As Houston becomes more congested, the use of public transit increases. The unfortunate result is an increase in the number of people injured in bus accidents. For those injured in a bus accident, the damage can be permanent and significantly change their future. If you were injured in a bus accident, you may be entitled to compensation under Texas law. To ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve, you need an experienced personal injury attorney.
At Sherman Law Firm, we devote our practice to aiding those who have been injured others’ negligence. Unlike a general practice law firm, we focus on personal injury cases, and helping the injured recover the damages that they are entitled to. As a result, our attorneys have garnered a reputation for fierce representation and advocacy on behalf of our clients. If you or someone you know has been injured in a bus accident in the greater Houston area, please contact our office today for a free consultation.
Who is held liable for a bus accident?
In a bus accident, there are multiple parties who may be responsible. These parties include the bus driver, the bus company if the accident involves a privately-owned bus, a public entity if the accident involves a publicly-owned bus, the bus manufacturer, other drivers, or anyone else who may be directly at fault for the accident and your resulting injury. The at-fault party is the party that was negligent in causing the accident and your resulting injury. At the most basic level, negligence is failing to use reasonable care. The below summarizes the potential at-fault parties and provides examples.
- Bus Driver. A bus driver may be held liable for injuries resulting from a bus accident when the bus driver was negligent. A bus driver may be liable for failing to operate the bus in a manner reasonably expected of commercial bus drivers. Some examples of activities which could result in bus driver liability include texting and driving, driving while intoxicated, failing to stop at a stoplight or stop sign, speeding, or otherwise acting in a manner that falls below the standard of care expected of commercial bus drivers.
- Private Bus Company. A private bus company may be held liable for injuries resulting from a bus accident under the theory of vicarious liability or negligence. For vicarious liability, the private bus company may be liable for its employees’ actions when those employees were negligent. A private bus company could be liable for its bus driver’s negligent operation of the bus because the bus driver was working for the private bus company at the time of the accident. Similarly, the private bus company could be liable for its own negligent action, such as failing to properly maintain the mechanical quality of the bus. Here, a private bus company could be liable if it failed to replace the tires on the bus which resulted in the bus hydroplaning in wet conditions and causing the accident.
- Public Entity. Accidents involving a public entity, such as a school district, are complex and not clear cut. This is because under Texas law, an individual does not have the right to sue the State unless the cause of action is permitted under state law. In Texas, the Texas Tort Claims Act allows for certain claims resulting from bus accident injuries to be brought. At Sherman Law Firm, we have significant experience in bringing personal injury claims against public entities and thus are well-versed in the unique and complex laws surrounding such actions.
- Bus Manufacturer. A bus manufacturer may be liable for accidents resulting from a bus accident if the bus had a manufacturing or design defect. Like lawsuits against public entities, lawsuits against manufacturers for product liability cases are extremely complex and require particular knowledge in product design, testing, and implementation. At Sherman Law Firm, we have successfully represented Houston residents in product liability cases to ensure that they get the compensation that they deserve.
- Other drivers. In addition to the bus driver and related parties, other drivers on the road may be responsible for your injuries. If you were involved in a bus accident because another driver on the road caused the accident, then they may be liable to you for the injuries that you sustained.
What compensation may I be entitled to?
If you’ve been injured in a bus accident in Houston, you may be entitled to recover compensation for any economic and non-economic losses that you’ve suffered as a result of the accident. Economic losses are financial losses such as lost earning capacity, lost wages, out-of-pocket medical expenses, future medical expenses, and property damages. Non-economic damages are not financial in nature and thus are difficult to quantify, such as pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment. An experienced personal injury attorney will work with you to determine that maximum compensation allowable under Texas law.
Contact Our Houston Bus Accident Lawyer
At Sherman Law Firm, we understand how difficult recovering from an accident is and will work to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Our legal team will handle all the details of your claim so that you can focus on recovering. Please contact our office today to speak with our attorneys.