San Antonio Bus Accident Lawyer

Buses play a critical role in transportation throughout San Antonio, providing affordable or free transportation by schools, public transit, or charter services. Yet, these vehicles can pose a critical safety risk due to their size and number of passengers they transport. Bus accidents are complex, high-stakes personal injury cases that can harm passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians. After a crash, you might be uncertain about your legal rights and where to turn for legal assistance.

The San Antonio bus accident attorneys at The Aguirre Law Firm, PLLC can review your case and explain if you are entitled to compensation for the medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages you suffered due to the bus accident. Contact us today for a free case review.

Why Choose The Aguirre Law Firm?

Bus accident cases involve highly complex legal concepts involving liability, qualified immunity, and indemnification. You need a San Antonio injury attorney who understands these concepts and knows how to win. Many parties could have been injured in a single accident, potentially limiting the compensation you can recover. What can make the difference between whether you recover compensation – or how much – is the lawyer you choose to handle your case.

The Aguirre Law Firm is the right choice because:

• We have over 20 years of experience handling personal injury cases in Texas.
• We have a perfect 10.0 rating on Avvo, demonstrating our commitment to client satisfaction.
• We come highly recommended by past and current clients. Check out our client testimonials.
• Our founder Alex Aguirre previously worked as an insurance defense attorney, providing unique insight into how the other side operates.
• Our team provides the personalized attention of a small firm but the results of a much larger firm.
• You owe us nothing unless we win.

Contact us today to speak to a San Antonio bus accident attorney passionate about delivering results.

How a Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help

When you hire our law firm to handle your San Antonio bus accident claim, we handle every aspect of your case from start to finish. This includes:

• Discussing your case during a free, no-obligation review in which we provide an honest assessment
• Investigating the details surrounding the accident and identifying all at-fault parties
• Gathering and analyzing critical evidence, including accident reports, event data recorders, photos and videos of the accident scene, witness statements, medical records, and maintenance records
• Hiring accident reconstruction experts and others whose testimony can further support your case or establish the full extent of your damages
• Handling communications and negotiations with insurance companies and other parties
• Fighting for maximum compensation in or out of the courtroom

You can learn more about how we can help when you call us for your free consultation.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents

One of the first steps to your bus accident case is determining what caused it so we can identify the parties responsible for your injuries. Bus accidents can occur for many reasons, including:

• Inexperienced drivers: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Texas state law strictly regulate bus operations throughout the state. Before transporting passengers, a bus driver must have a valid commercial driver’s license. Accidents may happen when bus companies hire drivers who are not properly licensed or trained. 
• Fatigued driving: Bus drivers may work long hours and be tired due to the noise and demands of their job. This fatigue can dull their senses and delay response times during critical times.
• Unsafe handling: Buses are larger than passenger vehicles and require careful handling. Similar to trucks, they also have large blind spots and higher centers of gravity making them more challenging to maneuver. Drivers may make too wide of turns, overcorrect, make unsafe lane changes, or make unsafe stops that cause accidents with motor vehicles in San Antonio.
• Not following rules of the road: Bus drivers may be inexperienced or may use the bigger size of other vehicles to blatantly violate road rules, putting others at extreme risk.
• Distractions: Whether a charter bus or school bus, buses transport many passengers. These passengers may distract the driver. Drivers can also be distracted by dispatch communications, cell phones, or other causes.
• Maintenance issues: Due to their size, any potential mechanical issue can have grave consequences for the many passengers inside a bus – and other road users. If bus repairs are not completed correctly or the bus is not regularly inspected, disastrous consequences can result.

Legal Liability for Bus Accidents

Various parties can be responsible for a bus accident. We can investigate your case to determine if one or more of the following parties are responsible:

Private Company

Many buses are operated by private companies or entities, such as:

• Private schools
• Bus companies
• Airport shuttle services
• Rental agencies
• Hotels
• Charter companies
• Party bus services
• Tour bus services

If you were injured in an accident with a bus operated by one of these companies, you may have a viable claim against them.

Employer

The driver may not work directly for the company that hired them to drive and may work for a separate employer. While the bus driver may be responsible for the accident, they may have limited means to pay for the damages they caused. Fortunately, a legal principle called respondeat superior holds their employer responsible for their negligent actions.

Government

If your bus accident involved a VIA Metropolitan Transit or public school bus, your legal claim may be against the government agency. Claims involving the government involve qualified immunity, special notice requirements, and reduced timelines, so it’s crucial you work with an attorney experienced in these matters.

Manufacturer

If a defective bus part or component contributed to the accident, you may have a product liability claim you can assert against the product manufacturer, designer, distributor, or retailer.

Mechanic

If faulty mechanical repairs played a part, your claim may be against the mechanic or company that provided mechanical services.

What Is the Deadline to File a Bus Accident Case?

The general statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas is two years. However, if the case is against the government, you could have as little as 90 days to assert your claim. Protect your rights by contacting an experienced San Antonio bus accident lawyer immediately.

Contact Our San Antonio Bus Accident Lawyers Today

At The Aguirre Law Firm, PLLC, we want to help you seek justice for the tremendous harm you’ve suffered due to someone else’s negligence. We know how to conduct thorough investigations, what evidence to gather, and which legal arguments to make to maximize our clients’ recovery. Call us today for a free consultation with an experienced San Antonio bus accident lawyer.