Buses crisscross the city of Houston every day. From the public transportation system to private bus services and public school buses, buses help get Houston students and citizens from one place to another and are an increasingly popular and affordable transportation option. However, these mammoth vehicles can be dangerous and cause significant accidents.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that in 2017, 229 fatal crashes involved busses in the U.S. During the same time frame, buses were involved in 15,000 injury crashes. In Texas, the Texas Education Agency recorded 943 school bus accidents during the 2020-21 school year alone. While buses are an excellent way to transport large groups of people to a single location, without the right tools, maintenance, and education for drivers, buses can be deadly.
Not only can bus accidents cause devastating injuries, but they can also be notoriously complex. In many cases, more than one person or entity may be responsible for causing the accident. This situation makes recovering compensation challenging for bus accident victims. At The DJF Law Firm, PLLC, our skilled legal team has experience navigating complicated cases such as these.
If you’ve been involved in a Houston bus accident, contact The DJF Law Firm, PLLC today. Our seasoned legal team can review your case and help you pursue the compensation you deserve. For a free case evaluation, call us at 832-529-3476.
Yes. Bus accidents are complicated. Bus operators may be government entities or massive private transportation companies. In either case, these entities have power and resources, including teams of lawyers and insurers protecting the best interests. Gaining fair compensation for your injuries after an accident involving a bus can be challenging.
You need a skilled and experienced lawyer on your side, protecting your rights and fighting to obtain the money you need to recover from your injuries. A Houston bus accident attorney can immediately investigate the cause of an accident and identify all liable parties involved. An attorney can also gather vital information about the cause of the accident before it is lost or destroyed. An attorney can also help you by:
Holding a large company or government entity responsible for careless behavior can be complicated. Before you sign anything or accept a lowball settlement offer, seek the assistance of an experienced Houston bus accident attorney. Give yourself the best chance possible at recovering the money you deserve after an accident.
All too often, the cause of bus accidents boils down to just one thing: human error. Careless behavior, reckless driving, or a lack of education can contribute to a significant bus accident. Some of the most common causes of Houston area bus accidents include:
Bus accidents are also common in poor weather conditions, although all drivers are responsible for altering their driving behaviors in times of inclement weather.
Buses are work-horse vehicles. They are sizable, heavy, and powerful. They must be capable of transporting large groups of people over potentially vast distances. However, what makes them unique can also make them dangerous. These vehicles are substantially larger than passenger vehicles. When they are involved in accidents, they can cause massive amounts of damage and numerous physical injuries. Some of the most common injuries seen in a bus accident are:
In some cases, scarring and disfigurement may occur because of these types of bus accident injuries. In addition to the physical scars, mental health conditions may also be a concern. Bus accidents can trigger depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The cost of treating these physical and mental ailments can be significant.
Unfortunately, uncovering who may be liable for a Houston bus accident isn’t always easy or straightforward. It is seldom a matter of simply pointing the finger at the driver. Bus accidents are complex partially because numerous people or entities may be liable for causing a collision. For example, if a careless bus driver causes an accident, but the company that hired the driver never conducted a background check or gave the driver proper training, they may be partially liable. What if the brakes on the bus fail due to a defective part? The parts manufacturer or the manufacturer of the bus may be to blame.
Numerous factors can influence who may be liable for a Houston bus crash. Parties that may be liable include:
In Texas, the person responsible for causing the accident is the person or party responsible for compensating those who were injured. It is crucial to identify the person or party liable for causing the crash so they can be held accountable.
Many accident victims ask about the average bus accident settlement in cases like theirs. The answer to the question is that each bus accident is unique. There is no magic formula or dollar amount that can automatically make you whole after a significant bus accident. It takes a careful accounting of your injuries and financial losses to determine the value of your claim.
At The DJF Law Firm, PLLC, we evaluate claims on a case-by-case basis. You can feel secure knowing that we are not aiming for a random or arbitrary number. We are working hard to get the full and fair amount of compensation you deserve. Although we can’t give you a solid figure until we review your case, as an individual involved in a Houston bus accident, you may be able to pursue compensation that will cover the following:
Texas follows a modified comparative fault model in car and bus accident cases. Under this system, you may attempt to recover compensation following an accident. However, your compensation may be reduced if you share the blame for causing an accident. For example, if a jury finds your actions make you ten percent responsible for causing a crash, your compensation can be diminished by ten percent. Anyone found to be more than 50 percent at fault for causing a collision is barred from recovering any compensation.
The modified comparative fault model only binds court decisions. However, it can significantly influence how an insurance adjuster will value a claim. To pursue the compensation you deserve, get an experienced Houston bus accident lawyer on your side.
Following a bus accident, you may want to pursue an insurance claim. That is the most common path toward recovering compensation after a crash. However, dealing with an insurer can be overwhelming and time-consuming, especially if they aren’t willing to negotiate in good faith.
In some cases, bus accident victims may be able to pursue compensation for their injuries by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. However, you do not have an unlimited amount of time to file your suit. Texas gives injured people two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you first filed an insurance claim and now the insurer won’t negotiate, they may be wasting your valuable time. Filing a lawsuit after the two-year time limit expires will generally result in the court dismissing your suit, leaving you with little to no recourse for recovering meaningful compensation.
Discuss your legal options with a knowledgeable Houston bus accident attorney. An attorney can help determine which legal avenue is right for you and prepare you for the process ahead.
A Houston bus accident can be life-altering. Physical injuries can change your quality of life. They can also significantly impact your financial security. You deserve full and fair compensation, but fair compensation can sometimes be difficult to come by when dealing with an insurer or large company. If you want to pursue the money you deserve, contact an experienced Houston bus accident attorney with The DJF Law Firm, PLLC.
At The DJF Law Firm, PLLC, we are committed to protecting your rights and helping you recover the compensation you need. Before you accept any offer, talk to a seasoned member of our Houston legal team. We can review your situation and give you the support and guidance you need to navigate this challenging time. Contact our office today at 832-529-3476 to set up a free and confidential legal consultation.