Passenger buses are a common sight on Katy’s roadways. Did you know, however, that Americans rely on buses to travel more than 28 billion miles every year?
Even though it might seem like buses should be one of the safest modes of transportation available, this isn’t always the case. Basic training for bus drivers doesn’t address every potential problem that could arise while they drive, and many bus companies and fleet managers mishandle their vehicles.
Bus accidents are often serious. They can be terrifying to experience, and for almost every bus accident, there’s another person (or people) on the other end of the crash too. This person could be a Katy pedestrian, a bicyclist, someone in another car… the truth is that everyone on the road is at risk of getting hurt in a bus accident.
Whether you were a bus passenger, a pedestrian, a cyclist, or another motorist, a Katy bus accident lawyer can help. Get a FREE confidential consultation from one of our live experts by calling or read on below for more information about Katy bus accidents.
Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers: Legal Services for Katy Bus Accident Survivors
If a bus accident in Katy hurt you or someone you love, consult our experienced legal professionals. We can help you understand your position and determine a path forward.
At Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers, we maintain a team of skilled bus crash attorneys who are ready to assist clients regardless of their type of accident or injury severity. Our lawyers work diligently to help educate and empower clients as they begin the legal process. We even offer free virtual consultations to accommodate our potential clients’ schedules and preferences.
We are a national law firm based in Houston with multiple offices around the country. We also work with affiliate law firms in most states that share our focus and dedication to excellence. No matter where you are located, we may be able to help you, so call or contact us now. We are open, for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 800-898-4877, or you may contact us now by clicking here to submit your case for review.
We want our next victory to be yours. If you need help, reach out to our team today. We’ll connect you with a legal professional who can address your questions and connect you with a qualified local attorney.
Katy Bus Accidents Are Dangerous. Here’s Why:
For most people, a bus accident is much more dangerous than a standard vehicle accident. There are plenty of reasons why:
- Bus size: Buses are huge. They weigh several tons, even without any people or cargo aboard. Buses dwarf the average car, so in a bus crash, the person or vehicle involved will probably sustain serious damage. The mass of a bus combines with its momentum as it moves, creating a powerful and dangerous force.
- Bus shape: It’s pretty obvious that buses aren’t like most vehicles. They’re shaped differently, but did you know that buses’ shapes can actually make them extra dangerous in a crash? Because buses are big, boxy, and heaving, they are prone to rolling over or tipping during accidents. This makes accidents more dangerous for everyone involved and can easily lead to multi-lane multi-vehicle pile-ups.
- Bus design: Normal cars include features that safeguard and restrain passengers. Buses, however, transport unconfined passengers while they sit or stand. Their very designs make them dangerous, especially for the people riding in them.
Once you consider these factors, it’s easy to see how most bus accidents in Katy can cause serious damage. Buses’ sizes, shapes, and designs all contribute to making them dangerous in a crash.
Types of Buses in Katy
Kinds of Buses on the Road
There are numerous types of buses driving on Katy roadways. If we drive regularly, most of us will see several of them every day. Regardless of the type of bus involved in an accident, they can all cause serious damage. Because a bus is larger than a standard passenger vehicle, damage from buses is usually considerable.
Some examples of the kinds of buses that may be involved in an accident include:
- Transit buses
- School buses
- Intercity buses
- Party buses
- Greyhound buses
- Tour buses
Buses that travel very quickly or shuttle heavy cargo pose unique dangers. These factors usually make accidents more severe. None of these buses have the standard safety features that many of us expect in vehicles, either—no seatbelts, no airbags, etc.
Greyhound Bus Accidents
Greyhound buses are so well-known that you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t recognize one of the large vehicles. Greyhound buses service almost 4,000 destinations across North America—and their passengers travel more than 5 billion miles per year.
One of the primary reasons that Katy Greyhound customers rely on these buses’ service is ticket costs. Greyhound keeps tickets affordable for its customers—but at some point, one needs to ask themselves where the savings are coming from. Does Greyhound cut corners with safety to stay affordable? Possibly. If a Greyhound bus injured you, a Katy bus accident attorney can help you get to the bottom of it.
School Bus Accidents
Unfortunately, many school bus accidents involve children. Some bus safety tips parents and drivers often instill in children include:
- Enter and exit the bus in an orderly manner
- Never enter a bus unless it is at a full, complete stop
- Wait for the school bus in a safe location; stay away from traffic
- Use handrails to enter the bus
- Keep all objects inside of the bus at all times
- Never distract the bus driver
Children and parents can minimize the chance of a school bus crash, but they cannot prevent a bus driver from driving negligently and crashing.
Types of Katy Bus Accidents: Tipovers and Rollovers
Bus Rollovers and Tipovers
Buses have unique designs. Their height and shape make them susceptible to accidents that other vehicles don’t usually face. Tipovers and rollovers are two good examples.
Many buses have a majority of their weight focused high up in the vehicle. Due to the center of gravity, this weight can swing and tip very easily—especially if a bus is turning or swerving. The wind can even cause a bus tip over if it’s strong enough.
The shape of a bus also causes them to roll after most accidents. Sometimes, all it takes is another object striking a bus for it to begin rolling. An accident doesn’t need to be severe or involve another large vehicle to cause these kinds of bus crashes.
Common Injuries After Katy Bus Accidents
A huge vehicle like a bus can do significant damage to most other (smaller) vehicles. A bus accident creates a significant chance of serious injuries.
Many people suffer numerous injuries after a bus accident.
It’s not abnormal to experience these due to a crash:
- Cuts, scrapes, and bruises
- Seizures
- Brain damage
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Back injuries
- Separated joints
- Amputations
- Neck injuries including muscle spasms, vocal cord damage, and soft tissue damage
- Spinal cord injuries like fractured vertebrae or disc herniation
- Traumatic brain injuries, hematoma, hemorrhage, or concussion
Remember: you can seek compensation for your injuries after a bus accident. A lawyer can help you pursue damages to account for medical bills.
The apparent severity of your injuries does not change your right to compensation. No matter what injuries you sustained or how serious they are, you deserve compensation for your experiences. Ask our lawyers for more information about securing compensation for your injuries.
What to Do After a Katy Bus Accident
If you’ve been involved in or witnessed a bus accident somewhere in Katy, it can prove extremely stressful. Most people don’t know what steps to take to protect their future after a crash. The good news is that you only need to do a few things to help ensure your safety and the safety of others around you after a bus accident.
Confirm Physical Safety
When at all possible, take time to make sure that everyone involved in the bus accident is safe. This includes yourself!
Try to keep everyone away from oncoming traffic, away from vehicles (in case of a fire or explosion), and so on.
- Make sure that you can stand, walk, and speak first.
- If you cannot do these things, remain still and call 911 or wait for someone else to call for help (always call yourself if you can.)
- Don’t move your head or neck if they hurt; stay very still if you experience back pain.
Contact Authorities
You should always call the police after an accident. It’s not a sign of a crime—it’s just good policy. The authorities will help you file an accident report and clear your accident scene, protecting other drivers from hazardous debris.
We recommend dialing 911 for help. This way, an emergency operator can send out police and medical services at their discretion.
Collect Evidence
You can gather evidence about a crash at the scene of the accident. Assuming you physically can, do so. You have the chance to collect evidence that will be impossible to document later. Take pictures and video of the scene and your injuries. Save media that shows other signs of a collision (like skid marks in the road) too.
Seek Medical Care
Always prioritize medical care after an accident. Too many crash survivors avoid medical care. Everyone has their reasons, but the most common concern is the cost of treatment. Even though skimping on treatment might feel like a good idea at the time, it’s a surefire way to set yourself up for unhappiness in the future.
- If your own health isn’t enough of a motivator, consider this: the sooner you get medical help, the more accurately medical professionals can diagnose your injuries. The sooner and more accurately these are diagnosed, the better your case results will be.
Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician as soon as you can. Even if you were treated in the hospital or received some other medical attention, your doctor should be up-to-date on what’s happening with you, They can check you for delayed injury symptoms and answer any questions you might have about your experiences.
Consult a Katy Bus Accident Lawyer at Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers
Finding the right attorney for your case might not be your immediate concern after a crash, but that doesn’t mean that you should avoid seeking legal help after an accident.
We recommend that you begin contacting bus accident attorneys as soon as possible after a crash.
- It’s a good idea to speak to as many attorneys as you’re willing to; the more opinions on your case, the better
- Legitimate and trustworthy attorneys never pressure potential clients
- You can usually take advantage of a free consultation to meet with a new attorney
The sooner you select a bus accident attorney to represent your interests, the sooner your case will be underway. That means you can pursue compensation and fight for justice. We always recommend retaining a Katy bus accident lawyer before dealing with insurance or bus companies (or other entities) after a bus crash.
Recoverable Damages After a Katy Bus Accident
We find that many potential clients have lots of questions about what they can recover after a bus accident. Here’s the good news: Potential damages are fairly easy to understand. It makes sense that someone might rack up medical bills, experience some property damage, and miss time from work after a bus crash. These are the sorts of things you may recover compensation for.
Compensable damages after a bus accident include:
- Medical expenses: Past, present, and projected medical expenses associated with the accident, medical transport, on-scene care, prescription medications, long-term care, custom equipment, and so on
- Lost wages: Lost income or other workplace benefits due to missing work after the bus accident
- Diminished earning capacity: Wage loss that takes the form of decreased hours, a career change to a lower-paying job, or early retirement caused by the bus accident
- Property damage: Lost or damaged property due to the bus accident
- Pain and suffering: Physical or emotional pain caused by the bus accident
- Loss of consortium: If an uninjured spouse wants to pursue damages for the loss of sexual relations, marital benefits, and so on after a bus accident, they may have the right to do so
- Wrongful death: Funeral costs, burial expenses, etc.
- Disability or disfigurement
A Lawyer Can Help After a Katy Bus Accident
We’ll delve into this more later, but let us tell you here too: a lawyer can help you after a bus accident. Attorneys work hard to document an accident, investigate its causes, and negotiate on behalf of their clients. A qualified lawyer can help you record evidence, investigate what happened, determine liability, and fight for fair compensation.
We often receive the same questions about bus accidents—and we’re always happy to answer! Many potential clients are curious about the legalities behind bus accidents, how compensation works following a crash, and whom they can hold responsible for injurious accidents.
Frequently Asked Questions About Katy Bus Accidents
Do passengers on Katy buses have any protections?
Yes. If you are a passenger on a bus, you have some legal protections. If a bus injures someone (like a pedestrian or someone in another car), they do not have the same protections.
This is because the law considers buses “common carrier” vehicles. The people who own and operate buses are responsible for showing passengers the utmost duty of care.
Should I avoid riding on a Katy bus for safety reasons?
No. You should not avoid riding on a bus for safety reasons.
Even though bus accidents can and do occur, there are plenty of benefits to using buses for transportation. It’s beneficial for our roadways and our environment—plus, it’s a great way to save time and money. Buses are some of the most common forms of public transportation; we’d never recommend that people stop using them.
Safely maintained and operated buses are actually very secure. Buses’ large size helps protect passengers. Bus drivers are supposedly trained to operate these vehicles, and Texas bus drivers must obtain a CDL (commercial drivers license.). There are several reasons why riding a bus should be safe.
Who is responsible for my expenses after a Katy bus accident?
If you were hurt in a bus accident, it’s natural to worry and wonder who will handle the expenses that accumulate afterward. As a bus passenger or someone else hurt by a bus, you were probably not responsible for your injuries.
With that said:
- Your personal injury protection insurance (PIP), if you opted to buy it, will cover the first portion of your expenses
- The entity at-fault may be responsible for additional damages up to a certain cap
- If you do not have PIP insurance, the at-fault entity may need to cover more of your expenses and damages
What are some causes of Katy bus accidents?
Why do bus accidents happen? Bus accidents are like any other vehicular accident in this case: an accident can happen for all sorts of reasons. The actual reason behind a crash might not always be what it seems, either.
For example: say a bus collides with a passenger vehicle. It was raining and storming out when the crash occurred, so the weather seemed to cause the accident.
This may seem like a scenario in which nobody is liable, but…
- What if the driver was distracted or under the influence, and that’s why they couldn’t drive in the weather?
- What if the bus company hired someone who wasn’t fit to drive in inclement weather?
- What if something actually went wrong with one of the bus’s parts?
It quickly becomes obvious that determining the cause of a bus accident is not always easy. This is one of the primary reasons we suggest working with a lawyer. A lawyer will help you collect evidence to prove some party’s liability for your accident in court.
Some examples of frequent causes of bus accidents include…
Inclement weather or other conditions. Generally, if you hear about inclement conditions on the road, it refers to inclement weather. This may take the form of rain, snow, hail, or even wind—sometimes, fog is responsible for accidents. Lots of different kinds of weather can have a big impact on how safe it is to drive.
Inclement weather causes lots of bus and other accidents every year; but inclement road conditions cause their fair share of problems, too. Rough roads, potholes, or inadequate signs all pose a huge risk for people in vehicles. Buses can withstand some of these, but there’s always a risk of damage or an accident in inclement conditions.
Driver error. Bus drivers can get into accidents due to driver error just like any other drivers. Anything a standard vehicle driver can do to put themselves at risk, a bus driver can do as well. This includes snacking, checking mobile devices, driving under the influence, or driving while otherwise distracted.
Reckless or aggressive driving also constitutes driver error. It sounds terrifying to be on a bus with a driver who displays signs of road rage, but this can and does happen, even in Katy.
Fleet, maintenance, or management negligence. Oftentimes, bus accidents that seem to stem from driver error actually come from fleet or management negligence. For example, management at a bus company could easily hire an unfit driver. Fleet managers may also schedule drivers with dangerously long shifts, which puts the drivers and their passengers at risk.
Plenty of bus accidents happen because of a lack of maintenance, too. Buses need competent maintenance and routine inspection from dedicated fleet mechanics. When buses are not properly maintained, the problems that result may be a fleet manager or a maintenance worker’s liability. In some cases the bus company may not adequately schedule maintenance, but this is not something that can be put off. Improper maintenance can prove very dangerous!
If I am a passenger in another vehicle involved in a Katy bus collision, who can I sue?
If these are your circumstances, you can likely sue whoever caused the bus accident. This may include the bus owner and operator, the driver of your vehicle, or the driver of another vehicle that caused the accident.
If I am a driver in another vehicle involved in a Katy bus collision, who can I sue?
You can likely sue the bus operator or owner or anyone else who caused the accident, whether directly or indirectly.
Are all Katy bus accident injuries severe?
No, not every injury sustained in a bus accident will be severe, but this does not mean that those without severe injuries should bypass medical attention. It does not mean that if your injuries are “mild,” you cannot pursue a case. It does not mean that potential compensation after a case will be small, either.
What if I don’t know how my Katy bus accident happened?
That’s okay! This is one scenario where a Katy bus lawyer could really help with your case. You might not know all the details of the accident, but it’s our job to find out.
Most people do not know how an accident occurred, even if they were involved firsthand. There’s plenty to focus on when you get into an accident, and nobody blames you for not realizing how or why the accident happened.
A Katy bus accident attorney will use all of the evidence at their disposal to help you determine how your accident occurred. This may include evidence that you collected (like photos of the accident scene), or your lawyer may reach out to other entities to try to gather more evidence (like CCTV footage or event data recorders).
My child was hurt in a Katy school bus accident; is the school district responsible?
Maybe the school district was responsible for the accident, but this isn’t necessarily the case.
When your child is under the care of their school, whether that’s on school property or riding in a school bus, you should expect the school to provide high-quality care. It’s the school’s responsibility, after all. But this does not mean that the school is automatically responsible for anything that goes wrong. Let’s explore:
- Who owns the school bus?
- Some school districts own their buses; others outsource bus work to private companies
- If the school district doesn’t own the bus from the accident, the private bus company may bear responsibility
- Who employs the bus driver?
- Some schools use private bus companies but employ their own drivers
- At-fault drivers’ employers may be partially responsible for a bus accident
- Did the driver, their employer, or the bus owner violate a duty of care to your child/student?
- Drivers must behave responsibly behind the wheel
- School buses need to be properly maintained
- There are safety precautions that should be applied in school buses (regarding seating, etc.)
Filling a lawsuit against school districts usually proves difficult. An attorney can certainly help you, but you may be surprised (and relieved) to find that a different entity could be held liable for your student’s experiences.
What evidence can establish fault in a Katy bus accident case?
Lots of evidence could establish fault in a bus accident case.
Some common examples include:
- Police accident reports
- Statements from other people in the accident, eyewitnesses, etc.
- Documents from the bus company (detailing maintenance, hiring information, etc.)
- Video footage of the accident
How can I prove that I was injured in a Katy bus accident?
Your medical records will be the cornerstone of your proof of injuries following a bus accident. This is why you need to seek medical care as soon as you can after a crash. It will help ensure that the medical information in your records is accurate—plus, the sooner you begin to heal (or doctors can make a plan for you to heal), the sooner your case can truly begin.
When should I file a Katy bus accident claim?
Texas laws prevent a person from filing a claim too long after the event that prompted it. You can ask a lawyer about the statute of limitations (time limit) for your bus accident case.
If a government bus hurt you, you may need to file a special claim within just 180 days of the accident.
Do I need a lawyer after a Katy bus accident?
Experiencing a bus accident often takes a significant emotional, financial, and mental toll on someone’s life. Even before you need to grapple with insurance companies, thoroughly document evidence, or head to court, you can feel overwhelmed and unprepared.
A qualified Katy bus accident lawyer will make the entire process easier. Even though you don’t have to have a lawyer after a bus accident, it’s one of the best ways to help yourself and improve your chances of legal success.
Will my Katy bus accident case go to court?
Probably not, but it’s a possibility. The vast majority of bus accident cases can and do settle outside of court. If your bus accident case goes to court, it’s a good idea to retain a Katy attorney who has experience litigating cases in this manner.
Our Katy Bus Accident Lawyers Can Help After a Bus Accident
How Our Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help You
If a bus accident in Katy hurt you, our bus accident lawyers can help.
Attorneys help their clients record, document, and utilize evidence to prove a liable party’s responsibility and pursue justice.
- Your lawyer will help you fight for the compensation you deserve by negotiating with insurance adjusters
- When you work with a bus accident lawyer, you work with someone who has experience proving negligence and liability
- You can focus on your recovery and rest easy, knowing the intricacies of your bus accident case are being handled by a team of skilled legal professionals
It’s normal to feel confused after an accident—which steps should you take next? Which steps will benefit you the most? Who should you speak to? A lawyer can help answer all of these questions and more. You’re not alone. Protect your rights and protect your emotional and mental well-being by partnering with a Katy bus accident lawyer.
Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers: Serving Katy Bus Accident Survivors
Bus accident survivors shouldn’t need to worry about their legal wellbeing while they heal. Instead of letting your concerns about your bus accident plague you, reach out to Stewart J. Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers today.
We retain a team of knowledgeable, compassionate, and capable Katy bus accident attorneys who prepare to assist clients regardless of circumstances. Our bus accident lawyers have extensive
experience helping accident survivors succeed in and out of court. We recognize that you may be experiencing physical and mental difficulties that are completely new to you—and we’re here to help.
If you were hurt in a bus accident, you don’t need to approach the legal system alone. A skilled Katy bus accident attorney can help simplify the process and improve your chances of success.
The legal team of Stewart J Guss, Injury Accident Lawyers, is nationally recognized for protecting the rights of injured victims for more than 20 years. If you were injured in an accident anywhere, call our office right now for a free consultation! Because we take all of our bus accident cases on a contingency fee basis, you will not owe us a dime unless we win your case. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so call us today at 800-898-4877 or contact us now by clicking here.
Katy Office
6701 Highway Blvd, Suite 205
Katy, Texas 77494
Local Phone: (281) 990-4415
See what past clients have to say:
Review: 5/5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“We received QUALITY service, reliable guidance and we are VERY satisfied with the outcome. Our treatment was both fair & honest; we highly recommend. If one word sums it up, the word would be Exceptional. “Thank you” for all you did!”
-Jeri B.
