Bus Accident in Texas Capital Leaves 9 Injured
Just a few weeks ago, on July 27th, two public transit buses crashed in southeast Austin. The incident sent nine victims to local hospitals.
What Happened
The accident occurred at approximately 6:20 p.m. in southeast Austin. The driver of an empty bus was traveling on South Pleasant Valley Road, when for unknown reasons, he failed to maintain his distance and instead plowed into the rear end of another bus that did have passengers.
Onboard video from the Capital Metro bus shows the driver approaching the other vehicle and failing to slow down before slamming into it, smashing the bus’ glass windshield while the operator is hurled forward.
The negligent driver appears to be confused as the bus continues moving forward for several more yards.
He has been placed on administrative leave following the incident.
Incidents like this can be a traumatic experience made even more challenging because of the circumstances. Since the incident involved public transportation – legally known as common carriers – those who have suffered an injury may not know where to turn to or who do seek compensation from.
Your dedicated Houston personal injury and car accident attorneys at Lapeze & Johns have the knowledge to help you obtain the recovery you need. We know that public transportation injury law can be complicated, but we have the experience and ability to help successfully resolve your case – and we will not receive a single penny until you have been paid first.
If you are ever injured in a public transportation accident, please consider the following.
Common Carrier Laws
In large Texas cities like Houston, public transportation plays an important role for citizens. Users of mass transportation vehicles have certain rights in incidents involving common carriers, which can include buses.
Common carriers are held to high standards in the protection of their passengers and are responsible for:
- Ensuring drivers are sober and drug-free
- Ensuring all drivers and workers are licensed and properly trained
- Monitoring worker hours and driving records
- Maintaining and repairing vehicles
- Ensuring all vehicles meet federal and state safety standards
The standards are intended to protect passengers, but when a common carrier fails to meet these requirements, the safety and well-being of passengers are at risk.
Who Can Be Held Liable
It is important for those injured in a public transportation accident to understand that there may be numerous parties responsible for their injuries, including:
- The bus driver
- The company that is responsible for maintaining the bus
- A parts manufacturer
- The last party to perform maintenance on the vehicle
Trust our Houston car accident attorneys to find the responsible parties and bring them to justice.
The process of filing a claim against a public transportation differs from a standard personal injury suit because of the municipal agencies involved. Filing a claim must generally be done much more quickly than a traditional claim and should be completed as soon as possible.
This process can be grueling; that’s why you need a knowledgeable lawyer to protect your rights.
If you have been the victim of a bus accident, then you need Houston’s own Lapeze & Johns. Contact us today at (713) 739-1010 for your free legal consultation.
Source: KXAN
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