Liability in Austin Bus Accident Cases
As you deal with the aftermath of a bus accident that left you injured, reach out to a lawyer to learn more about your legal options for compensation. Determining liability in Austin bus accident cases is one of the important things that we do in a personal injury case like yours.
An experienced bus collision attorney carefully investigates the crash in an effort to get a complete picture of what happened and why it happened. This helps us understand who is responsible for the damages. Once we determine liability, we can then pursue compensation through a civil lawsuit.
Bus Accidents Caused by Negligence
If someone is negligent, it means they failed to exercise reasonable care and hurt someone. In the case of bus accidents in Austin, negligence means the driver, the bus company, or a third party breached their duty of care toward the injured person, thus causing the accident that resulted in the injury. The negligent person is typically the one who is liable for the damages.
Proving Negligence in Bus Accident Cases
To prove negligence, first, the attorney must show that the duty of care toward the injured person was breached. Then, the attorney links that breach of duty to the injuries. After that, the lawyer explains the damages caused by the negligence.
Negligent Bus Drivers
A bus driver may be found liable if they act in the following negligent ways:
- Speeding
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving while distracted
- Driving while intoxicated
- Driving too fast for conditions
If an act of negligence caused the bus accident in Austin, then the driver could be found liable.
Negligent Bus Companies
A bus company may be negligent if it failed to train their drivers properly, did not provide adequate supervision, or did not follow laws concerning buses. The bus company could be held responsible for the damages in addition to the bus driver.
In the case of a school bus, the school district could be held liable for damages.
Negligent Maintenance Companies
If a maintenance company was hired to keep the bus in good working condition, neglects this maintenance, and the neglect can be linked to the accident and injuries, the maintenance company could be liable for damages.
Government-Owned Buses
If the bus that was in the accident was owned by the government, there may be different rules for filing a lawsuit. Whereas normal personal injury lawsuits fall under a two-year statute of limitations, the government requires an injured person to file an intent to sue much sooner, depending on the local or state laws. Contacting a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident is crucial in bus accident cases that involve government-owned buses.
Damages in a Bus Accident
The liable person or entity is responsible for damages after a bus collision in Austin, which can be both economic and non-economic. Examples of damages in a bus crash case include:
- Medical expenses
- Missed wages
- Inability to earn wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Disfigurement
Recovering damages after the accident is a way of gaining financial stability while recuperating from injuries, and it is a way of gaining a sense of justice for the wrongs that were done.
Ask an Austin Lawyer About Liability in a Bus Accident
At Felix Gonzalez Accident and Injury Law Firm, we believe you should get the compensation you deserve, and we will work tirelessly to achieve a positive outcome. Liability in Austin bus accident cases can be a difficult legal concept to understand, but it is crucial when filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Schedule a free consultation to get your questions about liability answered.
