How Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers Helps After a Fort Worth Bus Accident
A Fort Worth bus accident lawyer identifies who operates the bus, which rules apply to that operator, and what deadlines you face. That first step matters more in bus cases than in most crashes, because a public transit agency, a school district, and a private charter company are each handled very differently.
When you hire us, we:
- Identify the bus owner, operator, and any contractors
- Send required notice of claim to government entities on time
- Request the crash report, onboard video, maintenance logs, and driver records
- Work with accident reconstructionists and medical professionals when needed
- Calculate your full damages, including future care and lost earning capacity
- Take your case to trial if a fair resolution isn’t offered
Types of Bus Accidents We Handle
We handle bus accident claims involving every kind of bus on Fort Worth roads:
- City and public transit buses operated by a transit agency
- School buses run by public school districts or private contractors
- Charter and tour buses carrying groups across Texas and out of state
- Intercity buses on interstate routes
- Shuttles for airports, hotels, hospitals, and universities
- Church and private buses
Victims include passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Who Is Liable for a Bus Accident?
The operator of the bus is usually the main defendant, along with the driver. Bus companies that carry the public for pay are common carriers, and Texas courts hold them to a high degree of care for their passengers.
Other parties may share fault:
- Another motorist who caused the crash
- A maintenance company that failed to repair brakes, tires, or steering
- A manufacturer of a defective part
- A company that hired an unqualified or unsafe driver
Interstate and charter passenger carriers must follow federal passenger carrier regulations on driver hours, licensing, drug and alcohol testing, and vehicle inspections. Records showing violations can be strong evidence.
Bus Accidents Involving Government Entities
Claims against a public transit agency or public school district are governed by the Texas Tort Claims Act. It waives immunity for some injuries caused by a government employee’s negligent use of a motor vehicle, but it also:
- Requires written notice of the claim within six months of the incident, and some city charters require notice sooner
- Caps the damages that can be recovered
- Bars punitive damages against the government entity
These rules are strict. A strong case can be lost because notice went out late. If a government bus was involved, contact a lawyer right away.
What Should I Do After a Bus Accident in Fort Worth?
Get medical care, then document the bus and the operator.
- Call 911 and make sure a police report is made.
- Write down the bus number, route, operator name, and driver’s name.
- Photograph the scene, the bus, other vehicles, and your injuries.
- Get contact information from other passengers and witnesses.
- See a doctor promptly, even if you feel fine.
- Don’t sign anything or give a recorded statement to the operator’s insurer before talking to a lawyer.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Bus Accident?
You can seek compensation for both financial losses and personal harm, subject to any government damage caps.
Economic damages include medical bills, rehabilitation, future care, lost wages, and lost earning capacity.
Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, and disfigurement.
Bus passengers often have no seat belts and may be standing, so they can be thrown during sudden stops. Common injuries include head and brain injuries, fractures, back and neck injuries, and catastrophic injuries. If a loved one died, see our Fort Worth wrongful death lawyer page.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bus Accident Claim?
You generally have two years from the crash to file a lawsuit in Texas. If a government entity is involved, you may have six months or less to give notice. Texas uses modified comparative fault: if you are 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced by your share, and at 51% or more you recover nothing.
About Brad Parker
Fort Worth Bus Accident FAQs
How much does a bus accident lawyer cost in Fort Worth?
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 money for you. The fee is a percentage of the recovery agreed in writing before we start, and our fee will never exceed your recovery. We explain the exact terms during your free case review.
Can I sue a city bus or transit agency in Texas?
Often, yes, but with limits. The Texas Tort Claims Act allows some claims against government entities for injuries caused by an employee's negligent use of a motor vehicle. It caps damages and requires notice of the claim within six months of the incident, or sooner under some city charters. Missing the notice deadline can end the claim.
What if my child was hurt in a school bus accident?
A public school district is a government entity, so Tort Claims Act rules and notice deadlines usually apply. A private bus contractor may also be responsible. Get medical care for your child, keep records of the bus route and incident, and talk to a lawyer quickly so the notice deadline is met.
Who is responsible in a charter or tour bus crash?
The bus company, the driver, and sometimes a maintenance contractor or the company that booked the trip can share responsibility. Interstate passenger carriers must follow federal safety rules on driver hours, inspections, and qualifications. Violations of those rules can be strong evidence of negligence.
I was hit by a bus while walking or driving. Do I have a claim?
Yes, if the bus driver or operator was at fault. Bus claims aren't only for passengers. Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians hurt by a bus can seek compensation from the operator and its insurer, or from the government entity that runs the bus, subject to the same notice rules.
Visit Our Fort Worth Office
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
209 N Hampton St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
- Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday – Sunday Closed