Have you been injured in a bus accident in Austin, Texas? Call Anderson Injury Lawyers at (512) 399-5000 for a free consultation. You have rights as a crash victim, and our experienced Austin bus accident lawyers can help you pursue a claim and fight for the compensation you deserve.
We provide dedicated legal representation to people who have been seriously injured in bus accidents throughout Austin and across Texas. Bus crash claims can involve complex liability issues, multiple parties, and aggressive insurance companies, but our experienced legal team is prepared to handle every aspect of your case.
Why Choose Anderson Injury Lawyers for Help After a Bus Accident in Austin, TX?
Bus accident cases can be challenging, thanks to the application of state and federal law and complex matters of liability. Experience can make or break a fight for compensation, which is why bus accident victims turn to Anderson Injury Lawyers.
Our Austin personal injury lawyers level the playing field between injury victims and powerful corporations. We bring hands-on experience, a depth of knowledge of relevant law, and a winning reputation to the cases we handle.
Focused on providing personalized and powerful client service, members of our team have been honored as:
- Texas Magazine Top Attorneys
- Super Lawyers
- Expertise Best Car Accident Lawyers
- Members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent lawyers.
Hiring us to represent you after a bus accident sends a clear message that you won’t be pushed around or bullied during the claims process. Call our law office today for a free consultation with a trusted Austin bus accident attorney.
How Much Is My Bus Accident Case Worth?
A lot of things will influence how much money you could recover through a settlement agreement or jury award if your bus accident lawsuit goes to trial.
Some factors include:
- What type of bus accident injuries did you suffer?
- Are those injuries catastrophic or permanent?
- Has your ability to work been compromised in any way?
- How has your quality of life changed since the bus accident?
- Is the bus company or its insurer trying to blame you for the crash?
- How old are you?
- What have you done to mitigate your injuries?
- How strong is the evidence supporting your case?
The severity of your injuries will tend to have the greatest overall impact on your claim’s value. More serious injuries tend to cause greater financial distress and emotional trauma, which can lead to higher recoveries. However, even more moderate bus accident injuries can be costly and painful, and, in turn, generate substantial awards.
What Types of Damages Can Be Awarded to Austin Bus Accident Victims?
The plaintiff in a bus accident lawsuit in Austin can pursue two types of compensatory damages: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages help with the objective costs and losses associated with a bus accident, such as:
- Present and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and income
- Disability
- Diminished earning capacity
- Rehabilitation
- Nursing care
- Property damage
Non-economic damages are awarded to acknowledge and compensate harder-to-value trauma, such as:
- Chronic pain
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced quality of life
- Embarrassment
- Disfigurement and scarring
Some bus accident victims may be entitled to punitive damages, but only in limited situations where a jury finds that a defendant’s conduct was clearly grossly negligent or malicious.
Common Bus Accident Injuries
Buses are a lot bigger than the average car. They’re tall, long, and heavy. When they’re involved in a crash—especially one at high speeds—they can do a lot of damage to surrounding property, other vehicles, occupants of the bus and surrounding cars, and pedestrians.
Victims of bus accidents in Austin regularly head to the emergency room to get treated for a wide range of serious injuries, including:
- Crush injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Nerve damage
- Chest injuries
- Leg injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Burn injuries
- Head injuries
- Brain injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Injuries that ultimately lead to the victim’s wrongful death
Always report a bus accident to the local police, seek prompt medical attention, and call a lawyer for help as soon as you can. These steps can protect your rights, keep you healthy, and increase the likelihood of winning your fight for compensation.
Understanding Liability for an Austin Bus Accident
Under Texas law, anyone who contributes to a bus accident may be held financially responsible for the resulting damages.
In many cases, liable parties may include:
- The bus driver, if they were speeding, distracted, ran a red light, or violated safety rules
- The bus company, if it hired an unqualified driver, failed to maintain the bus, or allowed unsafe practices
- A government agency, school district, or property owner responsible for unsafe roads or premises
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer, if a defect contributed to the crash
- Another driver, pedestrian, bicyclist, or scooter operator who helped cause the accident
When more than one party is at fault, each may be responsible for a share of your damages. Our Austin bus accident lawyers will investigate your crash, identify who is liable, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Can Shared Fault Affect My Texas Bus Accident Settlement?
Yes, because Texas follows a system of modified comparative negligence. Under the law, a plaintiff’s financial recovery can be reduced or barred, depending on the degree to which they share blame for their injuries.
Damages are reduced proportionately to shared fault up to 50 percent. If you’re 30 percent to blame for a bus accident in Austin, your financial award can be reduced by 30 percent of its value.
When shared fault is greater than half, the right to recover compensation from other parties – even if they’re also at fault – generally disappears.
What Does it Cost to Hire a Bus Accident Attorney?
Our law firm understands the financial stress you’re under in the wake of a serious commercial vehicle accident. We’re here to make life easier, not to add to the burdens you face. Our contingency fee representation means we only recover a fee when we win compensation for your bus accident case.
If we don’t win, you pay nothing. We assume the risks of litigation; you reap the benefits.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bus Accident Claim in Texas?
Texas imposes a two-year statute of limitations on most personal injury lawsuits, including those stemming from bus accidents in Austin. However, there can be exceptions.
One notable exception involves claims against the government, which could be possible if your bus accident involved a CapMetro city bus or a school bus. Texas law requires you to provide written notice of your claim within six months of your bus accident. If you miss this important step, you can be barred from pursuing compensation from a city, county, or state government agency.
What Should I Do After a Bus Accident in Austin?
The steps you take after a bus accident can have a significant impact on your health and your ability to recover compensation. Even if your injuries seem minor at first, it is important to take the situation seriously and protect your legal rights.
After a bus accident, you should:
- Call 911 and report the accident to law enforcement
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible
- Follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations
- Take photos of the accident scene, vehicles, and your injuries if possible
- Gather contact information from witnesses
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies without legal advice
- Contact an experienced Austin bus accident lawyer
Taking these steps can help preserve valuable evidence and strengthen your injury claim.
Call Our Austin Bus Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a bus accident in Austin, Anderson Injury Lawyers is here to help. Bus accident victims may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. Our experienced attorneys can guide you through the claims process and fight for the financial recovery you deserve.
Our firm has recovered more than $100 million for injury victims across Texas. Let us put our experience to work for you. Contact Anderson Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation with an Austin bus accident attorney.