Bus Accident Lawyer Houston, TX

Whether you are traveling in a personal vehicle, sharing the roads with buses, or utilizing the Houston metro to avoid rush-hour traffic, you may be at risk of harm in a bus-related crash. You may sustain serious injuries that require you to file a bus accident claim to recover your medical expenses and lost income. When this happens, you need an experienced Houston personal injury lawyer from a reputable law firm.

At Farah Law, we have over 15 years of experience protecting people’s rights in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. You should not be left to bear the burden of your losses when someone else is at fault, and you need a law firm you can trust. Our Houston bus accident lawyers will investigate your case, determine the at-fault party or parties, and fight for your right to compensation.

What Causes Bus Accidents?

The causes of bus accidents are not always unique to buses and may be the same as those of any other motor vehicle accident. The specific combination of factors that cause an accident is unique to each case. However, there are contributing factors and causes that are more commonly seen, such as:

Driver Negligence

The concept of driver negligence encompasses a wide range of behaviors. This most commonly includes reckless driving, distracted driving, speeding, or similar behaviors. In some cases, this may include a bus driver or other motorist who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Driver Error

Driver error can include driver distractions, drowsy driving, inadequate training, or unfamiliarity with the route. Depending on the circumstances, both the driver and their employer may bear liability for your injuries.

Third-Party Negligence

While the driver holds primary responsibility in most accidents, the liability of a third party in certain types of bus accidents should not be overlooked. This may be relevant in situations where a defective part or mechanical failure causes an accident.

While a product defect may not be one of the most common causes of a Houston bus accident, it is not unprecedented. Causes like those mentioned above may result from manufacturer error or negligent maintenance practices that are beyond the scope of the driver.

Common Bus Types Involved in Collisions

When discussing the causes of bus accidents, the type of bus involved can be relevant. For example, fatigue from a cross-country trip is unlikely to cause school bus accidents but may be relevant in accidents involving a Greyhound bus or charter bus.

Other types of buses we may see in Houston bus accidents include city buses or public buses contracted by bus companies to provide public transportation. For example, the METRO bus system operates more than 1,200 buses across its extensive route network.

As the largest district in the state, the Houston Independent School District is home to 247 schools, each with multiple buses, resulting in more school buses than even the METRO system.

How Often Do Buses Crash?

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) collects data regarding crashes across the state. In the most recent reporting year, buses accounted for less than 1% of all Texas accidents. TxDOT reports that 4,190 of the more than 1 million reported accidents in Texas are bus accidents. Just over half of these occurred in urban areas, such as Houston.

In the same reporting year, TxDOT reported 18 fatalities in bus accidents. One of these fatalities resulted from a school bus accident, while the remaining 17 were from other types of buses, such as METRO, Greyhound, charter, or other forms of public transportation.

Bus crashes occur daily, but they are less common than standard car accidents. In addition, the fatality rates are much lower than those of car or motorcycle accidents. Of the many causes of bus accidents, distracted driving is often one of the most common, whether by the bus driver or other drivers.

What to Do if You Are in a Bus Crash

The immediate aftermath of a bus accident can be chaotic due to the number of people involved and the likely size difference between the vehicles involved. The data from TxDOT reports around 1,159 bus accident injuries and fatalities. The severity your injuries may affect how you choose to proceed, if you are able. However, there are a few crucial steps you should take following a bus accident.

Call 911

Calling 911 after a bus accident can support you in two ways. First, it ensures that EMS will arrive to provide medical care for any injuries. Second, police will arrive on the scene to ensure safety and file a report, which provides critical documentation that may benefit your case later.

Seek Medical Attention

Even if your injuries are not immediately evident, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after the accident. Injuries may take hours or even days to manifest.

Immediate medical attention may help identify hidden injuries and help you understand what to look for regarding injuries that may arise. Early identification of a bus accident injury can assist your personal injury attorney in handling your insurance claim.

Take Photos

Photos and videos are often crucial evidence and can provide valuable information about the accident and how it occurred. Clear images of skid marks on the road, any nearby damaged structures, and your injuries may all support your injury claim and help establish the liability of the responsible party.

Organize Your Documents

When your personal injury attorney investigates your case and begins gathering the necessary documents, it can be helpful if you have them organized in a file. This can provide supporting evidence of your involvement in the accident. For example, you may present your bus pass, records from an electronic transit app, and phone records showing your location at the time of the accident.

Additionally, it can be helpful to document your financial losses by keeping any invoices or bills organized to present when discussing damages.

Pursuing Compensation After A Bus Accident

A bus accident can cause serious injuries, prompting you to pursue compensation for those damages. At Farah Law, we handle injury cases ranging from moderate injuries like broken bones to catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or amputations.

All of these cases require financial relief from those responsible for the accident. It is vital to examine all aspects of the case to determine how much to ask for damages. The factors that affect compensation can include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Loss of consortium

In the case of serious injuries, the costs of treatment and rehabilitation can amount to tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars. We are committed to seeking justice and compensation for accident victims. You should not have to bear the financial burdens of someone else’s negligence.

Wrongful Death in a Bus Accident

In the tragic event that you have lost a loved one in a bus accident, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Sec. 71.001, direct relatives may pursue damages in this way. This includes a surviving spouse, children, or parents of the deceased.

Medical Bills After a Houston Bus Accident

Medical bills make up a significant portion of a claim for compensation in bus accident injury cases handled by Farah Law. Not only are medical bills often a key factor for the claims, but damages such as pain and suffering are also calculated based on the extent of your injuries and medical bills.

Our legal team may use these bills to support your claim with the insurance company in an effort to recover the maximum compensation available. Negotiations with insurance companies can be lengthy. This is due to their goal of paying out as little as possible, often offering amounts far below what may be considered fair compensation. However, our legal team will fight to ensure you receive fair and full compensation. You have legal rights, and we are here to protect them.

Contact a Houston Bus Accident Lawyer Today

A Harris County bus accident can be devastating, leaving you with debilitating pain and suffering. You should not have to navigate the situation without the support of a Houston bus accident attorney, and with Farah Law in Houston, you don’t have to.

We offer a case review to help you understand your rights when you contact us to schedule a free consultation. Legal representation is essential when facing insurance companies and their legal teams. You deserve fair compensation for your pain and suffering, and we will fight for it. Call us today.