Accidents involving Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) bus or MetroRail trains are more common than many realize. The nature of public transportation makes the vehicles used potentially more dangerous than a typical car. This increased danger leads to a greater risk of injury. Austin area residents injured in such accidents should contact a personal injury attorney immediately. The process of bringing a claim against the correct entities can be complicated, and you may need an Austin bus or rail accident lawyer experienced in this area of law to assist you with the process.
Bringing Claims against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Bringing a lawsuit against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, often known as “Capital Metro” or "CapMetro,” can be a complicated process. The process is complicated because CapMetro typically does not employ its own drivers and, instead, uses labor from outside agencies. This means that one may need to bring suit against the vehicle operator, the agency/company employing the operator, and possibly CapMetro itself. It is crucial that you hire an attorney familiar with this area of law as failing to name all responsible parties may lead to an inability to recover damages.
One who has been in a CapMetro accident must identify all responsible parties as soon as possible. The parties responsible will likely include the bus driver if he or she was negligent. Another responsible party would be the agency or company which directly employed the driver. This is due to the fact that employers are generally responsible for the acts of their employees and may also be liable for negligent hiring or negligent supervision. Finally, CapMetro itself may be responsible if they were aware of a dangerous situation such as a driver having been hired even though he or she had a poor driving history. Understanding how different parties may be liable is crucial in such a case.
Once retained, our legal team will immediately begin identifying the responsible parties in your public transit accident case. These efforts will include conducting research through the Secretary of State and through CapMetro itself. Once the responsible parties have been identified, we will begin the process of demanding payment for your damages. If a settlement cannot be reached, we will bring a lawsuit in court on your behalf. We will keep you up to date throughout the process and ensure that you know what to expect as the case moves forward. Contact us today to speak with our Austin bus and rail accident lawyers.
Hire the Best Austin Bus Accident Attorney for Maximum Compensation
According to TruckInfo, in 2024 Texas saw 1110 bus accidents and these found their way into the official reporting channels. There may be many more accidents that didn’t get reported and the victims are still suffering from the consequences.
Have you ever been in a bus accident and didn't get the due compensation? It’s obvious that you didn’t hire the best Austin bus accident attorneys from DJC Law.
One bus accident can turn your life upside down. In addition to the costly treatment, there are missed work days, enduring pain, and facing all sorts of difficulties to perform even the most trivial jobs in your life.
Don’t you think that fair compensation is due on your account for your loss and sufferings? It’s time you get in touch with the best Austin bus accident lawyers and get your life back on track.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Austin Texas
A knowledgeable bus accident attorney in Austin will pay attention to the cause of the accident as it has a significant impact on the litigation and can even determine the outcome. So, here are the most common causes for bus accidents in Austin;
- Distracted Driving: Every state transport code prohibits use of handheld devices while driving, including Texas. Negligence on the part of the driver in this regard can lead to accidents.
- Driver Fatigue: Every responsible organization sets a fixed hours of service. Drivers ignoring these guidelines for stamping some extra hours to earn more can experience fatigue. Drivers ignoring the fatigue warning signs and continuing to drive can be held accountable and so can their employers.
- Impaired Driving: The laws regarding Driving With Influence (DWI) and Driving Under Influence (DUI) are strict. Bus drivers who are found impaired during driving, especially after they have hit a car, pedestrian, etc. or caused an accident in any way can face criminal charges and civil liability.
- Poor Judgement and Violation of Traffic Laws: When drivers fail to yield, overspeed, and run red lights, all of these are clear violations according to the Texas traffic laws. However, only expert Austin bus accident attorneys can identify the cause and make it stand in the court ensuring compensation for the victims.
- Mechanical Failures: Brake fail or tire blowouts can also lead to accidents. The fact that it happened is reason enough for a DJC Law bus accident attorneys in Austin to establish the grounds of negligence. Our lawyers drill deep to prove that any mechanical issue was a known problem but was ignored.
- Road Conditions: In case a bus accident happens due to a bad road, the government is liable to pay as they are responsible for maintaining safe roads. Your bus accident lawyers in Austin must use the Texas Tort Claims Act in this regard to establish who’s at fault and get you the deserving compensation.
Even the slightest mistake can be a reason for a bus accident and if you have been a victim of such negligence on anyone’s part, we will help you.
Types of Compensation Accident Victims can Get
When compared to other mediums of transportation, buses are considered safe. Their speed is fixed, there’s a separate lane dedicated for buses, and the drivers receive extensive training. Still, if and when accidents happen, you need to first get medical attention and the next step should be to get in touch with anyone at DJC Law.
We have the best bus accident lawyers in Austin and can get you the following types of compensation in rightful claims;
- Medical expenses to cover the existing and future costs.
- Income for lost wages as you will need some time off from the job depending on the injury.
- Claims for pain and suffering you have suffered because of someone else’s fault.
- Expenses for repairing the damage to your property.
- Wrongful death claims in case the unspeakable happens.
- Loss of enjoyment of life and ability to provide for the family.
- Loss of a loved one and a family member.
- Loss of consortium.
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement.
- Lost income due to the inability to work or take high-paying jobs.
How can DJC Law’s Austin Bus Accident Lawyer Assist Accident Victims?
The consequences of bus accidents can be severe, especially considering the height and weight of the bus. The impact a bus can have when striking a car, motorcycle, pedestrian or even a property can be devastating.
Injuries in a bus accident can range from minor cuts to bruises, broken bones, spinal cord damage, brain injuries, and in the worst case scenario, a fatality.
We recommend you contact the best bus accident lawyer in Austin, the likes of which you will find at DJC Law. Here’s how we can help;
- Collect Evidence: Your bus accident attorney in Austin will collect and assess relevant information related to the incident. This includes time-sensitive traffic cam footage, eyewitness accounts, video footage, photos, medical reports, doctor statements, and police reports.
- Build a Case: With the information in hand, the DJC Law’s Austin bus accident lawyers will try to find who’s at fault and structure the entire case in proving the fault. Through this, we will also prove that the victims are owed a standard of care and negligence on the driver, government, or any third-party’s part has led to losses.
- File a Claim: A team of expert Austin bus accident lawyers will reach out to the responsible entities and ask them to settle our claim. If they agree, we are happy that we have helped our client get fair compensation. If not, we will take them to court to protect your rights and get you the deserving claim.
In bus accident cases, the faster you take action the better it is for us to establish a strong case while all the evidence is still fresh. So, if you, anyone in your family or friends have been a victim of a bus accident, take this moment to reach out to the best bus accident attorneys in Austin.