger distractions than somebody operating a car.
• Driver fatigue-- Similar to a truck driver, bus drivers have a schedule to meet. This commonly means they work long hours without taking sufficient breaks. The loud atmosphere of a bus can also wear on a driver.
• Speeding-- To make their scheduled stops, drivers might ignore speed limits or road conditions due to inclement weather.
• Vehicle maintenance-- A poorly maintained bus can crash due to a failing component.
• Insufficient training-- Too often, drivers do not have proper training on the safest practices for operating a bus. The absence of training or inadequate training can lead to a driver mistake that can result in an accident.

What injuries are common in bus accidents?

As with any type of collision on Austin streets, the injuries from a bus accident may partially depend on the speed of travel and the size of the other vehicle or vehicles in the crash.

The most common injuries consist of:

• Fractures (broken bones) that require surgical repair
• Head and brain injuries
• Back & neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Scars and lacerations
• Wrongful Death

What legal rights are available to a bus crash victim?

As a bus crash victim, the law might offer you one or more civil claims to pursue. The claims available will depend on the circumstances of a specific crash and who is at fault in the accident.

At Fault Third Parties

If another motorist causes an accident with a bus while you are an occupant on that bus, you may have a claim against the other driver for your injuries. If the other motorist does not have sufficient insurance coverage available for all of the injuries suffered in the accident or if the other driver has no insurance available at all, you may also have a right to bring an uninsured or underinsured case against your own insurance provider or the bus company itself, if there is UM coverage available.

At Fault Bus Driver

On the other hand, if the crash is due to a negligent bus driver and you were either a bus passenger or in another vehicle, you might have a claim against the bus driver and the bus company. This holds true even if the bus owner is a municipality, like a city bus used for public transportation.

Safety Defects on a Bus

Lastly, if the crash is caused by some defect in the bus itself and not through actions of any drivers, you might have a claim against the:

• manufacturer of the bus
• seller of the bus
• owner/operator of the bus
• anyone that performed negligent maintenance while servicing the bus

Any bus driver who is hurt in a collision may also have a claim for worker's compensation for their injuries.

The possibility of so many claims makes a bus accident case complicated and complex. Often the more vehicles involved in the crash, the more complicated the claim( s). This is a reason that when picking a bus accident attorney in Austin, you want to pick one with experience prosecuting personal injury cases.

What do I do after I'm involved in a bus accident?

You may be rattled and in a state of shock after being involved in a bus crash. However there are a few important things that you should do before leaving the scene.

• Call 911
• Get witness information
• Seek medical care
• Consult with a bus accident attorney

How much can I recover financially after a bus accident?

The amount of money you may receive after a bus crash will depend a lot on the seriousness of your injuries. Generally, you may recoup the costs of your:

• medical bills
• lost income
• pain and suffering
• loss of companionship
• lost earning ability
• damages caused by long-term disability or disfigurement

Families who have lost a loved one in a Austin bus crash may also collect for any treatment their loved one received prior to passing away in addition to compensation for funeral and burial costs, loss of companionship, and other damages. Talk to an expert Austin bus crash attorney to learn all of your options.

Have you been injured in an Austin bus accident?

The Austin bus accident lawyers at Dunk Law Firm will work to help you obtain the financial recovery that you are entitled to. Bus accident damages might consist of: medical expenses, disfigurement, pain and suffering, loss of normal life, loss of income, and much more. We also seek to recover present and future costs when representing an accident victim.