Bus Accident Lawyer in Harker Heights, TX
More bus accidents occur in Texas than you may realize. Citizens presume public transportation employs highly trained and competent drivers, but bus drivers are only human. Just like other drivers, they are prone to making errors behind the wheel. Bus accidents are traumatic for everyone involved, but victims may be able to obtain financial compensation for their medical, emotional, and financial damages.
TED SMITH LAW GROUP
Who Is Responsible For Bus Accidents?
When a bus accident occurs, placing fault can be difficult. It is the plaintiff’s job to prove that someone else was negligent in his or her duties and that this negligence caused the accident. Bus accidents—school buses, charter buses, party buses, tour buses, or public buses—not only involve the driver, but also the bus company, the manufacturer, the school district, and/or the county.
Despite having the added responsibility of multiple passengers, bus drivers drive distracted just like other drivers. Texting and driving, drowsy driving, and even DUIs all contribute to bus accidents in Texas. Human error causes buses to veer off the road, collide with other vehicles, and even run into pedestrians.
Many bus accidents are not due to human error but due to part malfunction or maintenance negligence. Texas law requires commercial and public buses to undergo checks to maintain the highest standards of safety. If a maintenance crew improperly services a bus, leading to brake failure or another dangerous issue, the courts can hold the crew responsible for the accident.
However, if a piece of equipment from the bus manufacturer failed and caused the accident, the courts can hold the manufacturing company responsible. If driver negligence caused the accident, the courts can hold the driver and potentially the bus company liable for damages. If, for example, the enterprise was negligent and hired a driver with a history of DUI, the accident may be partially the company’s fault.
TED SMITH LAW GROUP
How To File A Bus Accident Claim
If you have been involved in a bus accident involving personal injury, you may be at a loss as to how to pursue a lawsuit. The first step is to seek medical attention for your injuries. Our first priority is your personal health, and you need to visit a healthcare professional immediately after an accident.
Delaying a doctor’s visit looks bad during a case; it gives the jurors reason to believe your injuries were not severe enough for you to seek medical attention. You need a doctor to document your injuries. Save this documentation as a record of expenses you have paid for medical care relating to the accident. After a doctor has taken care of your injuries, seek legal representation.
Bus accident negligence claims involve complex factors such as company liability, federal and state public transportation laws, and negotiations with insurance companies. To file a claim properly, hire lawyers with experience handling bus accidents. When you work with a Killeen bus accident lawyer, he or she will handle communication with insurance companies and the courts.
Your lawyer will file the claim against the defendant and conduct an investigation into the case. The investigation involves gathering photographic evidence of the crash, interviewing witnesses, and collecting other relevant data. Often, we can settle a case without the need to go to court. If your case does go to court, you will not pay a cent unless you win.
TED SMITH LAW GROUP
Let Ted Smith Law Group, Handle Your Case
Ted Smith Law Group, knows how to successfully negotiate with insurance adjusters, the defendant’s lawyers, jurors, and everyone else involved in a bus accident case. When you team with Ted Smith, you are free from responsibility. Let us give you peace of mind. Contact us online or call (254) 690-5688 to speak with a local attorney with experience handling bus accident cases.
