Liability in Seguin Bus Accident Cases
After a bus accident, you may need to seek considerable compensation for your losses, from your medical costs to the income loss that can follow significant time out of work due to an injury. In order to recover the full compensation you deserve, you must determine who bears liability for the accident. Liability in Seguin bus accident cases can depend on several factors, including how the accident occurred and whether any external factors contributed to the accident. A bus crash attorney can provide deeper insight into likely liability for the incident and help shape your claim.
The Bus Driver
Often, bus drivers in Seguin will bear liability for incidents caused by their negligence on the road. Bus driver negligence can include anything from violating the rules of the road, including running red lights or ignoring speed limits, to failing to look carefully around the bus before moving into traffic or changing lanes. Sometimes, injured individuals will need to file a claim through the bus company’s insurance plan even when the driver bears direct liability for the incident.
The Bus Company
The bus company may bear liability in Seguin bus collision cases for a number of reasons, including:
- Failure to take care of routine maintenance or needed repairs on its buses
- Rules and policies that force or pressure a driver to drive unsafely
- Allowing a driver with a known history of unsafe practices to continue driving for the company
A claim against the bus company may go through the same policy as a claim against the bus driver.
Bus Manufacturers
Bus manufacturers must meet stringent safety standards. Unfortunately, manufacturing defects or carelessness in design can lead to severe accidents because of mechanical failure. Common mechanical problems include steering failures or brake issues, both of which can make it impossible for the bus driver to safely control the bus. When a mechanical issue caused by a manufacturing defect leads to a collision, the injured person may need to file a claim against the manufacturer.
Government Entities
When the bus is owned directly by the city, injured individuals may need to seek compensation through a claim against the entity that owns the buses, including Alamo Regional Transit. Claims against government entities in Texas have specific requirements, including filing a written complaint within six months of the incident. A lawyer can guide injured individuals through that process and make sure they do not miss any of those requirements.
Other Drivers
In some cases, another driver, rather than the bus driver, may bear liability for a bus accident in Seguin. In the case of negligent behavior from another driver, from failure to yield to speeding or driving while distracted, injured parties may need to pursue compensation through that driver’s insurance policy. Working with a lawyer can prove essential to making the most of those claims, especially in cases where multiple individuals suffered injury in the bus accident.
Contact an Attorney to Learn More About Liability in Seguin Bus Accident Cases
If you suffered injuries in a bus accident, determining all parties that share liability can prove critical to recovering the full compensation you deserve. Reach out to Felix Gonzalez, Accident and Injury Law Firm, today to discuss liability in Seguin bus accident cases, how it impacts your case, and how you can maximize the compensation you can recover for your injuries.
