After a Bus Accident, You Deserve Experienced Legal Support
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bus accident in Carrollton, you may be facing serious injuries, confusing insurance issues, and questions about who is responsible. O’Hare and Koch represent Dallas-area victims facing these challenges. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can begin investigating your bus accident and build your strongest claim for compensation.
Dangerous Carrollton Intersections for Bus Accidents
Certain intersections in Carrollton present heightened risks for bus crashes due to speed, congestion, and frequent lane changes. According to the Texas Department of Transportation Crash Records Information System (CRIS), drivers can review detailed crash data for busy Carrollton intersections like these:
- President George Bush Turnpike & Old Denton Road: A high-speed interchange where tight merges and sudden slowdowns often lead to sideswipes and rear-end crashes during peak hours.
- Marsh Lane & East Trinity Mills Road: A dense retail corridor with heavy pedestrian traffic; wide bus turns near crosswalks increase the risk of collisions from impatient or distracted drivers.
- Hebron Parkway & Marsh Lane: Traffic flow near churches, high-density residential and businesses can be unpredictable, and drivers frequently fail to yield to buses entering or exiting, resulting in angle or T-bone collisions.
- North Josey Lane & Frankford Road: Multiple turn lanes and complex signal timing create visibility challenges, leading to frequent misjudged movements around buses.
- I-35E Frontage Road & East Belt Line Road: Frequent on- and off-ramp activity requires abrupt lane changes, which can be particularly dangerous given buses’ slower acceleration and larger blind spots.
For broader context, TxDOT publishes annual crash statistics showing that Carrollton, like much of Dallas County, experiences thousands of motor vehicle collisions every year.
Whether you were a passenger on the bus, another motorist, a cyclist, or pedestrian, you may have a viable claim for compensation.
City, School, and Charter Bus Accidents
Not every bus accident is handled the same way. Procedural rules and liability issues may vary depending on the type of bus involved and the entity that operates it.
- City buses: Claims against DART or other municipal buses may be subject to limited liability issues and accelerated notice requirements under the Texas Tort Claims Act.
- School buses: Public school districts and private contractors must follow strict Texas DPS school bus safety protocols to protect children; DPS sets these standards with TEA’s advice under Education Code §34.002. The Texas Tort Claims Act limitations and notice requirements apply to Public School buses as well.
- Charter/private buses: Operators that transport passengers between states or across international borders (interstate carriers) must comply with both Texas and federal safety standards requiring qualified drivers and regular inspections. Violations often point directly to negligence.
Safety Standards and Negligence
Bus operators are considered common carriers under Texas law, meaning they owe passengers a higher duty of care than ordinary drivers. This means they must take extra precautions to protect the safety of those on board and others on the road. That duty includes adhering to safe driving practices by their drivers, providing proper driver training, and maintaining consistent vehicle inspections and regular maintenance.
When operators cut corners on safety — whether through undertrained or fatigued drivers, skipped inspections, or poor supervision — they can be held accountable for resulting harm.
Who May Be Liable After a Bus Crash
Bus accident claims are rarely limited to one negligent party. Responsibility may fall on a combination of parties:
- The bus driver – for negligent driving, fatigue, or impairment.
- The operating company, school district or contractor, for poor hiring, training, supervision or maintenance practices.
- Bus Maintenance contractors – if improper inspection or repair contributed to the crash.
- Roadway maintenance contractors, government agencies or property owners – if dangerous road or pavement conditions played a role.
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers – for defective brakes, tires, or safety systems.
- Other negligent motorists – whose reckless or distracted driving triggered the collision.
Because multiple insurance companies may be involved, liability disputes are common. Our attorneys will investigate and identify all potential defendants and handle the battles to hold them accountable.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Bus Crash?
The value of a personal injury claim is based on the damages you have experienced. Damages include the economic impact of the injuries and the negative non-economic effects:
- Medical expenses: ER care, hospital stays, surgeries, medication, therapy, and future treatment.
- Lost wages and earning capacity: Lost pay or PTO and diminished future earnings.
- Property damage: Vehicle and personal property losses.
- Physical pain and suffering: Discomfort, headaches, dizziness, nausea and insomnia.
- Emotional distress: Anxiety, fear, depression, stress and grief.
- Disfigurement: Scarring and other visible injuries.
- Disabilities: Long-term or permanent limitations.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Hobbies, activities, and personal experiences you can no longer fully enjoy.
Every case is different, and even “minor” injuries deserve careful evaluation. For real-world outcomes, review our case results.
How O’Hare and Koch Build Strong Claims Against Bus Companies and Drivers
Bus cases often involve multiple liable parties and technical evidence. We take a disciplined approach tailored to Texas negligence law and Carrollton road conditions:
- Rapid evidence preservation: We collect and secure scene video and photos, 911 and dispatch audio, bus GPS/telematics, event data recorders (“black box” data), driver qualification files, and maintenance records.
- Independent investigation: Police reports are only a starting point. We work with qualified experts (accident reconstruction, human factors, and medical professionals) to analyze causation and the mechanisms of injuries
- Comparative fault strategy: Texas uses comparative fault principles. We identify all responsible actors—private bus companies, municipal or school operators, maintenance contractors, manufacturers, and negligent third-party drivers—and allocate fault accordingly.
- Negotiation and litigation: We strive to secure resolutions that reflect the full value of your claim for damages. If we cannot settle your case through negotiation, we are ready to take your case to trial to ensure your result is fair.
- Statute of limitations: In most cases, you have two years from the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas. Claims involving government-operated buses may include shorter notice rules. Acting promptly helps protect your rights.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Carrollton Bus Accident Attorney
If you were injured in a bus accident, call the injury attorneys at O’Hare and Koch. We offer free, confidential consultations and charge no fees unless we recover compensation for you. If you retain our counsel, you can expect transparent and prompt communication, straightforward legal guidance, and compassionate advocacy throughout the entire process.
Call O’Hare and Koch today to learn more about your options and take the first step toward justice.