Houston’s first self-driving shuttle has launched at Texas Southern University. The autonomous passenger vehicle will hold approximately twelve riders and drive around campus. While the planned speed of the shuttle bus is only eight to twelve miles per hour, a METRO driver will remain in the vehicle at all times…
Every year, approximately 63,000 buses are involved in accidents and roughly 25,000 people are injured in them throughout the United States. The large passenger and hauling capacity of buses, and the fact that riders are not always required to wear seatbelts, increases the severity of potential bus accident injuries. In Texas, the laws that govern bus accident liability vary greatly from those that apply to other motor vehicle accidents. Even with regard to bus accidents, the law differentiates between privately owned buses and government run transportation (such as school buses). In addition to state law requirements, commercial bus drivers also operate under federal rules as promulgated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These laws define how long a driver can be behind the wheel before they must rest, when a driver is permitted to use a mobile phone, and more.
Common Factors
As with any type of motor vehicle accident, it is crucial to identify the cause of the collision. Common causes of bus accidents are similar to those that cause or contribute to other vehicular accidents.
Other common factors in Texas bus crashes include:
- Bus driver negligence
- Fatigued driving
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Failure to yield
- Bus defects
- Speeding
- Lack of driver qualifications
- Falsifying the number of driving hours/driving for too long
- Faulty equipment
- Not being sufficiently familiar with the route
- Improper responses to road conditions
- Improper responses to weather conditions
- Drug use or driving under the influence of a controlled substance
Common Injuries
Bus accident injuries are very often catastrophic and even regularly fatal, due to the size and force of a vehicle as large as a bus being involved. When a large intercity bus, a school bus, or a privately owned commercial bus hits a pedestrian or cyclist on the road, the results can be catastrophic, but the passengers on the bus are not safe from injury either. It is imperative that you seek immediate medical attention after a bus accident to prevent your condition from getting worse. Failing to see a doctor not only hurts your chances of making a full recovery, it can also negatively affect your potential claim.
Some of the most common types of bus accident injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations, cuts, and bruises
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Slipped or herniated discs
- Paralysis, whether paraplegia or quadriplegia
- Internal injuries
- Broken nose
- Dental injuries
Texas Bus Accident Lawyers
Being injured in a bus accident can devastate a person’s life. Many victims have to undergo emergency medical treatment and require long-term medical care for their injuries, some with permanent impairment. The experienced trial attorneys of Dax F. Garza, P.C. have provided effective representation for thousands of clients across Houston, throughout Texas, and even across the country. Our bus accident attorneys understand the unique challenges victims face, and are uniquely positioned to help. If you were hurt in a bus accident, contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our team members.
