How Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers Helps After a Bus Accident in Bedford
A Bedford bus accident lawyer identifies who operated the bus, which deadlines apply, and which parties must pay for your injuries. Bus cases are different from car accidents. The operator may be a private company, a school district, or another public agency, and each brings its own rules and defenses.
When you hire us, we:
- Determine whether a public entity is involved and send any required notice on time
- Investigate the crash and request driver logs, maintenance records, and video
- Identify everyone who shares responsibility
- Document your medical care, lost income, and other out-of-pocket expenses
- Negotiate with the bus company and its insurer
- Take your case to a Tarrant County jury if the defense won’t make a fair offer
Our Bedford personal injury attorneys represent bus accident victims across Bedford, Hurst, and Euless from our office on Plaza Parkway.
What Types of Bus Accidents Do We Handle?
We handle claims involving public and private buses in and around Bedford, including:
- School bus accidents in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford area
- HEB-area and senior transit bus accidents
- Airport shuttle accidents
- Charter and tour bus accidents
- City and regional transit bus accidents
- Intercity bus accidents, such as Greyhound
Passengers, occupants of other vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians can all be injured in a bus crash. If your child was hurt, see our Bedford child injury lawyer page.
Can You Sue a Government Agency After a Bus Accident in Texas?
Yes, in some cases, but the rules are strict. The Texas Tort Claims Act waives immunity for some injuries caused by a government employee’s use of a motor vehicle, such as a school bus driver’s negligence.
Key points:
- You must give the government entity written notice of the claim, generally within six months. Some city charters set shorter deadlines.
- The notice must describe the injury, the time and place of the incident, and what happened.
- The Act caps damages against government entities and limits the types of claims allowed.
Read more about Tort Claims Act notice requirements. Private bus companies don’t have this protection.
What Causes Bus Accidents in Bedford?
Most bus accidents happen because a driver or company was negligent. Buses and their drivers must follow federal and state safety rules, including limits on driving hours. Common causes include:
- Driver inexperience
- Negligent hiring, supervision, and training
- Distracted driving
- Speeding and fatigued driving
- Wide or illegal turns
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Drug and alcohol use
- Braking errors, illegal stops, and unsafe passing
- Following too closely
- Running red lights or stop signs
Defective vehicles and safety equipment, bad weather, and unsafe road design can also contribute.
Who Is Liable for a Bedford Bus Accident?
The bus driver and the bus operator are usually the main responsible parties. A driver can be personally responsible for negligence, and bus companies, including government bus services, can be responsible for their drivers’ actions on the job.
Liability can also extend to:
- Drivers of other vehicles
- Bus manufacturers and parts makers
- Maintenance contractors
- Transit companies and contractors that run routes
- Property owners, in some stop or boarding injuries
- Employers of other negligent parties
We dig into how and why the crash happened to identify everyone at fault.
What Is My Bedford Bus Accident Case Worth?
Every bus accident claim is valued on its own facts. We consider:
- The severity of your injuries and how they affect daily life
- Medical bills, expenses, and lost income
- Whether your earning capacity has been affected
- Whether you share any fault
- Which parties are involved, and any government damage caps
You can seek economic damages for medical expenses, lost wages, disability, nursing care, and property damage, and non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of consortium. Families who lost a loved one can seek funeral expenses; see our Bedford wrongful death lawyer page.
Common bus accident injuries include broken bones, back injuries, head injuries, nerve damage, amputations, and internal injuries. Adrenaline can mask symptoms, so get checked at a Bedford emergency room or by your doctor right away.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bus Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
The statute of limitations for most bus accident cases is two years from the crash. If a school district, city, or transit agency is involved, the six-month (or shorter) notice deadline comes first. Contact a lawyer as soon as you can.
About Brad Parker
Bedford Bus Accident FAQs
How much does a bus accident lawyer cost in Bedford?
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers handles bus accident cases on a contingency fee. You pay nothing upfront, and you don't owe attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you. The fee is a percentage of the recovery agreed in writing before we start, and our fee will never exceed your recovery.
Can I sue a school district or public transit agency after a bus crash?
Sometimes. The Texas Tort Claims Act allows certain injury claims against government entities, including claims arising from the use of a motor vehicle by a government employee. The law limits those claims and requires written notice, often within six months of the incident and sometimes sooner under a city charter. Call a lawyer quickly.
Who is responsible if a charter or tour bus crashes?
The bus driver and the company that operates the bus are usually the main parties. A bus company is generally responsible for its drivers' negligence on the job and can also be liable for poor hiring, training, or maintenance. Other drivers, manufacturers, and maintenance contractors may share fault.
What if I was in a car that collided with a bus?
You can bring a claim against the bus driver and operator if they caused the crash. Bus companies and their insurers often blame the other driver. Under Texas comparative fault rules, you can still recover if you were 50% or less at fault, though your recovery is reduced by your share.
How long do I have to file a bus accident lawsuit in Texas?
For most bus accidents, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. If a government entity is involved, a much shorter written notice deadline can apply first. Missing either deadline can end your claim, so act quickly.
Visit Our Bedford Office
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Bedford Office
2317 Plaza Pkwy #100, Bedford, TX 76021
- Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday – Sunday Closed