Millions of people, students and commuters, use buses every day. And while these are a relatively safe mode of transportation, accidents still happen.
However, accidents involving buses are usually smaller than other vehicles such as cars or motorcycles . But, because buses are large, heavy vehicles, accidents involving them are generally more risky and sometimes fatal. In the United States, auto accidents, especially bus accidents, cost millions of dollars in damage and loss each year.
If you or others you know have recently been in an accident involving one of these vehicles, you should contact a Houston bus accident attorney at Calhoun Meredith.
What are the most common causes of bus accidents in Houston?
- distracted driver
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance and Negligence
- drunk driving
- Speeding
- bad weather conditions
- Steps to take after a bus accident in Houston
- call the police
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Gather the proper documentation
- Gather evidence and speak to witnesses
- Contact a Houston Bus Accident Lawyer
- Types of Injuries in Houston Bus Accidents
- Who is Liable for Injuries Suffered in a Houston Bus Accident?
- How long do I have to file a claim for a bus accident in Houston?
- Why Should You Hire a Calhoun Meredith Houston Bus Accident Lawyer?
What are the most common causes of bus accidents in Houston?
There are several causes of bus accidents in Houston, Texas. People can avoid most of these, some of which are not easy to prevent. The most common causes of bus accidents in Texas include distracted driving, negligence, speeding, etc.
distracted driver
In Texas, distracted driving is one of the common causes of accidents. When a motorist, be it the bus driver or another road user, is not focused on driving, an accident could occur.
Various actions such as receiving phone calls or text messages could distract the bus driver. Another possible reason for distracted driving is when passengers are talking loudly or even talking to the driver. These actions cause him to lose concentration, which leads to an accident.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance and Negligence
The bus driver, owner or company must perform constant checks and inspections to keep the bus running smoothly. Like other vehicles, buses need broken parts replaced as soon as necessary.
If the bus driver does not maintain it properly, he is considered a negligent driver. These negligent bus drivers are said to be at fault for the accident.
Another way that a bus company or owner can be negligent is if there is a problem with inadequate driver training.
drunk driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one of the most dangerous things to do. Drinking and driving can also be deadly.
In Texas, drunk driving is viewed with disgust. Alcohol reduces concentration. And concentration is crucial when it comes to driving a bus or any vehicle. Additionally, alcohol impairs a driver's vision. It is said that most drunk drivers are to blame for an accident.
Speeding
It is a known fact that a fast vehicle is more susceptible to accidents. The severity of the accident is worse on a bus where the driver or others were speeding.
If there is an accident, a high-speed bus will have a greater impact and cause more injuries. This is different than a bus that is moving at the speed limit.
Also, a speeding driver will have a shorter reaction time if something happens. For example, the driver may not quickly apply the brakes. This endangers passengers and others.
bad weather conditions
Weather conditions like rain or snow naturally make driving more difficult for motorists. These elements make the streets slippery. And for buses that are heavier and less easy to maneuver, driving becomes even more difficult.
If you combine these weather elements with bad road conditions, such as potholes, the effect could be disastrous.
Steps to take after a bus accident in Houston
After a bus accident in Houston Texas most of the time people are disoriented and make wrong moves. However, if the passengers in a bus accident want to file a personal injury claim , later on, they will have to take the necessary measures. These measures apply to both passengers and other motorists involved in the accident.
Call the police
The first step you will want to take after the accident is to report it to the police. If your injuries are not too serious, you should make sure to file a police report. This is one of the documents that the insurance company or the court will like to see when you file your claim.
When you call the police, tell them all the details, what happened before, during and after the accident. This will ensure that your side of the story is recorded.
Seek medical attention immediately
As soon as you get off the bus, it is essential that you seek medical help. There will most likely be paramedics at the scene of the accident to help injured people; make sure you are thoroughly examined for signs of injury.
If you have serious injuries, you will be taken to the hospital for further examination. The responsibility for your medical bills may lie with the bus driver, owner, or company. But first, he must have enough evidence and records to give to the court or insurance company.
In Houston Texas, bus accident victims have a limited amount of time to report their injuries. So the sooner you get medical help, the better.
Gather the proper documentation
When you keep accident records, there may be factors in your documentation that will help your case. For example, when the bus company tries to deny some of your claims, proper documentation can go a long way.
You should have documentation of your losses, medical reports, police reports, eyewitness testimony, and any other possible documents you can obtain. These documents will help the insurance company determine how much compensation you deserve.
Gather evidence and speak to witnesses
Evidence plays an important role in bus accident claims. When collecting your evidence, you will need as much information as possible, even the smallest detail can be vital to your claim.
Pedestrians or bystanders could serve as key witnesses to the accident. Sometimes these could even be passengers on the bus. But whether they were on the bus or not, the witness information could provide additional insight into the case. So, before you leave the scene of the accident, it is essential that you obtain the personal details of potential witnesses.
Contact a Houston Bus Accident Lawyer
It is important to schedule consultations with a car accident lawyer or bus accident lawyer after such an accident in Houston, Texas. This is because there are more victims and more responsible parties involved in bus accidents.
The fact that there are more victims and responsible parties makes bus accident claims a more complex process. An experienced Houston Texas lawyer will help you with your claim and make sure you get the compensation he should get...
Types of Injuries in Houston Bus Accidents
Bus accidents attract various types of injuries to passengers. An injury in a bus accident can have temporary or permanent effects on the people involved. Additionally, these injuries could claim lives if not carefully managed.
- Internal Bleeding : Trauma usually causes internal bleeding. This occurs when there is damage to an artery or vein, and bleeding begins in the body. It is always a matter of concern.
- Cervical whiplash : Cervical whiplash is an injury to the neck due to a forceful and rapid jerk of the neck. It occurs when the head jerks back and forth with force.
- Spinal cord injuries : Spinal cord injuries are damage caused to the spinal cord or even to the nerves of the spinal canal. These spinal cord injuries may cause permanent changes in strength, sensation, and other functions. Spinal cord injury victims are usually greatly affected by this injury.
- Sprains and Strains : Sprains and strains involve stretching or tearing the ligaments. A ligament is that tissue that connects bones and joints. Strains and sprains also affect tendons and muscles.
- Fractures and Broken Bones : A fracture or broken bone is a partial or complete break in the bone. Fractures and broken bones can occur anywhere in the body.
Who is Liable for Injuries Suffered in a Houston Bus Accident?
Determining who is responsible or at fault for a bus accident depends on the types of buses, for example, school buses, in the accident.
If the bus accident involved public transportation, the bus could belong to a government entity. In this case, the government is liable for injuries and property damage. However, the government could obtain immunity and compensate victims in another way.
A common carrier is a public or private entity that carries a person for a fee. They are commercial bus lines like Megabus, Greyhound , etc. If an accident occurs with common carriers, the bus line or private company is responsible for the injuries and property damage of the victims.
A school bus accident is another primary type of accident of this type. Victims in school bus accidents may be able to file a lawsuit against the bus driver, company, or owner. If the drivers at fault in school bus accidents are charged with reckless driving, they will be held liable for the losses suffered.
Lastly, if other vehicle owners caused the accident, the fault or at-fault driver is held liable for the injuries the victims and property damage sustained in the accident. Personal injury lawyers and insurance companies play an important role in compensation settlements and personal injury lawsuits.
How long do I have to file a claim for a bus accident in Houston?
The term known as the statute of limitation is the time period given to individuals to make their claims or file a personal injury lawsuit. The time frame for filing a bus accident claim differs from state to state.
In Houston, Texas, you have a maximum of two years to file a personal injury or negligence claim. Bus accidents fall into this category.
Before getting your compensation from a bus accident claim, it will take a long and complicated process. This is the reason why accident lawyers of this type advise their clients to file their claims as soon as possible.
Why Should You Hire a Calhoun Meredith Houston Bus Accident Lawyer?
Calhoun Meredith have dedicated personal injury attorneys for bus accident victims in Houston, Texas. Knowing how many injuries can affect your life, you will need an excellent attorney from our firm to help you put your life back to the way it was before. Our clients can testify to this.
When you become our client by contacting an experienced Calhoun Meredith bus accident attorney, you will have our legal team pursuing your trial. At the same time, he will have enough time to recover from his injuries. We will follow up on his insurance claim and make sure he receives the necessary compensation for his damages.
You deserve justice, and our team of attorneys will make sure you get it. Contact us at Calhoun Meredith to schedule a consultation today, and we are happy to answer any questions you may have.hous
