Bus Accident in Dallas, TX

Dallas Bus Accident Lawyer

Have You Been Injured in a Bus Crash?

Buses are a common site across Texas. Hundreds of thousands of passengers use buses annually to get from place to place. Some buses provide 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 residents are boarding buses in large numbers each year and that is a pattern that is expected to continue in the coming years.

The majority of these citizens travel safely while aboard these buses but unfortunately, many sustain injuries every year in Texas bus accidents. Commonly these injuries are very serious, in part because passengers do not wear seat belts while riding on most buses. With several bus companies servicing Dallas and Texas as a whole, it may not be shocking that these bus accidents account for numerous injuries annually and unfortunately some may result in death. If you suffer an injury, make sure to speak with a Dallas bus crash attorney ASAP.

What are some of the common reasons for bus accidents?

Bus drivers face many of the same challenges as any driver, in addition to a few other unique problems. Some common causes of bus accidents involve:

• Driver distraction-- Drivers who 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-- An improperly maintained bus can crash due to a failing part.
• Insufficient training-- Too often, drivers do not have proper training on the safest practices for operating a bus. The absence of training or poor training can cause a driver mistake that can result in an accident.

What injuries are common in bus crashes?

Just like any type of accident on Dallas streets, the injuries from a bus accident might partially depend on the speed of travel and the size of the other vehicle or vehicles in the crash.

The most prevalent injuries include:

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

What Legal Rights are Available to Bus Accident Victims?

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

At Fault Third Parties

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

At Fault Bus Driver

Alternatively, if the collision is due to a negligent bus driver and you were either a bus passenger or in another vehicle, you may 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 collision 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
• anybody that performed negligent maintenance while servicing the bus

Any bus driver who is injured in an accident 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. Typically the more vehicles involved in the accident, the more complex the claim( s). This is a reason that when choosing a bus accident lawyer in Dallas, 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. But there are a few important things that you need to do before leaving the scene.

• Call 911
• Get witness information
• Seek medical care
• Contact a bus crash lawyer

How much can I recoup financially after a bus crash?

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

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

Families who have lost a loved one in a Dallas bus accident can also collect for any care their loved one received prior to passing away in addition to compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, and various other damages. Speak with a knowledgeable Dallas bus accident lawyer to learn all of your options.

Have you been injured in a Dallas Bus Accident?

The Dallas bus accident lawyers at Dunk Law Firm will strive 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 look to recover present and future expenses when defending a crash victim.

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