Bus accident cases in Dallas implicate a distinct body of law. Common carriers — DART buses and light rail, Dallas ISD school buses, charter bus companies, Megabus and Greyhound lines, and private shuttle operators — owe passengers a heightened duty of care under Texas common law. A Dallas bus accident lawyer at McFarlane Law represents passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists hurt in bus incidents across Dallas County and the DFW metroplex.
Types of Dallas Bus Cases
Dallas bus cases fall into several categories with different legal frameworks. DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) operates buses and light rail across Dallas, Plano, Richardson, Garland, Rowlett, Irving, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, and adjoining suburbs — with vehicles involved in regular crashes affecting passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians. Claims against DART face notice-of-claim requirements and liability caps under the Texas Tort Claims Act. Dallas-area independent school districts (Dallas ISD, Plano ISD, Richardson ISD, Frisco ISD, Garland ISD, and others) operate large fleets with complex governmental-unit liability rules. Charter buses serving Dallas weddings, sports teams, and convention transport are fully commercial and subject to FMCSR. Megabus and Greyhound interstate carriers operating out of Dallas are federally regulated.
Common Carrier Duty Under Texas Law
Texas imposes the “highest degree of care” on common carriers toward passengers — a standard higher than ordinary negligence. This duty applies to DART, school buses, charter buses, and interstate carriers. Violation combined with the inherent danger of large-vehicle operations produces strong liability findings when passenger injuries occur. McFarlane Law pleads and proves common-carrier negligence in Dallas County courts using the Texas Pattern Jury Charge instructions (PJC 10.1B).
Governmental Immunity in DART and School Bus Cases
DART is a governmental unit subject to the Texas Tort Claims Act. Plaintiffs must provide formal notice of claim within 6 months of the incident, and damages are capped at $250,000 per person / $500,000 per occurrence. The TTCA’s motor-vehicle waiver means DART is liable for vehicle-operator negligence, but other theories (negligent training, negligent maintenance) face immunity barriers. Dallas-area school districts face similar TTCA limitations. Charter and private operators face no immunity or caps — these are often the largest Dallas bus cases. McFarlane Law identifies the correct framework at intake and preserves the TTCA notice window.
Investigating a Dallas Bus Crash
DART vehicles typically carry onboard video (often 8+ cameras), ELD/telematics, GPS logs, dispatch communications, and driver-assistance system records. Private charter and interstate buses have similar electronic evidence. McFarlane Law sends litigation-hold letters within 24 hours demanding preservation of video, ELD data, maintenance records, driver qualification files, and communications. For DART and school bus cases, we serve the formal Notice of Claim within the 6-month TTCA window. We subpoena Dallas Police Department/DPS crash reports, bystander cell phone video, and witness contact information before memories fade.
Related Practice Areas
Related Dallas subpages: Dallas car accident lawyer, Dallas truck accident lawyer. Hub: Dallas personal injury lawyer.
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Dallas bus accident cases — especially DART cases — have strict 6-month notice deadlines. Do not delay. (512) 222-4900 / (432) 803-5000. Free consult.
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Deep Experience in Dallas and Dallas County Courts
McFarlane Law has tried and settled cases across Dallas County, Collin County, Tarrant County, Denton County, and Rockwall County. Our attorneys know the Dallas Civil District Courts at the George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building, understand the DFW jury pools, and have worked with Dallas-area medical providers — Baylor Scott & White, UT Southwestern, Methodist Health System, Parkland — accident reconstructionists, and life-care planners on every case type covered in this silo. Dallas is the fastest-growing major metro in the country, with a distinctive mix of commercial trucking along I-35 and I-30, construction on billions of dollars in ongoing development, and high-volume everyday motor vehicle traffic on the LBJ Freeway, Central Expressway, and Dallas North Tollway. When we represent a Dallas client, we do it with the same preparation, resources, and courtroom depth we bring to every Texas personal injury case. Call (512) 222-4900 or (432) 803-5000 for a free consultation.
