If you’ve been injured in a bus crash, an experienced Arlington bus accident attorney can help protect your rights and guide you through the legal process. According to the Federal Transit Administration’s National Transit Database, Trinity Metro reports more than 5 million annual passenger trips across Tarrant County.
With so many people relying on public and private transportation, even a single careless act can lead to a serious crash, leaving victims to cope with injuries, rising medical costs, and an uncertain future.
At Branch & Dhillon, P.C., our team is dedicated to supporting individuals and families in Arlington and throughout Tarrant County after major transportation accidents. We handle each case with close attention and strong advocacy, pursuing fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
To speak with a trusted Arlington, TX bus accident attorney, call us today at (817) 841‑9993 for a confidential consultation.
Arlington, TX Bus Accident Guide
- Experienced Arlington Bus Accident Attorney Handling Your Case
- The Complex Nature of Bus Accident Claims in Texas
- Investigating the Causes of Bus Accidents in the DFW Area
- Understanding the Value of a Bus Accident Claim
- Key Texas Laws That Can Affect Your Bus Accident Claim
- Take Action With an Experienced Arlington Bus Accident Attorney
Experienced Arlington Bus Accident Attorney Handling Your Case
After a serious bus collision, it can be difficult to focus on healing while fielding calls from insurance companies and trying to navigate the legal process. At Branch & Dhillon, P.C., our team takes on those challenges for you, giving you the space to concentrate on your health and your family.
From the moment you choose our firm, attorney Amar Dhillon personally oversees your case—whether the crash happened on I‑30, SH 360, or a busy Arlington roadway like Cooper Street or Pioneer Parkway.
Investigating Arlington Bus Accidents and Preserving Evidence
Key evidence can be lost quickly after a crash, so we act fast to secure records and data that strengthen your claim. Our team sends preservation requests to the bus company or the responsible agency to obtain information such as data from the bus’s onboard recorder, driver logs, maintenance records, and any available surveillance footage.
We speak with witnesses while their memories are still fresh and, when needed, collaborate with accident reconstruction experts who can piece together exactly how the crash happened.
Dealing With Insurance Companies After an Arlington Bus Crash
In many bus accident cases, more than one insurance carrier or legal team is involved, and each has its own interests in mind. These parties often request statements or offer quick settlements that don’t come close to meeting your needs.
When you work with our firm, we handle all of these interactions on your behalf. By managing every call, email, and letter, we shield you from constant demands and allow you to focus on recovering.
Calculating Damages in an Arlington Bus Accident Claim
We build each claim to reflect the full impact of the accident on your life, not just your current medical bills. Our team works with medical, financial, and vocational experts to account for future treatment, lost income, and changes to your day‑to‑day routine. We prepare every case as if it could go to trial, a strategy that often leads to stronger settlements during negotiations.
The Complex Nature of Bus Accident Claims in Texas
A collision involving a commercial or public bus is very different from an ordinary two‑car crash. The size and weight of a bus, the number of passengers involved, and the specific laws that apply to bus operators create additional layers of legal challenges. An experienced Arlington bus accident attorney at our firm understands how to navigate these issues and build a strong case for you.
Identifying Every Liable Party
In a typical car accident, one negligent driver is usually at fault. Bus accidents are often more complicated because responsibility can be shared by several parties. A thorough investigation is key to making sure every negligent party is included in your claim. Depending on the situation, liability may rest with:
- The Bus Driver: If distraction, fatigue, or traffic violations directly caused the crash.
- A Private Bus Company: Charter services, tour buses, or airport shuttles can be held accountable for poor hiring, training, or supervision.
- A Government Entity: Public transit authorities such as Trinity Metro or school districts like Arlington ISD may be liable, but claims against them follow strict legal rules.
- A Maintenance Company: If faulty repairs to brakes, steering, or other systems contributed to the wreck.
- A Parts Manufacturer: When a defective component, such as a brake system or tire, causes a crash.
- Another Motorist: In some cases, another driver’s negligence triggers the bus collision.
Our legal team examines every detail to uncover all contributing factors, giving you the strongest chance to recover full compensation.
The Higher Standard for Common Carriers
Under Texas law, certain transportation services are classified as common carriers. Buses, like trains and commercial airlines, fall into this category and are held to the highest level of care for their passengers. While an ordinary driver on a Fort Worth highway must use reasonable care, a bus operator is expected to exercise the highest level of caution and skill to protect passengers.
If a bus company or driver fails to meet this higher duty and someone is injured, they can be held legally responsible. This elevated standard often plays an important role in proving negligence in a bus accident case.
Government Liability and the Texas Tort Claims Act
When a public agency such as a city-operated transit system or a school district is involved, the legal process becomes even more challenging. Texas law gives many government entities protection from lawsuits through a doctrine called sovereign immunity. However, the Texas Tort Claims Act allows certain claims under specific conditions.
One of the most important requirements, outlined in Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 101.101, is providing formal written notice to the government entity within a limited time after the accident. In some cases, the deadline is as little as 90 days from the date of the crash. Missing this deadline can prevent you from pursuing compensation.
An Arlington bus accident attorney at Branch & Dhillon, P.C. is ready to guide you through these complex rules and fight for the recovery you need.
Investigating the Causes of Bus Accidents in the DFW Area
Every bus accident stems from some type of failure, and identifying that failure is the foundation of a strong legal claim. At Branch & Dhillon, P.C., our investigations focus on uncovering exactly what went wrong.
Sometimes the cause is a single mistake by a driver. Other times, deeper issues within the company or preventable equipment malfunctions are to blame. An experienced Arlington bus accident attorney on our team knows how to examine these factors and build a case for accountability.
Driver Error and Negligence in Bus Wrecks
Even professional drivers can make dangerous mistakes. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict safety rules for commercial drivers, yet violations occur far too often. Common forms of negligence include:
- Driver Fatigue: Tight schedules often push drivers to stay on the road longer than is safe, leading to slower reaction times and poor decision-making.
- Distracted Driving: Using a phone, adjusting navigation systems, eating, or interacting with passengers can take attention away from the road long enough to cause a crash.
- Lack of Proper Training: Inexperience on certain routes or in difficult weather and traffic conditions increases the risk of serious mistakes.
- Speeding or Aggressive Maneuvers: Operating a bus at unsafe speeds or making risky lane changes is especially hazardous given the size, weight, and blind spots of these vehicles.
When any of these unsafe behaviors lead to a collision, an experienced Arlington bus accident attorney can investigate the circumstances and hold the responsible driver and their employer accountable.
Systemic Failures by Bus Companies
Sometimes the problem goes beyond the driver. A company that prioritizes profits over safety can create widespread risks. This might involve hiring drivers without adequate background checks, providing minimal training, or failing to supervise employees properly.
Maintenance practices also play an important role in keeping buses safe on the road. Because these vehicles cover thousands of miles each year, they demand ongoing inspections and timely repairs.
When routine work such as brake replacements, tire care, or other mechanical upkeep is ignored, the risk of a serious mechanical failure rises significantly. According to public data from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), these maintenance‑related issues contribute to many bus accidents across the state.
Understanding the Value of a Bus Accident Claim
A serious injury from a bus wreck can change every part of your life. A personal injury claim allows you to seek financial recovery for those losses, which are divided into different types of damages. An Arlington bus accident attorney can guide you through this process and make sure your claim reflects the full scope of what you have endured.
Documenting Your Economic Damages
Economic damages refer to the financial losses that can be measured and proven with records. These include both past and future medical expenses, such as hospital bills, surgeries, therapy, medications, mobility aids, and any treatments you are expected to need later on.
They also cover lost wages and reduced earning capacity, which means not only the income you have already missed but also the difference between what you once could earn and what you are now able to earn after the accident. In addition, other out‑of‑pocket costs may be considered, including modifications to your home or vehicle, transportation for medical care, or paying for household help that you can no longer provide yourself.
Seeking Non‑Economic Damages
Non‑economic damages address the personal impact of a bus accident that cannot be calculated with receipts or invoices. They include pain and suffering, which covers the physical pain and ongoing discomfort caused by your injuries.
Mental anguish is also considered and reflects the emotional and psychological challenges you may face, such as anxiety, depression, or post‑traumatic stress. Physical impairment refers to lasting limitations that prevent you from enjoying activities that were once part of your life.
Disfigurement accounts for scarring or permanent changes to your appearance. Loss of consortium allows a spouse to seek compensation for the loss of companionship, support, and closeness that results from a serious injury.
Wrongful Death and Survival Actions in Texas
In the most tragic cases, a bus accident leads to the loss of a loved one. Texas law provides two legal avenues for recovery, as outlined in Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 71.
- Wrongful Death Claims: Surviving family members may pursue compensation for lost financial support, emotional distress, and the loss of companionship.
- Survival Actions: These claims are brought on behalf of the deceased person’s estate to recover damages they could have pursued, including medical expenses and conscious pain and suffering before death.
An Arlington bus accident attorney at Branch & Dhillon, P.C. can guide you through each of these steps, carefully investigate the cause of the crash, and pursue the full compensation available under Texas law.
Key Texas Laws That Can Affect Your Bus Accident Claim
Filing a claim is only the beginning. Several Texas laws play a direct role in how your case unfolds, and understanding these rules is important for protecting your rights and pursuing the compensation you are owed.
How Texas’s Proportionate Responsibility Rule Impacts Your Recovery
Insurance companies often attempt to argue that an injured person shares part of the blame for an accident. Texas applies a legal standard called proportionate responsibility, also known as modified comparative fault, as outlined in Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001.
Under this rule, you can still recover damages if you are found to be 50 percent or less responsible for the crash. However, your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if your damages amount to $100,000 and you are found 10 percent at fault, your compensation would be reduced to $90,000. If you are found 51 percent or more at fault, you cannot recover any compensation. Defense teams often rely on this law to reduce their liability, which is why having an attorney who can challenge unfair claims of fault is so important.
Understanding Texas’s Statute of Limitations for Bus Accident Lawsuits
Every state sets a strict deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits, known as the statute of limitations. In Texas, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of injury, as described in Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003.
Missing this two‑year deadline almost always means losing your right to pursue compensation. When the at‑fault party is a government agency, the time frame is even shorter because formal notice must often be given within a matter of months. Although there are rare exceptions, acting quickly is the best way to protect your legal rights.
Take Action With an Experienced Arlington Bus Accident Attorney
After an Arlington bus accident, you may be dealing with medical treatment, mounting expenses, and time away from work. While pursuing a legal claim cannot undo what happened, it can provide financial relief for medical care, lost wages, and other costs that follow a serious accident. Taking legal action also encourages safer practices for bus companies and drivers, helping protect others who travel in and around Arlington.
You don’t have to handle this process alone. The team at Branch & Dhillon, P.C. will guide you through each step, from investigating the crash to negotiating with insurance companies and building a strong case.
To speak with an experienced Arlington, TX personal injury attorney about your case, call (817) 841‑9993 today.
Branch & Dhillon, P.C. – Arlington, TX Law Firm
Address: 625 W Main St Arlington, TX 76010
Contact No: (817) 533-3430