Texas Star Transit Accident Attorneys

CALL (800) 863-5312 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION WITH ONE OF OUR STAR TRANSIT ACCIDENT LAWYERS

STAR Transit is a public bus transportation service located in many different counties in Texas, providing over 235,000 rides per year. Although public transportation services are convenient, they are not infallible. With 65 vehicles operating for STAR, it is not surprising that accidents can happen.

If you have been injured by STAR, you may be entitled to compensation. Call a Zinda Law Group STAR Transit personal injury attorney to discuss your case. We have the experience necessary to guide you through the entire legal process. Call (800) 863-5312 today to speak with a knowledgeable Zinda Law Group personal injury attorney.  

COMMON CAUSES OF BUS ACCIDENTS

There are many different causes of public transportation bus accidents. The cause of the accident may be important in your case, as it may help to show fault. If the bus driver was drinking while driving, texting, or otherwise driving recklessly, you may be able to show negligence. This is important, as you must be able to show negligence to receive compensation for your injuries. Below are some common causes of bus accidents:

Driver Fatigue

Public transportation bus drivers often have long schedules and spend a significant amount of time behind the wheel. Long work schedules combined with a lack of sleep may cause the driver to become fatigued. Driving while fatigued may lead to slower reaction times and a decrease in decision-making abilities. This may easily lead to an accident with another vehicle. It is important to never drive any kind of motor vehicle if you are feeling overly tired or fatigued.

Driving Under the Influence

Bus drivers can also be caused when the driver drinks or takes other mind-altering substances while behind the wheel. Bus drivers take on a higher responsibility while behind the wheel when compared to other vehicles. This is due to the fact that bus drivers have several passengers on board that they have a duty of care for. If a bus driver decides to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they are putting many different lives at risk. No individual operating a motor vehicle should drive under the influence, for any reason.

Blind Spots

Although buses are equipped with specialized mirrors, they still may be left with blind spots. If a bus driver fails to check his or her blind spots before merging or turning, it may be held liable for any resulting accidents. Due to their large size, an accident with a bus may result in serious injury, or even death.

If you have been involved in an accident involving a bus driver, such as with a STAR Transit employee, you may be entitled to compensation. No matter the cause, call a Zinda Law Group personal injury attorney to discuss your case. Our experienced attorneys may be able to determine who is at fault and what your case may be worth.

PROVING NEGLIGENCE

To receive compensation, you must be able to show that someone owed you a duty of care, subsequently breached that duty, and that the breach caused your injuries. As a public transportation company, STAR Transit owes each one of its passengers a duty of care. Therefore, if you are injured while on a STAR Transit vehicle, the first element is met. However, if you are in a separate vehicle, you must be able to show that STAR Transit acted negligently in some way. Below are examples of different ways negligence can be shown against the bus company itself:

Improper Training

A bus line, such as STAR Transit, holds a certain amount of responsibility for the actions of its employees. For example, if the bus company fails to adequately train its employees, it may be held liable for any future accidents. If an employee is put behind the wheel of a vehicle without knowing how to do their job properly, the company may be held liable.

Improper Vetting

Along with training employees, the organization is also responsible for the hiring process. This may include checking the driving records and investigating any criminal history of each employee they hire. If the company is negligent in its hiring process, it may be held liable for any injuries the employee subsequently causes.

Maintenance Issues

Bus lines are also responsible for keeping their buses properly maintained. Failure to inspect and properly maintain the vehicles may lead to mechanical issues, causing an accident in the future. If it can be shown that the bus service was negligent in maintaining their buses, and this negligence caused you injury, you may have a claim against the company itself.

To receive compensation for your STAR Transit bus accident, you must be able to show negligence. There are many different ways to show negligence against the bus company itself, such as failure to inspect the buses or negligent hiring practices. If you have been injured, contact a Zinda Law Group personal injury attorney today. We have the ability necessary to investigate your case and may help determine who is at fault for your injuries.

POTENTIAL COMPENSATION

The potential compensation someone may be entitled to will vary from case to case. If you have been injured in an accident involving a public bus transportation company, you may be entitled to compensation. There are three main kinds of compensation, or “damages,” that you may be eligible for. These different kinds of damages are described below:

Economic Damages

The first kind of damages is referred to as “economic damages.” These damages are tangible and easily put into monetary terms. Economic damages are totaled by adding up bills, invoices, and other out-of-pocket expenses. These damages are meant to compensate the victim for their actual injuries and property damage. Economic damages include, but are not limited to:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Past and future lost wages
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Property damages
• Lost earning capacity.

Non-Economic Damages

The second type of potential damages is “non-economic damages.” Non-economic damages are not as concrete as economic damages and cannot easily be put into monetary terms. Typically, these damages are subjectively determined by a jury. Examples of non-economic damages may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish
• Humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment of life

If you have been the victim of a public transit accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries or property damage. A Texas personal injury attorney may help with your STAR Transit lawsuit. Our Zinda Law Group personal injury attorneys are here to help guide you through every step of the legal process. We are available to our clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact us today to discuss what your case may be worth.

LEGAL TIME LIMIT

To receive compensation for your injuries, you must file your claim within a certain amount of time. This time limit is referred to as the “statute of limitations” and varies from case to case and state to state. This time limit is extremely important, as you may be barred from receiving any kind of compensation if you fail to file your claim on time.

In Texas, you have two years to file your personal injury lawsuit to receive compensation. This means that you have exactly two years from the date of your injury to file your claim. Under the Texas Tort Claims Act, you must file notice of your claim within six months of the accident. Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney may put your mind at ease by helping you file your STAR Transit injury claim on time.

CONTACT OUR STAR TRANSIT PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

If you or a loved one has been injured by a public transportation service, such as STAR Transit, we may be able to help. Our experienced attorneys have helped many individuals seek compensation for their bus accident injuries. We have the knowledge and resources necessary to negotiate a settlement on your behalf or fight for you in front of a judge if a settlement cannot be made. Further, our attorneys have the resources necessary to build the strongest case possible to seek the maximum amount of compensation in your bus accident lawsuit.

If you have been injured by STAR Transit, contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Zinda Law Group to discuss your case. Our knowledgeable Texas lawyers may help investigate your case, discuss what compensation you may be entitled to, and fight on your behalf throughout the entire legal process. Further, we will cover all legal fees and costs in your case upfront. You only pay us if we win your STAR Transit lawsuit. That is our No Win, No Fee Guarantee. Call our Texas personal injury lawyers at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation.

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