The public transportation sector in Texas has dramatically changed how people move around cities, states, and towns. From greyhound buses, school buses, taxis, airport shuttles, and tour buses, public service vehicles (PSVs) are an alternative and affordable way to commute. They are heavily relied upon for travel without the burden of vehicle ownership.
However, with the ever-rising reliance on PSVs comes an increased risk of life-altering crashes. Driver fatigue, distracted driving, bad weather, mechanical failure, and inexperienced driving are some of the most prevalent causes of crashes involving PSVs.
Victims often face unexpected costs associated with property damage, medical treatment, rehabilitation, life adjustments, and lost income. This is where the assistance of a car accident lawyer in Mission Bend makes all the difference. Besides explaining your rights, they pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
Liability in Public Service Vehicle Accidents
Determining who to hold responsible for a traffic accident in Texas starts with identifying who acted negligently. All stakeholders in the transport sector, right from drivers, vehicle owners, vehicle manufacturers, and state agencies, have a duty of care to promote and enhance public safety.
Liability in a car accident entails proving that the circumstances of a crash were foreseeable and that someone breached their duty of care, resulting in injuries, property damage, or loss of life.
Because multiple parties are involved in a PSV accident, the fault may be shared among drivers, vehicle owners, government entities, vehicle manufacturers, and third parties as discussed below:
PSV Drivers
Common behaviors that make PSV drivers liable for accidents include drunk driving, failure to yield, road rage, speeding, and distracted driving.
All motorists have a duty of care towards passengers and other road users. Any action that violates this expectation amounts to a breach and may form the basis of a wrongful death lawsuit or personal injury claim.
Vehicle Manufacturers
Sometimes, drivers aren’t at fault for accidents involving public service vehicles. In other cases, brake failures, tire blowouts, and other forms of mechanical failure are to blame.
Vehicle owners, manufacturers, and maintenance companies may be held liable for related accidents. A personal injury lawyer in Mission Bend may help you file a product liability claim in such instances.
Government Entities
In accidents involving government-owned PSVs such as public-school buses and city shuttles, liability may fall on state or municipal agencies.
However, the claim process differs slightly from that of other car accident cases. The Texas Tort Claims Act imposes strict notice requirements, such as the timeframe within which victims must bring a claim forward and the damages recoverable.
A notice of claim must be filed within six months from the day of the accident, making a Mission Bend PSV accident lawyer beneficial in navigating these and other legal hurdles.
Third Parties
In many public service vehicle accidents, other road users are often at fault. It could be another driver, pedestrian, or biker. For example, if a motorist fails to yield to a PSV with the right of way and a collision occurs, then that motorist is deemed responsible for the crash.
Detailed investigations are necessary to demonstrate how a third party may have contributed to a PSV accident.
For a free legal consultation with a public service vehicle accident lawyer serving Mission Bend, call (832) 449-8230
How a PSV Accident Attorney May Help
Dealing with the aftermath of a crash involving a public service vehicle is a complex process, especially when multiple parties, such as corporations and government entities, are involved. A PSV accident lawyer in Mission Bend can be your strongest advocate in:
Identifying Responsible Parties
Public service vehicle accidents in Mission Bend often involve more than one negligent party. Your legal team will conduct investigations through witness statements, police reports, accident reconstruction, and traffic footage to determine who is at fault. No liable party will escape accountability.
Handling Insurance Companies
Insurance companies, through their adjusters, often employ bad-faith insurance tactics to limit the amount of money claimants receive.
If you are unrepresented, they will certainly minimize, delay, or deny your claim. An attorney will aggressively negotiate with insurers to recover the full cost of your damages.
Courtroom Representation
Although many car accident claims settle through out-of-court mechanisms, some go all the way to trial, particularly when insurers dispute damages or fault. A trial-experienced attorney will build a compelling case and apply their litigation skills to argue your case before a judge or jury effectively.
Mission Bend Public Service Vehicle Accident Lawyer Near Me (832) 449-8230
Injured in a Crash? Speak with Our Mission Bend PSV Accident Lawyers Now
If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a public service vehicle accident anywhere in Mission Bend, you may be eligible for compensation.
To be sure, you need to discuss your case with an experienced Mission Bend public service vehicle accident lawyer. Contact us now for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
Call or text (832) 449-8230 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form