Since Texas law is rather strict and offers government-owned buses additional protection from claims, it can be challenging to file a lawsuit against these buses.
Bus passengers injured in a bus accident can experience trauma, especially since not many people expect buses to be involved in collisions. Unfortunately, bus accidents happen everywhere and Texas is no exception.
However, in Texas, laws that determine liability are different from those of other vehicles such as cars. That said, many factors impact when and how you can file a claim against the responsible party.
If you live in Texas and have been involved in a bus accident, this article will tell you everything you should know about them and how an attorney can help you with that.
Texas Law and Bus Categories
According to the law of Texas, buses are divided into two broad categories: government and commercial-owned buses.
Essentially, government-owned buses include the following:
- City buses
- School buses
- Transportation for the disabled
Commercially-owned buses, on the other hand, refer to any vehicle that’s owned by a private company like:
- Commercial buses
- Charter buses
- Nursing home buses
- Casino buses
- Church buses
- Shuttle buses
If your accident occurred in any of these buses, you can consult experienced lawyers to check whether you’re eligible for compensation.
However, since Texas law is rather strict and offers government-owned buses additional protection from claims, it can be challenging to file a lawsuit against these buses. Still, you can seek compensation for your injuries from qualified local attorneys.
If you’re from Arlington, you can contact Arlington Bus Accident Lawyers to help determine liability and gather the necessary evidence to prove you’re worthy of compensation. These attorneys will work hard toward achieving this goal, regardless of these bus lines’ degree of protection.
Texas Law: Notice Requirements
When it comes to an accident, many states have different statutes of limitations. Texas law requires you to file a lawsuit within two years of a bus accident. However, when it comes to the notice of intent requirements, the law requires victims to file notice within six months of the crash.
If you’re unaware of your state’s laws, you can always reach out to Texas Bus Accident Lawyers, and they’ll provide additional information regarding the statute or notice. They’ll also help with drafting and filing these documents within the imposed deadline. If you fail to do so within the limited time, you lose your right to sue.
Commercial Buses and Their Responsibility
Although all buses must have a high duty of care toward their passengers, commercial buses, also known as ‘’common carriers’’, must be extra careful with the passengers and other pedestrians or vehicle drivers on the road.
These buses are expected to do many things, such as:
- Keeping a distance between the bus and other vehicles
- Ensuring proper maintenance
- Remaining focused while driving
- Not falling asleep while on the road
- Ensuring the bus drivers are properly trained for the job
When bus companies or their drivers are negligent, they fail to provide care for their passengers. In that case, you can help prevent similar irregularities from these companies by making a complaint to your city’s bus system, such as Arlington Transit – ART Bus.
So if you suffer harm due to a negligent bus accident, you’re eligible for compensation for your injuries. Luckily, Arlington Accident Lawyers have your back, allowing you plenty of time to recover and not deal with any legal paperwork.
Join the conversation!