Laredo Bus Accident Attorney
Accidents involving commercial buses regularly result in severe injuries and extensive property damage for those involved. At Nevárez Law Group, our team is here to help if you need a Laredo bus accident attorney by your side. If the crash was caused by the negligent actions of a bus driver or bus carrier, we will work diligently to recover total compensation for your losses. Our attorneys have no problem standing up to aggressive insurance carriers to ensure that you are cared for every step of the way.
Why Use A Laredo Bus Accident Attorney From Nevárez Law Group?
- At Nevárez Law Group, our Laredo accident attorneys and staff combine technical skills with legal experience to achieve significant results for our clients.
- We are not afraid to go head-to-head with other individuals, insurance carriers, or companies to secure maximum compensation for our clients.
- We handle Laredo bus accident claims on a contingency fee basis. This means that clients will not have to pay any upfront or out-of-pocket costs for their case, and they will owe no legal fees until after we recover compensation for their losses.
Do You Need an Attorney for a Bus Accident Case in Laredo?
Bus accident claims can become incredibly challenging, particularly when it comes to gathering the evidence needed to prove liability, unlike some car accidents in Laredo. At-fault bus companies or government entities regularly put up roadblocks when it comes to paying out compensation. A skilled accident lawyer in Laredo with knowledge of bus accidents will use their resources and the court system to uncover all evidence needed to prove liability.
An injury attorney in Laredo will also make sure that their client is evaluated and treated by a trusted medical professional. Throughout this process, an attorney will negotiate with all parties involved to recover a fair settlement offer, but they will also prepare the claim for trial if they have to.
Types Of Bus Accident Claims In Laredo
There are various types of buses and bus transportation options in and around the Laredo area, and these can give rise to various types of claims:
- Public transportation bus claims: Involves accidents with city or municipal buses operated as part of public transit systems.
- Private and charter bus claims: Pertains to incidents involving buses operated by private companies or those chartered for specific trips.
- Tour bus claims: Relates to accidents involving buses used for sightseeing or guided tours.
- School bus claims: Concerns incidents with buses used for transporting students to and from educational institutions.
- Van/bus hybrid claims: Addresses accidents involving smaller, mixed-use vehicles that function as a cross between a van and a bus.
What is a Common Carrier and how Does it Affect My Claim?
One phrase that is going to come up in the aftermath of a bus accident that you may be unaware of is “common carrier.” A common carrier is a special type of vehicle that individuals use for work or commercial purposes. This can include carrying cargo or carrying paying passengers. Across the state of Texas, thousands of common carriers cross the roadways every day.
Common carriers are required to obey stricter rules and regulations than other types of vehicles. Getting into an accident with a common carrier means that the claims process will look different. Buses are certainly considered common carriers in Texas. This includes public or private buses as well as school buses, tour buses, and airport and hotel shuttle buses. These same rules apply to semi-truck drivers. Reach out to our truck accident lawyers in Laredo to learn more.
The duty of care that common carriers have to prevent collisions is higher than for standard drivers in Texas. Failing to uphold this higher duty of care constitutes negligence, and a negligent common carrier will likely owe compensation if they cause harm to others.
If death was involved due to a bus accident, please reach out to our wrongful death lawyers in Laredo.
Causes Of Laredo Bus Accidents
Bus accidents can occur in a wide variety of ways, and information available from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows that bus driver’s actions contribute to a major percentage of collisions across the US. Some of the negligent actions of bus drivers that commonly cause accidents include:
- Driving while distracted
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving while impaired
- Speeding
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Following others too closely
- Improper turning or lane changes
However, driver error is not the only cause of bus accidents. Other common causes include vehicle or equipment malfunctions, adverse weather conditions, poorly maintained roadways, and the actions of others on the roadway.
Bus Accident-Related Injuries
Laredo bus accidents often lead to major injuries not only for those inside the bus but also those in other vehicles affected by the accident. In many cases, the injuries are relatively minor, but that is not always true. Bus accidents can, and do, regularly cause the following:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Facial or head injuries
- Fractured or dislocated bones
- Internal bleeding
- Vital organ damage
- Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
These traumatic injuries can occur to any individual involved in an accident with a bus, including passengers on the bus, drivers and passengers in other vehicles, as well as bystanders such as pedestrians and bicyclists.
Aside from the horrific traumatic injuries that can occur as a result of a bus accident in Laredo, we also want to acknowledge the intense emotional and psychological harm that victims could endure as a result of the injuries and the recovery process. These less visible injuries, such as emotional and psychological pain and suffering, must be accounted for and included in the final settlement request from the at-fault party.
Who Is Liable In A Laredo Bus Accident?
There may be various parties who could be held liable after a bus accident occurs. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- A bus company: If the bus involved in the accident was operated by a private transport company, one that exchanges the transportation of persons for payment, then the bus company could most certainly be held liable. Bus companies in these situations are considered “common carriers,” which means they hold a heightened duty of care to those under their responsibility.
- A government entity: Government entities could be held responsible for a bus accident if they are directly responsible for the bus involved or regulating the boss involved in the incident. If an accident involving public transportation buses occurs, government entities may be the party facing a claim.
- A school district: School districts are technically going to be government entities in most situations, though private schools could also be held liable if a bus accident occurs. School buses are used not only to transport children from point A to point B to and from school but also for various other school activities throughout the day.
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers: If a defective vehicle or defective part of a bus caused an accident, then the manufacturers of the vehicle or individual faulty part could hold liability for the bus accident. Speak to a product liability lawyer in Laredo to learn more.
- Mechanics: Finally, mechanics or companies involved in the overall maintenance of the bus could hold liability if their actions contributed to any fault that caused the accident.
Steps To Take After A Bus Accident
If you or somebody you care about is involved in a bus accident in Laredo, there are several steps you can take to help protect the integrity of your claim and to ensure your well-being.
- Medical care: Your number one priority after a bus accident of any kind must be to seek medical treatment. Seeking prompt medical care not only establishes a strong link between the bus accident and any injuries you sustained. This also helps ensure doctors can perform an evaluation to uncover any possible hidden injuries you may not know about.
- Reporting the incident: Any bus accident should get reported to the police so they can come to the scene and conduct an initial investigation. When you file your claim against the alleged negligent party, the insurance carrier will need to see the accident report.
- Preserving evidence: You may be able to gather some evidence at the scene of the incident, such as photographs of the surrounding area and property damage. However, another important task you can accomplish at the scene is obtaining contact information of any person involved in the incident as well as any eyewitnesses. If you see any cameras, make a note of them so you can talk to your attorney about obtaining surveillance footage later.
- Contacting an attorney: Speak to a bus accident attorney soon after the incident occurs. These claims become challenging, with many different layers involved in obtaining compensation. An attorney can cut through a lot of the static to help ensure you are treated fairly.
Continuing medical care. Continue all medical treatment your doctor recommends until a medical professional determines you no longer need treatment. If you discontinue care early, insurance carriers involved in the case could limit your total compensation payout.
Contact a Laredo Bus Accident Attorney Immediately
If you or a loved one have been injured due to the negligent actions of a bus driver or bus carrier in the Laredo, Texas, area, let the team at Nevárez Law Group step up and help you with your claim. We have the resources necessary to fully investigate every aspect of these claims. We know what it takes to stand up to bus companies and government bus carriers to help you recover total compensation for your losses. When you need a Laredo bus accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling us at (830) 776-7003.
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