If you suffered injuries in a Pearland bus accident, D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, can evaluate your case and help you determine your options for recovering compensation for your damages. We offer free consultations and handle all Texas bus accident cases on a contingency basis.
Call us today at 713-850-8600 to speak to a bus accident lawyer in Pearland.

What Damages Can I Recover After a Pearland Bus Accident?

Depending on how and why your bus accident injuries occurred—and who operated the bus—there could be some limits to the amount of damages you can recover after a crash. We can explain the laws applicable to your situation and fight for the maximum payout available based on the facts of your case.
Damages differ depending on a number of factors. If you suffered severe injuries in the crash, such as a head injury, you may be eligible for higher damages to cover your long-term medical care needs.
We commonly recover reimbursement for:

  • Medical expenses;
  • Ongoing care costs;
  • Lost wages from missed work;
  • Lost income and benefits, if you cannot return to work;
  • Related out-of-pocket expenses;
  • Property damage;
  • Pain and suffering; and
  • Wrongful death, if a loved one died in the bus crash.

We can help you understand any limits on your damages and work to find ways to help you pay your bills and make ends meet if your expenses exceed these limits. It is important to note that this is relatively rare and most people can recover the full value of their damages.

What If My Crash Involved a Public Bus?

While there are no public transportation options in Pearland, many residents use METRO to get around downtown Houston and other areas of Harris County. If you were in a crash while riding a METRO bus, there are a number of things to consider before you can file an insurance claim for compensation.

What Can I Do If Another Motorist Caused the Accident?

You will likely be eligible to file a third-party liability claim against the at-fault driver if you suffered injuries in an accident another driver caused. We can help you file this claim and fight for the compensation you deserve. We will also evaluate whether the bus driver or METRO contributed to the crash.

What If the Bus Driver Was to Blame for the Crash?

We can likely pursue compensation from Harris County if the bus driver caused a crash while you were riding on a METRO bus, or if a METRO bus driver collided with your car. However, since this type of claim involves a government agency, the Texas Tort Claims Act may limit how much we can recover on your behalf. In addition, the deadline to file a claim against Harris County is much shorter than in a third-party claim. We need to act quickly to ensure your right to compensation remains intact.

What If My Child Suffered Injuries in a School Bus Accident?

Like county agencies, school systems are also protected under the Texas Tort Claims Act. You may only be able to recover limited damages through this type of claim.
If your child suffered injuries in a school bus accident in Pearland, we may be able to help you hold the school system responsible. We will need to prove the bus driver caused the accident, navigate a complex claims process, and fight for a fair payout.
This also applies if the driver of a bus from another nearby school system caused a car accident involving your vehicle.

How Can I Recover Compensation If a Private Company Owned the Bus?

If the driver of a privately owned bus caused your crash, we can hold the company that owns or operates the bus liable for the damages the driver caused. This is possible because of vicarious liability. Under this legal theory, an employer is accountable for employees’ actions while they are working. This would extend to drivers behind the wheel of a bus.
If we can show the bus driver acted negligently and caused the accident, we can file a third-party insurance claim based on the company’s liability insurance policy. This policy is typically much larger than the liability policy an individual driver would carry. However, the bus company or its insurer will likely have a legal team fighting to reduce the amount it has to pay out to you.
That is why we will build a solid case for you and present the insurance company with the strongest evidence possible to prove your damages. If it refuses a fair settlement, we can pursue a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit in Texas?

We need to act quickly to identify the liable parties in your case. While you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit under the statute of limitations, you may only have a few months to hold a government agency liable.
In addition, we need to begin investigating your case as soon as possible in order to protect key evidence. Buses often have dash cams and onboard computers, as well as driver logs and maintenance records that can all play a key role in proving our case. However, all of this evidence is in the hands of the bus company or government agency. We need to send a spoliation letter to preserve and gain access to this evidence. If we do not send this demand in time, the bus company or government agency could destroy or discard this evidence.

How Can I Speak to a Pearland Bus Accident Attorney About My Case?

The bus accident team at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, is ready to go to work for you today. We can help you understand who caused your Pearland collision and explain your options for recovering your economic and non-economic damages. Call us at 713-850-8600 for a free case evaluation and consultation.