Austin Bus Accident Lawyers

How Common Are Bus Accidents in Austin?

Capital Metro runs the bus system in Austin. Studies show that CapMetro buses are involved in about 500 accidents per year. Across the State of Texas, 16 fatal bus accidents were reported in 2021. A sum total of 14 of those crashes happened in urban areas like Austin.

Texas also keeps track of the number of school bus accidents that happen in the state. According to the Texas Education Agency Bus Accident Reporting System (BARS), 943 school bus accidents occurred during the 2020-2021 school year. Of those, 189 people were injured, and at least one student was killed.

It’s important to remember that many schools were closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, that means that the number of school bus accidents reported was much lower than in prior years. For example, during the 2018-2019 school year, 1,978 school bus accidents were reported across the State of Texas.

Our lawyers handle all types of bus accident cases in Austin, including those involving:

• MetroBus
• MetroExpress
• MetroRapid
• Round Rock buses
• School buses
• Greyhound buses
• Megabuses
• Flixbus
• Charter buses
• Shuttle buses

At FVF Law, we know that every case is unique. We’ll sit down, listen to your story and develop a strategy to protect your legal rights.

What Is My Austin Bus Accident Case Worth?

The short answer is that every personal injury case is different.

Still, there are some factors that are relevant in every case, including:

• The severity of your injuries
• The cost of your medical treatment
• Whether you’ll require ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, or in-home assistance
• Your lost wages during recovery
• How the injury will impact your future work and quality of life
• The strength of your negligence claim
• The identity of the responsible parties

There’s no specific formula that can be used to determine how much your personal injury claim is worth. Instead, our lawyers will take a custom-tailored approach to determine your case value.

What Types of Damages Are Available to Bus Accident Victims?

Texas personal injury laws allow victims to recover compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages.

If you were injured, you could receive compensation for:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning potential
• Physical therapy
• Nursing care
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement
• Scarring
• Depression
• PTSD
• Loss of consortium

Our lawyers can help you identify all of the damages you’ve suffered. Give us a quick call today to learn more about how we can help if you’ve sustained injuries in a bus accident.

Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Bus Accident in Texas?

Texas follows a modified comparative negligence law. You can recover partial compensation as long as you aren’t 51% or more responsible for the accident. Once your share of fault exceeds or is equal to 51%, you lose your right to seek compensation.

We’ll Help You Recover Compensation for All of Your Bus Accident Injuries

Bus accident claims can be particularly complex. Bus crashes often result in injuries to more than one passenger. Some of those injuries can be more severe than typical car accident injuries because bus passengers often don’t have seatbelts.

At FVF Law, we often represent bus accident victims who have sustained:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Head and neck injuries
• Concussions
• Back injuries
• Nerve damage
• Chest injuries
• Organ damage
• Crushing injuries
• Burn injuries
• Loss of limbs
• Paralysis
• Catastrophic injuries
• Wrongful death of a loved one

Our lawyers can help you show the insurance companies how these injuries have impacted your life. To learn more about how we can help with your case, call our law firm in Austin for a free case evaluation today.

What Causes Most Bus Accidents in Austin, Texas?

Bus drivers are responsible for keeping dozens of passengers safe at the same time. Still, bus drivers are only human. A bus operates like any other vehicle–and there’s always the possibility that an accident will happen.

Many of these accidents happen because of driver error.

Some of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents involving buses include:

• Distracted driving
• Inexperienced bus drivers
• Mechanical failures
• Failure to inspect and maintain the bus
• Failure to yield the right-of-way to other motorists, pedestrians, or bicyclists
• Failure to check the vehicle’s blind spots
• Failure to account for longer stopping times
• Tailgating, speeding, and other aggressive driving behaviors
• Dangerous lane changes
• Unsafe turns
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Drunk driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs
• Hazardous road conditions
• Poor visibility
• Defects in the vehicle or the vehicle’s safety equipment
• Negligent hiring practices

Bus companies have a duty to make sure their buses are maintained in a safe condition. They also have a duty to hire qualified, experienced drivers.

If you were injured in a crash, contact our Austin bus accident attorneys for a free case review today. We can help you determine who was responsible for the accident and help you recover the compensation you need.

How Do I Prove Negligence After a Bus Accident in Texas?

While some cases are based on strict liability, negligence is the legal basis for most bus accident claims.

To prove negligence, the victim must establish:

• The at-fault party’s legal duty of care
• A breach of duty
• Causation
• Damages

Bus drivers and bus companies are subject to a heightened duty of care in the State of Texas. As common carriers, they’re required to exercise a higher level of caution when transporting passengers across the city.

You’ll also have to identify the parties who are legally responsible for paying compensation after an accident. Multiple parties can share liability under Texas shared fault laws.

Examples of responsible parties may include:

• The bus driver
• Private bus companies
• CapMetro or other government transit agencies
• Third-party drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians
• Manufacturers of defective vehicles, tires, brakes, or other safety equipment
• Bus mechanics
• Companies responsible for bus inspection and maintenance

Remember, even if the bus driver caused the accident, someone else might be liable for your damages under employment law theories. Our lawyers in Austin can help you hold all responsible parties accountable.

How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Bus Accident in Texas?

Every state limits the time you have to take legal action after an injury. Under Texas law, the statute of limitations is two years for most accident victims. If you don’t file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the accident, you lose your right to seek damages.

However, the deadline in a bus accident case might be different. If a public transportation authority is responsible, you’ll have to act much more quickly. If you were injured in a bus accident, contact our lawyers right away so that we can take action to preserve your right to compensation.

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Contact an Austin Bus Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Your life can quickly be turned upside down after a serious injury. Still, it won’t always be easy to get compensation from the responsible parties. Our team at FVF Law is here to stand up and protect your rights. Just call for a free consultation with an experienced Austin bus accident lawyer today.

Our personal injury law firm in Austin, TX, also provides:

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• Bus Accident Attorney in Austin
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