While riding on public transit is statistically safer than driving your own motor vehicle, accidents involving these common carriers still happen regularly. On top of that, recovering civil compensation for the effects of a crash like this can be a complicated process, especially if you are unfamiliar with how state law regulates claims against government authorities.

Working with a knowledgeable Katy bus accident lawyer can be vital to protecting your interests after being hurt due to a negligent bus driver, operating entity, or an affiliated third party. Throughout your settlement negotiations or civil court trial, a dedicated personal injury attorney could demand comprehensive compensation on your behalf while ensuring common legal pitfalls do not negatively impact your claim.

How Negligence Can Cause Bus Accidents and Injuries

Because bus drivers transport multiple people at a time, they have an even greater duty of care than any other motor vehicle driver. In addition to following traffic laws and driving responsibly, bus drivers must also ensure that their passengers are safe from harm while on board.

A bus driver who acts carelessly and causes an injury to a passenger—whether through a traffic collision, sudden stop or start, or striking someone walking nearby—has violated their legal duty and may be civilly liable for damages. In many situations, their employer may also be accountable, which may allow for much greater financial compensation than an individual driver could provide.

Alternatively, some bus crashes stem primarily from third-party negligence. For example, mechanics that failed to address flaws in a bus or other drivers whose recklessness forced an otherwise responsible bus driver into an unavoidable wreck could be held responsible for damages. A bus collision attorney in Katy could provide vital assistance in identifying possible defendants and taking appropriate action against them following an incident.

Recoverable Damages and Filing Deadlines for Bus Crashes

A comprehensive lawsuit or settlement demand following a bus incident could incorporate both economic and non-economic losses, including:

  • Past and future medical bills
  • Personal property damage, including vehicle repairs
  • Lost wages and earning capacity
  • Lost enjoyment of life
  • Emotional and psychological trauma
  • Physical pain from injuries

However, anyone who wishes to name a private company or bus driver as a defendant in this type of claim has a maximum of two years to file suit under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003. Even shorter deadlines generally apply to bus crash claims against government entities and employees, as well as additional rules and restrictions that a seasoned attorney in Katy could explain in more detail.

A Katy Bus Accident Attorney Could Help

Enduring harm because a bus driver or their employer acted irresponsibly can cause physical, financial, and personal losses that may persist for months—sometimes years—after an initial accident. Recovering effectively from both short-term and long-term effects of an incident like this can require guidance from a legal professional with experience achieving positive results in similar cases.

A Katy bus accident lawyer’s assistance could make all the difference in your odds of securing a favorable case result. Call today for a private consultation.