Bus Accident Lawyer in Galveston, TX

Galveston Bus Accident Lawyer

Have You Been Injured in a Bus Crash?

Buses are a common site across Texas. Hundreds of thousands of commuters use buses each year to travel from place to place. Some buses offer local transit around a city and service commercial districts, while others use buses as their way to commute to and from work. Still others decide to ride on a bus as they travel out of state to see family or friends. Whatever the reason, Texas citizens are boarding buses in large numbers each year and that is a trend that is expected to continue in the coming decades.

Most of these residents travel safely while aboard these buses but unfortunately, many sustain injuries each year in Texas bus crashes. Often these injuries are very significant, in part because passengers do not use seat belts while riding on most buses. With a number of bus companies servicing Galveston and Texas as a whole, it may not be surprising that these bus crashes account for numerous injuries every year and unfortunately some may result in death. If you suffer an injury, be sure to speak with a Galveston bus crash lawyer ASAP.

What are some of the common reasons for bus crashes?

Bus drivers experience a lot of the same challenges as any driver, in addition to some other unique problems. Some common causes of bus accidents involve:

• Driver distraction-- Drivers who pay more attention to their phones or various other electronic devices are much more prone to crashes. Due to the amount of occupants on buses, bus drivers also are more prone to passenger distractions than someone operating a car.
• Driver fatigue-- Similar to a truck driver, bus drivers have a schedule to meet. This frequently means they work long hours without taking adequate breaks. The loud environment of a bus can also wear on a driver.
• Speeding-- To make their scheduled stops, drivers may disregard speed limits or road conditions due to inclement weather.
• Vehicle maintenance-- A poorly maintained bus can crash because of a failing component.
• Inadequate training-- Too often, drivers do not have proper training on the safest practices for operating a bus. The absence of training or inadequate training can result in a driver error that can cause an accident.

What injuries are common in bus crashes?

Just like any kind of collision on Galveston streets, the injuries from a bus crash can partially depend on the speed of travel and the size of the other vehicle or vehicles in the collision.

The most prevalent injuries include:

• Fractures (broken bones) that need surgical repair
• Head and brain injuries
• Back & neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Scars and lacerations
• Wrongful Death

What Legal Rights are Available to a Bus Accident Victim?

As a bus accident victim, the law might provide you several civil cases to pursue. The claims available will rely on the circumstances of a particular accident and who is at fault in the accident.

At Fault Third Parties

If another driver causes a crash with a bus while you are an occupant on that bus, you might have a claim against the other driver for your injuries. If the other driver does not have enough insurance coverage available for all of the injuries suffered in the collision or if the other driver has no insurance available at all, you might also have a right to bring an uninsured or underinsured claim against your own insurance provider or the bus company itself, if there is UM coverage available.

At Fault Bus Driver

On the other hand, if the collision is due to a negligent bus driver and you were either a bus passenger or in another vehicle, you might have a claim against the bus driver and the bus company. This holds true even if the bus owner is a municipality, like a city bus used for public transportation.

Safety Defects on a Bus

Lastly, if the collision is caused by some defect in the bus itself and not through actions of any drivers, you might have a claim against the:

• manufacturer of the bus
• seller of the bus
• owner/operator of the bus
• anyone who performed negligent maintenance while servicing the bus

Any bus driver who is hurt in a crash might also have a claim for worker's compensation for their injuries.

The possibility of so many claims makes a bus accident case complicated and complex. Typically the more vehicles involved in the collision, the more complicated the case( s). This is a reason that when selecting a bus crash lawyer in Galveston, you want to pick one with experience prosecuting personal injury claims.

What do I do after I'm involved in a bus accident?

You may be shaken and in a state of shock after being involved in a bus crash. But there are a few important things that you need to do before leaving the scene.

• Call 911
• Get witness information
• Seek medical care
• Consult with a bus crash attorney

How much can I recover financially after a bus accident?

The amount of money you may receive following a bus crash will depend a great deal on the extent of your injuries. Generally, you may recoup the costs of your:

• medical bills
• lost income
• pain and suffering
• loss of companionship
• lost earning capacity
• damages caused by long-term disability or disfigurement

Families who have lost a loved one in a Galveston bus accident can also collect for any treatment their loved one sustained before dying as well as compensation for funeral and burial costs, loss of companionship, and other damages. Speak with an experienced Galveston bus crash attorney to learn all of your options.

Have you been injured in a Galveston Bus Accident?

The Galveston bus crash attorneys at Dunk Law Firm will strive to help you get the financial recovery that you are entitled to. Bus accident damages might consist of: medical costs, disfigurement, pain and suffering, loss of normal life, loss of income, and more. We also look to recover present and future costs when defending a crash victim.

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