Millions of Americans use public buses every day commuting to work, going on excursions, or even running normal errands. While most of these trips are without an incident, some find themselves trapped in the murky waters of what has become a norm in the U.S. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), at least 67,000 traffic crashes involving buses are reported each year.
A qualified Conroe bus accident lawyer can help you with the technicalities of filing a personal injury claim. He or she understands the process better and will get straight to the point. Again, time is always of the essence, and any delays filing your claim could result in the loss of your case, no matter how legitimate your claims are. Under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16.003, personal injury victims normally have up to 2 years to file a formal lawsuit in court. If this time lapses, your case may not be able to be brought forward. Reach out to one of our seasoned personal injury attorneys as soon as possible to avoid missing your opportunity to file.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), traveling by bus is 70 times safer than doing the same in a normal car. But even so, accidents happen, leaving a trail of destruction for the victims. With nearly 1 million buses traveling over 16.2 billion miles each year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) estimates that at least 300 people are killed with over 24,000 others sustaining serious injuries yearly.
Although car accidents are more common, bus accidents are often catastrophic. Several factors contribute to the fatal nature of these crashes, including the size, shape, and design of the average bus.
Typically, buses are enormous, weighing several tons. During impact, their mass is enough to create multiple forces that eject passengers through the windows. Victims may suffer from head injuries, spinal injuries, and broken bones.
Buses are big and boxy by default. Their big space creates enough room to accommodate multiple passengers, with normal buses carrying up to 70 people. Unfortunately, this makes the top heavier, altering its Centre of Gravity. As a result, this makes buses more likely to tip and roll over when an accident occurs. Regardless of if passengers are restrained, the severity of a rollover accident are catastrophic.
Normal cars such as trucks and vans offer passengers a restraint that safeguards them in case of a crash. But since buses are specially designed to accommodate tens of passengers sitting and standing, they may lack the necessary restraints such as seat belts. This leaves them vulnerable to serious harm when an accident happens. Because these factors make bus accidents so severe, it is crucial to work with an experienced attorney on your injury claim.
Normally, many buses using Conroe roads are state-owned. Public school buses are often owned by the county government. So, when someone is knocked down by either of these buses, it can be difficult to sue the government. The Tort Claims Act exempts state and federal governments from being sued in particular incidents, but bus driver negligence normally would not apply. Not all is lost if you were injured in a similar auto wreck.
While there are additional time-sensitive requirements in suing a government entity, a skilled lawyer in Conroe can help you with your bus wreck claim. You can hold the driver accountable for their negligent misconduct.
Bus accidents are caused by several factors, and it’s not always clear who is to blame. This makes it difficult to effectively prepare and file a strong case on your own. In one way or another, you will need the help of a qualified attorney to investigate how the bus crash happened and to help establish fault. He or she will speak to professionals such as accident reconstruction experts to help re-create the events leading to the crash. Once you retain a lawyer, it will be their work to see to it that you secure maximum compensation by suing the most prospective party.
While public bus transportation is easier, safer, and affordable than traveling by normal car, accidents do happen. There’s no guarantee that you’ll be safe in a crash just because you opted for the bus. If you’ve been seriously injured in a bus accident recently, you should speak with our Conroe bus accident lawyers as soon as possible.
Our one-on-one consultations are 100% free of charge, and we do not charge any upfront fees to have our attorneys work on your case. Call us right away to learn more about your bus accident claim in Conroe.
