Why Choose Simmons and Fletcher’s Attorneys For Your Houston Bus Accident Case?

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Dealing with a bus accident can be tough. That’s why having legal help matters. At Simmons and Fletcher, our bus accident lawyers have deep experience, genuine compassion, and a solid track record of wins for Houston families.

Choosing us means you get a dedicated team of bus accident lawyers to get you the best possible results. We treat every client with the respect and understanding they need during this challenging time.

A Closer Look at Texas Traffic Safety

The traffic statistics from Texas in 2023 highlight significant road safety challenges. Here’s a breakdown of what they show:

The state experienced 15,219 serious injury crashes, affecting 18,752 people who sustained severe injuries.
Fatal accidents occurred with alarming regularity, with one person losing their life every 2 hours and 3 minutes.
Injuries were even more frequent, with someone getting hurt every 2 minutes and 6 seconds.
Overall, Texas saw a reportable crash nearly every minute, with one occurring every 56 seconds.

These statistics underscore the urgent need for cautious driving and stronger safety measures. They also stress the importance of community and legislative efforts to improve road safety for everyone in Texas.

How Do Bus Accident Laws Work in Texas?

Dealing with the aftermath of a bus accident in Texas can get complicated, especially with so many different people potentially involved. It could be a motorcyclist in the bus driver’s blind spot, a pedestrian crossing the street, or someone riding the bus—each situation has its challenges under Texas bus accident laws. Understanding these laws is crucial for protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve.

Duties of Care

Under Texas bus accident laws, buses are considered “common carriers.” That means they transport people for a fee. This designation places a higher standard of care on bus operators than on private vehicle drivers. This high degree of care is critical because the safety of numerous passengers can be affected by a single act of negligence.

When a bus accident occurs, we examine whether the bus driver took all available precautions to prevent the accident. Was the bus regularly maintained? Was the bus driver adequately trained? Was the bus driver working too many hours? Was the bus driver texting or under the influence? These questions are fundamental in assessing liability in the event of an accident.

Regulations for Bus Companies and Bus Drivers

Bus accident regulations in Texas are stringent, aiming to ensure the utmost safety of passengers and other private drivers who share the roads with them. These regulations cover several areas:

Driver Qualifications: Drivers must possess a commercial driver’s license with specific endorsements for carrying passengers.
Maintenance Requirements: Buses must undergo regular inspections and maintenance to ensure they are in safe working condition.
Operational Limitations: To prevent fatigue-related accidents, strict regulations govern the number of hours a bus driver can work.

It’s important to remember that state and federal agencies closely monitor compliance with Texas bus safety laws. The bus accident lawyers at Simmons & Fletcher are here to hold bus companies accountable.

Impact of Non-Compliance

The experienced bus accident lawyers at Simmons and Fletcher are here to hold bus companies and drivers accountable when they don’t comply with these safety standards, which can lead to serious injuries for others. Texas bus accident laws are critical for ensuring the safety of millions of passengers who rely on bus transport daily.

When you need experienced representation, contact the bus accident lawyers at Simmons and Fletcher. Our experience is especially valuable in a busy city like Houston, where buses are vital to everyday life.

What Are the Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Houston?

In Houston, understanding the causes of bus accidents is crucial for enhancing safety across all forms of transportation classified under the common carrier category. Examples of common carriers include any individual or business that transports people in exchange for money, including:

Public buses
Private bus lines like Coach and Greyhound
School buses
Airport and hotel shuttle buses; and
Tour buses

Each type of common carrier has its specific operational challenges, but several common causes of accidents frequently emerge, such as:

Bus driver negligence
Poor maintenance, and
Defective bus parts

Bus Driver Negligence

Bus driver negligence is a leading factor in bus accidents, which can encompass a range of issues, including.

Distracted driving
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Poor training
Fatigue from long shifts, and
Failing to follow traffic laws.

The high demands placed on bus drivers in a bustling metropolis like Houston can lead to lapses in concentration and judgment, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.

Poor Maintenance

Bus safety heavily relies on regular and thorough maintenance. Poor maintenance can lead to mechanical failures, a common cause of bus accidents. Essential systems such as brakes, tires, and engines require regular checks to prevent failures that could lead to severe accidents.

Defective Bus Parts

Sometimes, accidents are caused by defective bus parts, possibly due to manufacturing flaws affecting critical components like steering mechanisms or braking systems. These defects can occur despite regular maintenance and have devastating consequences if they lead to system failures while the bus moves.

By holding common carriers responsible for these common causes of bus accidents—bus driver negligence, poor maintenance, and defective bus parts—the bus accident lawyers at Simmons and Fletcher help make it safer for passengers relying on public and private bus transport and the drivers on the road with them.

What Should You Do After a Bus Accident?

Experiencing a bus accident can be a traumatic and disorienting event. Knowing what to do after a bus accident can help ensure your safety and protect your rights.

Here’s a step-by-step guide outlining the bus accident steps to take immediately following a bus accident:

Check for Injuries and Seek Medical Attention. The first and most crucial step is to check yourself and others for injuries. If you or someone else is injured, call 911 immediately to get medical help. Even if the injuries appear minor, seeking medical attention is essential as some symptoms might not manifest until hours or days after the accident.
Ensure Safety at the Scene. If it’s safe, move to a secure location near the accident scene to avoid any further risks, such as oncoming traffic or potential hazards from the accident. If part of the incident involved a vehicle you were in, turn on the hazard lights.
Contact the Authorities. Even if the accident seems minor, reporting the incident to the police is crucial. The responding officers will fill out an accident report, which is vital for any legal actions or insurance claims that may follow.
Gather Information. Collect as much information as possible from the scene, including:
- Names, contact information, and insurance details of all drivers involved.
- Contact information for any witnesses. Witnesses can provide valuable statements that support your account of the incident.
- Photographs or videos of the accident scene include all vehicles involved, visible damages, and relevant road conditions or signs.
Check for Dash Cams: Determine if any vehicles involved or around the bus accident, including the bus, had a dash cam recording during the accident. This footage can be crucial in determining fault and understanding the events leading up to the accident.
Notify Your Insurance Company. Inform your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. Provide them with all the collected information, but avoid making any statements until you have a bus accident lawyer.
Seek Legal Advice. Contact a bus accident lawyer at Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. who can guide you through filing any necessary claims and protect your rights throughout the legal proceedings. Your attorney will help interpret legal jargon, handle communications with insurance companies, and ensure that your claims are filed correctly and on time.
Document Everything. Keep records of all medical treatments, conversations with insurance companies, interactions with law enforcement, and any legal steps taken following the accident. This documentation will be invaluable for your legal team in building a robust case on your behalf.

By Following these bus crash immediate actions, you can manage the aftermath of a bus accident more effectively and ensure your safety and rights are prioritized. Whether you’re a passenger, a bystander, or a driver involved in the accident, taking these steps can significantly impact the outcomes of any subsequent legal or insurance proceedings.

How Is Liability Determined in Bus Accident Cases?

Determining liability in bus accident cases can involve multiple parties, extensive evidence collection, and accident reconstruction. Understanding how to establish bus crash liability is crucial for anyone involved in a bus accident.

Here’s a detailed look at determining bus accident liability and the types of evidence required for bus accident cases.

Collecting Evidence

The first step in establishing liability in a bus accident is the collection of comprehensive evidence from the scene, including:

Photographs and Videos: Visual documentation of the accident scene, including the positions of vehicles, skid marks, road conditions, and any obstructions or signage.
Police Reports: Official reports can provide an objective summary of the accident, including any initial assessments of fault made by responding officers.
Witness Statements: Accounts from passengers, other drivers, and bystanders can offer valuable perspectives on how the accident occurred.
Bus Maintenance Records: These records can reveal whether the bus company adequately maintained the bus to industry standards, which can be crucial if a mechanical failure contributed to the bus accident.
Driver’s Records: A bus driver’s training records, driving history, and hours of service logs might demonstrate driver fatigue or insufficient training.

Identifying Potential Defendants

Several parties could potentially be held liable in a bus accident, including:

The Bus Driver: If the accident was caused by driver error, such as distraction, impairment, or reckless driving.
The Bus Company: If the company fails to ensure proper bus maintenance or hires an unqualified driver.
Bus Manufacturer: If a defect in the bus or any of its components contributed to the accident.
Other Drivers: If another vehicle’s actions caused the bus driver to crash.
Government Entities: If poor road conditions or inadequate signage played a role in the incident.

Applying Legal Theories

Liability in bus accidents often revolves around the legal concept of negligence. A bus accident lawyer will have to prove the following elements:

Duty of Care: Demonstrate that the bus driver or owner owed you a duty of care. This duty is heightened in bus accidents because buses are considered common carriers.
Breach of Duty: Show that the bus driver or bus owner failed to meet their duty of care, such as a bus company neglecting necessary vehicle maintenance or a bus driver being fatigued, for example.
Causation: Link the breach directly to the bus accident and the damages caused to people or property.
Damages: Prove that you or your loved one suffered actual damages, such as physical injuries or property damage, due to the accident.

Expert Testimony

You might need expert witnesses such as accident reconstruction specialists or mechanical engineers in complex bus accident cases. They can testify about how the accident occurred or explain any mechanical failures that contributed to the crash.

For those involved in a bus accident, partnering with experienced attorneys like the bus accident lawyers at Simmons and Fletcher is essential. We thoroughly consider all relevant evidence. This ensures your rights are protected throughout the legal process, providing you with the support and guidance you deserve.

How Much Can You Claim in Bus Accident Compensation?

Understanding the types of bus accident compensation you can claim for a bus accident is crucial. The compensation for bus crash damages often depends on the severity of your injuries, the specifics of the accident, and the extent of your losses.
Here’s a breakdown of the typical categories of compensation that bus accident victims might be entitled to:

Medical Expenses

One of the primary types of compensation in a bus accident settlement includes medical expenses. These can cover everything from emergency room visits to hospital care, surgeries, medication, and any long-term healthcare needs such as physical therapy or rehabilitation. Victims can claim for both past and future medical expenses related to the injuries sustained in the accident.

Lost Wages

You may be eligible for compensation if your injuries from a bus accident caused you to miss work. Compensation can cover both lost wages and future earnings if your injury prevents you from returning to your previous job or forces you to take a lower-paying position.

Pain and Suffering

Compensation for pain and suffering includes the non-economic damages you suffer as a result of the bus accident, like physical pain and discomfort, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, fear, depression, and anxiety.

Property Damage

If the bus accident damaged any of your personal property, you could receive compensation to repair or replace these items

Wrongful Death

If the bus accident resulted in a fatality, their family members might be entitled to wrongful death damages. These can include funeral and burial costs, loss of financial contribution, emotional distress, and loss of companionship.

When pursuing a bus accident settlement, it’s crucial to consider all the potential areas of compensation. An experienced bus accident lawyer will expertly investigate the complexities of your claim, ensuring that all potential damages are considered and your rights are fully protected.

The Role of Houston Bus Accident Lawyers

At Simmons & Fletcher, we understand the challenges victims of bus accidents face. We’re ready to help when safety lapses or negligence in Houston’s public or private buses cause harm. We work with everyone involved, from insurance companies to transit authorities, to ensure they meet the highest safety and accountability standards.

Bus accident claims can become complex, highlighting the need for skilled lawyers to navigate these issues. We are committed to ensuring that each victim gets the justice and compensation they deserve in an environment that supports their recovery and well-being.

Reach Out for Support with Simmons & Fletcher, P.C.

If you or a loved one has been affected by a bus accident in Houston, do not face this challenge alone. Reach out to the experienced bus accident lawyers at Simmons & Fletcher. We are here to champion your rights and secure the compensation you need to move forward.

List of References:

1 https://www.txdot.gov/content/dam/docs/trf/crash-reports-records/2023/01.pdf
2 https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.545.htm
3 https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/commercial-driver-license
4 https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetyplanner/MyFiles/SubSections.aspx?ch=22&sec=65&sub=147
5 https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/Interstate-Passenger-Carrying-Driver-Guide-To-HOS.pdf

Houston Bus Accident Lawyer