According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 1,200 fatalities in accidents involving school buses between 2007 and 2016. Meanwhile, in 2017, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported that 232 fatal crashes involved buses of all types, including school, transit, and intercity.
Getting hit by a bus can result in extensive damage to your car and severe injuries to yourself and any passengers. However, if your accident happened due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you could receive compensation for your financial losses and injuries.
If you suffered injuries in a bus accident, whether as a driver, occupant, bus passenger, pedestrian, or another road user, a Dallas bus accident lawyer can help you fight for justice and compensation. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (844) 730-0233 and speak with a team member about your legal options.
Bus Accident Injuries
While Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) buses can be an efficient way of getting around the city, they may not have seat belts for all passengers. This lack of belts can result in severe injuries, especially in overcrowded buses. Passengers who stand in the aisle might get thrown around when a bus stops abruptly, or a crash occurs. Injuries in bus accidents can include:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Internal injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Fractures
- Lacerations and cuts
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety and depression
Physical and emotional injuries may require time off work, as well as lengthy and potentially costly medical treatments. If the injuries you suffered in a bus accident resulted from someone else’s negligence, they should pay for the costs, not you. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today for a free case review with a team member.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accidents lawyer serving Dallas, call (844) 730-0233
Bus Accident Settlements
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in an accident with a bus in Dallas, you could receive compensation if the bus driver or company was at fault. Their insurance company might approach you to settle a claim. If this happens, you might want to speak to a Dallas bus accident lawyer before agreeing to any settlement verbally or in writing. You will want to make sure that any settlement amount actually covers all your damages relating to a bus accident, both now and in the future.
Remember that the at-fault party’s insurance will act in their best interests and not yours. The adjuster may try to get you to agree to a lowball offer. Agreeing to a settlement usually prohibits you from filing a lawsuit later, so you will want to make sure that the settlement is fair and covers all your damages. A bus accident attorney can calculate an adequate settlement amount for you.
The compensation you receive will depend on the circumstances of your accident and the types of injuries you have suffered. In general, you could receive the following compensation:
- Costs for medical treatment now and in the future
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning capacity
- Emotional anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Loss of a limb or a sense
- Disfigurement
- Permanent disability
If the bus driver or bus company acted in an egregiously reckless way in causing your accident, you could receive punitive awards in addition to compensatory damages. If you would like to find out which types of compensation may apply to your case, you can speak to a Dallas bus accident lawyer.
Dallas Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
The Importance of Acting Quickly
If you would like to receive compensation for your injuries and property damage, you might want to act as quickly as possible after an accident with a bus. Critical evidence can get lost or “disappear” if you do not take immediate action after an accident. Witnesses may move away or might not remember the accident as clearly as they did right after it happened.
Also consider the Texas statute of limitations, Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003, which states that you generally need to initiate any personal injury lawsuit within two years of the injury. Wrongful death lawsuits also have a two-year deadline. There are very few exceptions to these filing deadlines, so taking timely action is essential.
If you do not file within the timeline set by the state, you may not be able to recover any compensation. However, there are exceptions, and the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can explain your options if the two-year period has lapsed.
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A Dallas Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help
Whether you are an injured bus passenger, car occupant, or another road user, there are many ways that a Dallas bus accident lawyer can help you get justice and compensation for your injuries.
Explain Your Rights
They can explain the applicable laws regarding your bus accident and help you determine your legal options. They also can help you understand correspondence and paperwork relating to your case and translate complicated legal and insurance jargon.
Gather Evidence
They can collect the necessary evidence to build your case and prove the negligence of the at-fault party. This evidence can include medical reports, accident reports, and witness statements. They can also supply relevant expert witnesses for your case if needed.
Negotiate with Insurance Companies
Not all personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits end up in court. Many result in settlements with insurance companies. Having a Dallas bus accident lawyer by your side can protect you during negotiations with adjusters. They can negotiate a settlement that takes all your damages into account while ensuring that the at-fault party’s insurance does not take advantage of you.
Represent You in Court
If your case goes to trial, they can represent you and fight for your rights and compensation.
No Win, No Fee
Many personal injury lawyers work on contingency, meaning that there is no financial risk for you when you decide to work with them. Ben Crump Law, PLLC, has the resources to take on your case without any upfront attorney’s fees or other costs. We only get paid if we secure a settlement or judgment for you.
Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (844) 730-0233 to discuss your case with a team member and discover if you could receive compensation for your bus accident injuries.
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