You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one has been involved in a bus accident. You can file a Texas tort claim against the government that owns and operates the bus line.
You will want to submit a notice of claim as soon as possible after the accident. This initial notification has to be sent on time to ensure your tort claim is not thrown out.
Reckless Drivers
Buses are popular transportation in Houston, Texas, saving passengers time and fuel. Unfortunately, they also put a lot of people at risk in the event of an accident.
Reckless drivers can cause bus crashes. Whether they are driving the wrong way down the street, passing a stopped bus, or putting their vehicles in the path of a bus, reckless drivers can lead to severe injuries and death.
If you were injured in a bus accident, you might be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. However, you must be aware of the legal complexities of filing a claim against a bus company or driver.
A Houston metro bus accident lawyer will help you understand your legal rights and guide you through filing a claim against the party that caused the crash. We will also determine how much you should expect to recover from your claim so that you can adequately compensate for your losses.
Our experienced bus accident lawyers are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve so that you can focus on healing and recovering from your injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our team.
One of Houston’s most common causes of bus accidents is reckless driving by other drivers. This negligence can result in severe injuries, including head injuries, spinal injuries, internal organ damage, burns, disfigurement, and even death.
Reckless drivers can also cause bus collisions with pedestrians. If a bus driver fails to yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks, they can face criminal charges for their actions.
Similarly, school bus drivers often report dangerous behaviors by other motorists around their buses. In Staunton, for example, bus drivers filed 136 reports of cars passing a stopped bus since the 2017-18 school year began. Nearly 50 drivers had been charged as of mid-October, putting the number on track to top last year’s numbers by Christmas.
The underlying reasons for these accidents vary widely, but some are related to the behavior of bus drivers. For example, a driver who is a habitual drinker and drug user is likely to become reckless and inattentive when behind the wheel. Additionally, drivers distracted by their phones, video games, and other activities can cause bus collisions.
Inattentive Bus Drivers
These inattentive bus drivers often have other things on their minds and do not pay attention to their surroundings. This can lead to accidents with other vehicles and pedestrians. In addition, these bus drivers may need better driving skills that make them unable to control the buses safely.
Inattentive driving is a significant problem in the United States. It has led to numerous accidents involving other vehicles and injuries to passengers. It is essential to understand that inattentive driving can be a form of negligence that can result in financial compensation for those whose actions of a negligent or reckless bus driver have injured.
It is critical for those involved in a bus accident to collect all the information they can about the crash to take the proper steps to ensure the case is successful. This includes everything from the accident scene to the witnesses.
This will help the police investigators to piece together what happened and who was responsible. In addition, it will help them determine the driver’s and their employer’s liability.
Distractions and bad weather are two of the most common causes of bus accidents. These factors can profoundly impact the safety of the buses and their passengers.
The most common distractions that can lead to accidents are texting, watching videos, and talking on a phone. Some bus drivers have even been caught watching television while operating their buses with students on board.
Other types of distractions are the actions of other passengers on the bus. This can include talking loudly or fighting with each other, which can be dangerous for the bus and its passengers.
Some inattentive drivers may be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. If this is the case, they can be arrested and charged with drunk or drugged driving. These offenses are severe and can lead to a significant amount of financial damage for the victims who have been injured in the crash.
Bus Accidents in Houston County
Buses are a popular way to get around cities and towns across the country. These vehicles transport millions of passengers daily, providing a convenient and cost-effective means to travel to school, work, or other destinations. However, they can also cause severe injuries in a crash.
When a bus is involved in an accident, it’s essential to call for emergency services as soon as possible. This will allow police to investigate the crash and make an accurate accident report. This can prove helpful later if you pursue a personal injury case.
One of the most serious types of bus accidents involves rollovers. These can cause severe injury or death if the driver is not attentive to their surroundings and lose control of their vehicle.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a bus accident, it’s crucial to speak with an experienced Houston metro bus accident attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you determine whether the accident resulted from negligence by a bus driver or another party.
According to data from the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 2,975 bus accidents statewide in 2016. Of those, 457 people sustained injuries, and 26 suffered severe injuries. The most common injuries involved trauma to the head, neck, back, and shoulder.
In a recent bus accident, 13 children were transported to hospitals after the church bus overturned on its side in northeast Harris County. Investigators say the bus was traveling on a busy road when it hit a guardrail off the highway.
The woman driving the Buick LeSabre that crashed into the school bus said she was attempting to avoid another vehicle that she thought was drifting into her lane. She also claims she showed no signs of alcohol or other drug use.
In January 2018, Shalita Jackson Harris was driving her school bus down Forrest Park Drive in Houston County when she overturned the vehicle. This fatal accident killed six-year-old Arlana Haynes and injured several other students. A jury found her guilty of homicide by vehicle in the first degree and reckless driving.
Pedestrians Injured in Bus Accidents
A large portion of bus crashes involve passengers and pedestrians, and this is a severe problem. The sheer size and weight of buses can cause intense damage to multiple vehicles, people, and property when a crash occurs. Because of this, drivers must remain focused on their driving while also being aware of their surroundings.
When buses are involved in pedestrian accidents, the risk of fatal injury is significantly higher. This is due to several factors, including:
The first reason is that bus crashes are generally more severe than those involving other types of vehicles, and because of this, the people involved may be seriously injured. This can make it difficult for them to recover from their injuries, and they may have to live with their accidents’ physical and financial consequences for a long time to come.
Another reason that bus accidents are more likely to be fatal is that they typically involve many people at once. This can make it difficult for a driver to stop or avoid a collision without hitting other people, as well as make it difficult for them to see if someone is injured.
Finally, because bus companies are public entities, they are subject to limitations on liability when they are sued for an accident. This is why it is essential to hire an experienced Houston metro bus accident lawyer who can help you seek damages from the liable party.
Regardless of the type of bus you were riding, or whether you were hit by the bus or another vehicle, an experienced Houston bus accident attorney will work to help you pursue all liable parties for financial recovery. This can be an extremely effective way to get the compensation you deserve and ensure you have all the resources you need for medical care, rehabilitation, and even lost wages when your injury prevents you from working.
At Joe I. Zaid & Associates, our experienced Houston bus accident attorneys know that the legal system can be complicated. Regarding bus crashes, this is especially true because there are often several liable parties who share liability. This can make it difficult for you to obtain financial recovery. Still, with the help of an experienced Houston metro bus accident lawyer, your case can be handled quickly and effectively.