Bus travel is an important part of the DFW metro transportation network. Both city and school buses are common on our streets. Unfortunately, bus crashes that result in injuries or deaths are also common.
In 2017, there were 17 fatal bus crashes and 8 fatal school bus crashes in Texas. During the 2016-2017 school year, there were 1,995 school bus crashes in the state that resulted in 407 student injuries, 50 adult injuries, 1 student death, and 1 adult death.
How Bus Crashes Happen
Bus riders, parents of school bus passengers, and motorists place a certain amount of trust in the bus companies and the bus drivers. You believe the bus operator and fleet company will act with due care to prevent serious bus crashes.
However, this doesn’t always happen. Wrecks often occur because of:
- Distractions such as eating, texting or talking on the phone, or using GPS
- Fatigue
- Impairment such as drunk or drugged driving
- Inadequate driver training
- Mechanical problems
- Failure to comply with commercial driver license (CDL) regulations
If an examination of evidence determines one of these or other negligent factors contributed the crash, the bus company or its operator may be legally responsible for compensable damages.
Injuries Caused by Bus Crashes
The extent of injuries and the number of fatalities caused by a bus collision depends on numerous factors, including but not limited to how fast the commercial vehicle was traveling at the time of the incident and the angle of impact.
Catastrophic injuries are common, such as:
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Burns
- Amputations
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and/or paralysis
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You
If a bus crash in Texas left you injured or resulted in the death of a loved one, our experienced personal injury attorneys are ready to help. Our legal team thoroughly investigates the collision to determine why it happened; we identify the person or company responsible for the incident, and we fight hard for your fair recovery of financial damages.
After a Texas bus crash, your recovery could include compensation for past, current, and future medical expenses, lost income, out-of-pocket costs, as well as pain and emotional suffering.
Call us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about your legal rights, the value of your potential recovery, and how we can help establish the recovery you deserve.
