Bus Accident Attorneys in Houston, TX
Were you injured by a bus?
DEDICATED AND PASSIONATE REPRESENTATION FOR BUS ACCIDENT VICTIMS
Buses transport numerous passengers to and from work, school, home, appointments, events, and more. Buses owe their customers a high degree of safety while taking passengers from one location to another. Unfortunately, because of the number of buses and vehicles on roads, accidents involving buses happen. In some instances, other drivers or individuals are at-fault for the accident, but in other cases, the bus driver, or the bus company is responsible for causing an accident. When someone else’s negligence is the reason for an accident, you can take legal action against the responsible party to recover compensation for damages.
At Stepp & Sullivan, P.C, we have handled a variety of complex personal injury cases. Our experienced Houston bus accident lawyers provide aggressive advocacy to work toward obtaining a favorable outcome for you. With our knowledgeable lawyers at your side, you may be able to get compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages that resulted from your accident. And while no amount of money can relieve you of the pain you have suffered, it can provide financial relief and allow you to focus on your recovery rather than worry about financial matters.
Pursuing a Claim Against the Responsible Party
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be able to seek legal recourse against any of the at-fault individuals involved in your bus accident. The process you will go through for your lawsuit will differ depending on who was responsible.
Accidents Caused by Other Drivers
If you were injured in a bus accident caused by another driver, you may be able to hold that driver liable and file a claim against their insurance company. Contacting a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident is important because there is a deadline for pursuing a lawsuit. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16.003, you have only two years after the incident to file a suit against the responsible party.
Accidents Caused by Charter Bus Drivers
When the bus driver caused the accident, the claims process differs depending on whether the bus you were in was a charter bus or a public bus.
A charter bus is one that a company or group leases out to take passengers from one location to another. If you suffered injuries in an accident involving this type of bus, you may be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the charter bus company. As with filing a claim against another motorist, you have two years to take legal action.
Accidents Caused by Public Bus Drivers
With public buses, the process gets a little complicated because they are owned by city, county, or state governments. The Texas Tort Claims Act requires that, before you take legal action against the government, you submit a notice of intent to the agency stating your intent to sue. The notice must describe damages and injuries sustained, when and where the accident happened, and details of the accident.
You must file this notice within a specified deadline; otherwise, you lose your right to pursue a personal injury claim. Under Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code 101.101, you generally have 6 months to submit the notice. However, the time limits can vary by city and can be as short as 45 days. Also, you still have to file a personal injury claim within 2 years of the accident.
Missing a filing deadline and not submitting the correct forms can be detrimental to your ability to pursue a lawsuit against the responsible party. Having a skilled and experienced attorney on your side can significantly help your chances of successfully taking legal action.
