Experienced Legal Representation in Dallas Bus Accident Claims
The Law Offices of Aaron A. Herbert, P.C. have a track record of excellence in handling lawsuits regarding bus accidents. With recognition from the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the State Bar of Texas, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the company’s attorneys have won millions of dollars in compensation for their clients. Buses cover tens of thousands of miles in Texas each year for public transportation, taking children to and from school each day and transporting people to vacation destinations. A bus accident can result in expensive and painful injuries for passengers and others on the road. When you need a Dallas bus accident lawyer, contact Aaron A. Herbert for a free consultation.
Causes of Bus Accidents
Bus drivers bear a special responsibility for the passengers in their care. For that reason, Texas requires bus drivers to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Texas that requires a more vigorous driving test.
While most bus drivers take safety very seriously, some drivers may grow careless or negligent in their duties. Distracted driving, including using a cell phone and texting while driving, are still significant factors in many bus accidents today.
Speeding is the leading cause of all accidents, and bus drivers are no exception. When a large, heavy bus is speeding, it has less time to respond to changes ahead and requires much more time to stop.
Failure to perform safe lane changes also contributes to many accidents. A bus driver must verify a much larger space is clear before performing a lane change. If a driver fails to take the reasonable, an accident can easily result.
In addition to the many ways a driver may contribute to a bus accident, the bus owner may cause accidents through poor maintenance. Bus owners are responsible for maintaining tires and brakes to prevent accidents, for example. When poor maintenance leads to a bus being unable to stop in time, an owner’s negligence is a cause of the accident.
Seeking Compensation for Bus Accidents
If a bus accident leaves you with injuries, you have the right to seek compensation. This compensation may include:
- Medical expenses including hospital bills, ambulance expenses, doctor bills, and more
- Lost wages due to missed time at work
- Pain and suffering
- Damage to personal property, including your car
To receive compensation after your bus accident, you must prove the bus driver or owner acted negligently and their negligence contributed to the accident.
Time Limit to File a Claim
In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit to collect compensation for your injury. Failure to file your claim in time can mean the court will dismiss your suit, even if it would otherwise merit compensation.
However, local municipalities own and operate many buses. This can be city bus transportation or a school bus operated by a local school district. In such cases, you often have significantly less time to file a claim. You must file a formal claim with the municipality operating the bus within six months of the date of the accident, or the court will likely reject your suit. In some municipalities, you may have even less time. To avoid confusion and missed filing dates, contact a Dallas bus accident attorney as soon as possible.
Call for a Free Consultation With a Dallas Bus Accident Lawyer Today
The Law Offices of Aaron A. Herbert, P.C., care about your rights and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve after a bus accident. Call us today to schedule your free, no obligation consultation. Put our Dallas bus accident lawyer to work on your case without adding to the financial strain you may be experiencing after your accident. We charge no fees up front, and you won’t owe a dime until we get you a settlement or win a verdict in your favor.