Dallas Bus Accident Attorneys

Injured in an accident? Call our trusted Dallas law firm for help.

Office Location: 1910 Pacific Avenue, Suite 6000, Dallas, TX 75201

Traveling by bus is an economical and eco-friendly mode of transportation. Every day, thousands of commuters and students use bus transportation to reach their destination. While buses remain one of the safest modes of transportation, that fact is of little comfort to those who are victims or have family members who suffered an injury in a Dallas bus accident.

If this happened to you or a loved one, call our Dallas bus accident lawyers for help right away.

We are a national law firm based with multiple offices around the country, including Dallas. We also work with affiliate law firms that share our focus and dedication to excellence in most states. No matter where you are located, we may be able to help you, so call or contact us now. We are open, for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 800-898-4877, or you may contact us now by clicking here to submit your case for review.

Bus Accident Guide

We Get Results For Injury Victims

Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers, has a track record of success. Accident injury victims we have helped have shared numerous testimonials to let other potential clients know they can trust our team to help them with a personal injury claim.

Our record of success does not always mean that we will have the same level of success in the future. However, we will work as hard as possible to get you the compensation you deserve following a Dallas bus accident.

Bus Traffic, Injuries, and Fatalities

Like many metropolitan areas, Dallas has hundreds of bus routes. The DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) reports nearly 700 buses that cover transit needs in 13 cities. More than 10,000 bus stops with a total annual ridership above 27 million people.

School bus traffic is also heavy in Dallas. There are also bus routes covering 137 schools in the area.

In one recent year, across the United States, 13,000 people suffered injuries, and more than 100 lost their lives in school bus accidents, three of them in Texas, despite there being significantly fewer bus accidents than car accidents.

The numbers above do not include any tour buses which may travel through Dallas at any given time. Dallas has many sights, including Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve, and the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. Some of the more than 50 million visitors to Texas will board tour buses hoping to see these sights.

Dallas Bus Accident Injuries

When a car and a bus collide in Dallas, car or bus drivers or passengers may suffer injuries, and nearby pedestrians, motorcycle operators, or bicyclists.

Some of the most common injuries someone involved in a bus accident may suffer include:

  • Head and spinal cord injury - The trauma one can suffer during a bus accident can include traumatic brain injury, whiplash, or spinal cord injuries. These injuries can have long-lasting impacts on the lives of survivors. Victims can suffer long-term pain, paralysis, or may suffer cognitive issues because of these injuries.
  • Broken bones - Regardless of what vehicle you are in at the time of a Dallas bus accident, you can suffer a broken bone. While some victims may suffer only a simple fracture, some may suffer multiple broken bones or crushing injuries. Some instances may require surgery.
  • Internal injuries - For those involved in a bus accident while operating a motorcycle or bicycle or traveling on foot, internal injuries often occur. Drivers and passengers in a standard motor vehicle may also suffer from internal injuries due to the thrusting action they suffer during a collision. Punctured organs, lacerations of the liver, and even internal bleeding can cause extreme pain and, if untreated, could also be fatal.
  • Cuts and lacerations - Glass and metal debris can cause serious lacerations and cuts at all accident sites. Some victims may even suffer a heavy loss of blood, tissue damage, or damaged nerves and tendons.

Other injuries may occur during a bus accident, so anyone involved in these collisions must seek immediate medical attention. Once a physician evaluates your injuries, contact a Dallas bus accident attorney and learn more about what steps you can take to seek compensation for your monetary losses.

Liability for Injuries Suffered Due to a Dallas Bus Accident

Nearly every accident is easily avoidable. People or companies that fail to do so incur liability. To hold someone financially accountable for an accident, you must establish liability.

To do this, we strive to prove:

  • The person owed the injured party a duty of care
  • The person breached their duty of care
  • Because of the breach of duty of care, the injured party suffered an injury
  • The injured person suffered a loss as a result of the breach of duty of care

This means you must establish who caused the accident and take the proper steps to demonstrate their fault. We can do this in many ways, including retrieving accident reports, obtaining witness statements, and reconstructing the accident when necessary.

Some of the potentially liable parties to a bus accident may include:

  • Bus driver
  • The driver of another vehicle on the roadway
  • Bus maintenance company
  • Manufacturer of a part of the car or bus involved in the accident
  • The company responsible for the bus (tour buses)
  • A government entity, if a road defect was partially responsible.

Any driver can be liable for an accident because they were driving impaired, failed to yield the right of way, or because of reckless driving. Maintenance companies must properly inspect a bus for safety before putting it on the road. Should they fail in that responsibility, they can be partially or completely at fault for an accident involving a school bus or a transit bus.

In some instances, a tire blowout, brake failure, or another mechanical part on a car or bus could fail and cause the driver to lose control of their vehicle. In these instances, it may be necessary to seek compensation from the part manufacturer or the maintenance company because they should have identified the problem during a routine inspection.

In the case of a tour bus, passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians who suffer an injury may have to file a claim against the bus owner. Finally, if a neglected road defect caused an accident, victims may need to file a claim against a government entity.

Anyone suffering an injury should seek legal help from a skilled attorney at Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers. Without a thorough investigation of the accident, someone who may be partially liable may not be held accountable for their role in the accident.

Financial Recovery From Dallas Bus Accident Injuries

Because every accident is different, it is difficult to affix a set dollar amount to an injury claim.

However, your lawyer will often work with you to calculate your losses and file an insurance claim based on:

  • Medical expenses related to the accident - From the time you leave the accident scene, you will have to keep track of medical expenses related to the injuries you suffered in a Dallas bus accident. You may include ambulance transportation, tests to determine the extent of your injuries, hospitalization costs, pain medication, and medication to treat or avoid infection.
  • Income losses related to your injury - You could lose work for weeks or months when you recover from a bus accident injury. Disability or other benefits may pay for some of the loss of income. However, some losses will add up over time. When filing a claim, you may include the loss of funds put into retirement accounts, loss of ability to accumulate sick or personal days, overtime pay lost, etc.
  • Modification of living space - Depending on the injury you or a loved one suffered in a bus accident, you may need to modify your home to ensure safety. Ramps, rearranging living areas, and other safety measures may be necessary. Don't bear the costs of these modifications when you were not to blame for the accident which caused your injury.
  • Non-economic losses - You may seek compensation for certain things that are not direct financial losses. These include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, scarring, and lower quality of life. Speak with your attorney about these potential claims.

Generally, it is best not to file a claim before your doctor completely understands your recovery timeline. When your doctor advises you that they expect your physical condition will not improve any further regardless of medical intervention, your attorney will help you prepare a demand for settlement to file your claim.

Remember, an attorney makes sure you understand the extent of your claim. We can help you understand how to sue for non-economic losses, including anxiety after an accident, and file a reasonable compensation demand given your injuries.

Negotiations With Insurance Company After a Dallas Bus Accident

Some accident victims wonder if they can settle an accident claim without a lawyer. This is seldom a good idea. Insurance company adjusters are going to play hardball with accident victims. You and the insurer have different goals in mind. Your goal is to recover full compensation for your injury. The insurer's goal is to attempt to minimize their loss by paying a claim in full.

Some of the steps an insurance company may take to avoid liability include:

  • Offer a low-ball settlement fast - Some insurers will make an offer as soon as you file a claim hoping you will accept it immediately. These offers will be far less than what you may otherwise be entitled to collect in nearly all cases.
  • Deny any liability for the accident - Insurance companies do not want to pay claims unless they are forced into it in some cases. To avoid paying a claim, they may attempt to demonstrate their client didn't cause the accident. This is one reason we encourage victims to avoid offering a recorded statement. These statements may indicate the victim had partial or complete fault for an accident. They ask the same question in multiple ways to see if they can solicit conflicting answers to use against an injured person.
  • Claim a victim had a preexisting condition - Insurers will often seek information on a victim's medical history to show they were predisposed to an injury. For example, someone who suffers a neck or back injury who has had prior back or neck problems is more likely to suffer a repeat injury. Insurers will use these medical records to minimize a claim made by a victim.

These are just a few ways an insurance company will attempt to pay out less than a victim might otherwise be entitled to following a Dallas bus accident. At Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers, we will fight tirelessly to make sure they are unsuccessful in their attempts.

Paying for a Dallas Bus Accident Lawyer

When you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to a Dallas bus accident, it is normal to have concerns about finances. Saving money may feel more challenging, and you may be concerned about paying for the cost of hiring an attorney. Here’s what you should know about our team at Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers:

We offer accident victims a free consultation and case evaluation.

Our attorneys understand your concerns about money when you can't return to work or face mounting medical bills and other expenses because your child suffered an injury in a Dallas bus accident.

You can contact us for a free consultation and case evaluation. During this consultation, we will discuss the circumstances surrounding the bus accident, determine the extent of your financial losses, discuss who is liable and advise you of the rules in Texas regarding personal injury claims.

This information will allow you to make a more informed decision regarding whether or not you need legal help and whether you wish to hire Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers, to assist you with your claim.

If you agree to hire Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers

When you have decided to hire an attorney, you can feel confident we will not ask for any payment upfront. We accept Dallas bus accident claims on a contingency fee basis.

Contingency fees mean that unless and until we are successful in obtaining a settlement on your behalf, you will not owe any attorney fees to Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers. If we are successful, our fee comes out of the final settlement or award amount.

You may need to pay specific fees such as filing fees, document prep fees, or other fees, but we will disclose those amounts to you upfront to avoid surprises. Our retainer agreement will include details about our final payment and fees you may be responsible for paying.

Contact Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a Dallas bus accident, you need to seek legal counsel. Whether you were a bus passenger, the driver or passenger in another motor vehicle involved in an accident, or you were operating a bicycle or motorcycle and suffered an injury, you deserve compensation for the expenses of your injury and the pain and suffering it caused. Moreover, when you hold someone accountable for what they did to you, you can change their behavior and ensure they don’t do the same thing to someone else.

Who should you call?

The legal team of Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers, is nationally recognized for protecting the rights of injured victims for more than 20 years. If a Dallas bus accident injured you, call our office right now for a free consultation! Because we take all of our bus accident cases on a contingency fee basis, you will not owe us a dime unless we win your case. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so call us today at 800-898-4877 or contact us now by clicking here and find out your options to get compensation for your injuries.