Bus Accident Attorneys in San Angelo

We’ll Help You Recover the Compensation You Deserve

Busses can be top-heavy and unstable. If a tire blows out or another incident occurs, the bus can easily roll over, injuring bus passengers.

In Texas, bus operators — including transit authorities, school districts, and charter companies — are legally classified as ‘common carriers,’ which holds them to a higher duty of care than an ordinary driver. This means a bus company can be found liable even for negligence that would not be enough to hold a typical motorist responsible.

The San Angelo bus accident lawyers of Webb, Stokes & Sparks have the experience to ensure these parties are held responsible and fair compensation is obtained.

A Full Investigation of the Bus Wreck

Webb, Stokes & Sparks will begin your case by investigating the bus crash. We speak with police officers and others who were involved in the wreck or were witnesses. We find the insurance provider for the other party and put them on notice. If necessary, we hire accident reconstructionists to examine the collision. We can also guide you through insurance negotiations, advise you on evidence preservation, and help you with other aspects of your case.

Common Causes of Bus Crashes in Texas

Bus crashes can happen for many reasons, and determining what caused the collision can be important when identifying who may be responsible for an injured passenger, pedestrian, or other motorist. Common causes of bus crashes in Texas include:

• Driver distraction — Using a phone, adjusting controls, talking with passengers, or engaging in other distractions can take a driver’s attention away from the road.
• Driver fatigue — Long hours, inadequate rest, or demanding schedules may affect a driver’s alertness and reaction time.
• Speeding or unsafe driving — Driving too fast for traffic, weather, or road conditions can make it harder to stop or avoid a collision.
• Driving under the influence — Alcohol or drugs can impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time.
• Failure to yield or follow traffic signals — A bus driver who fails to yield the right of way or obey traffic signs can cause a serious crash.
• Improper lane changes or turns — The size and limited maneuverability of buses can make unsafe lane changes or turns particularly dangerous.
• Inadequate driver training or supervision — A bus company may face questions about whether drivers were properly trained, qualified, or supervised.
• Poor vehicle maintenance — Worn tires, defective brakes, steering problems, or other maintenance issues can contribute to a crash.
• Unsafe road or weather conditions — Construction zones, damaged pavement, poor visibility, flooding, or other hazardous conditions can increase the risk of a collision.
• Defective or malfunctioning equipment — A mechanical or manufacturing defect may contribute to a crash and could raise additional questions about responsibility.

Identifying the cause of a bus crash often requires more than simply reviewing the accident report. An investigation may involve witness statements, vehicle records, maintenance records, photographs, electronic data, and other evidence that can help establish what happened.

Bus accidents are commonly the result of driver negligence, as well as the negligence of their employer and throughout the organization they drive for. Our attorneys can identify the responsible party and hold them accountable for their negligence.

Were You Seriously Injured in a Bus Accident?

Our lawyers work to develop a clear understanding of the entirety of your injuries. We want to present a full picture of how the injuries will affect you now and in the years to come. We obtain compensation that provides for your wage loss, medical bills, and your future needs. It is our goal to help you get the best treatment available so you can recover from your injuries and return to your life.

Webb, Stokes & Sparks represents San Angelo bus accident victims with injuries including:

• Broken bones
• Catastrophic injuries (closed head injuries, back injuries, amputation)
• Traumatic brain injury and
• Spinal cord injuries
• Disfigurement or scarring

Our team pursues compensation for medical costs, lost wages, future earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

Documenting Your Bus Collision

Evidence can become harder to obtain as time passes. If you are physically able to do so after a bus collision, consider taking these steps to preserve information about the crash and your injuries:

1. Photograph the accident scene. Take pictures of the vehicles, bus, roadway, traffic signals, visible damage, weather or road conditions, and any other details that may help show how the collision occurred.
2. Collect contact information. Obtain the names and contact information of witnesses, other drivers, and anyone else who may have relevant information about the crash. Keep the bus company’s information and route or vehicle details if available.
3. Keep medical and financial records. Save medical bills, treatment records, prescriptions, receipts, employment records, and documentation of missed work or other losses related to your injuries.
4. Preserve communications and other evidence. Keep photographs, videos, insurance correspondence, police reports, messages, and other records related to the collision. Do not discard potentially relevant documents or evidence.

You should also seek appropriate medical attention after a bus collision, even if some injuries do not appear immediately. Medical records can help document the connection between the collision and your injuries and may provide important evidence when pursuing a claim.

Private Bus or Public Bus?

The type of bus involved in a collision can affect the legal issues surrounding an injury claim. A crash may involve a privately operated bus, a school bus, a charter or tour bus, or a bus operated by a government entity.

With a private bus, potentially responsible parties may include the bus driver, the company that employs or operates the bus, a vehicle owner, a maintenance provider, or another party whose negligence contributed to the collision.

A public bus may involve additional considerations when a city, county, transit authority, school district, or other governmental entity operates the vehicle. Claims involving government entities can be subject to different procedures, notice requirements, and deadlines than claims involving private companies.

Determining who is responsible requires looking at the specific circumstances of the crash. Webb, Stokes & Sparks can investigate the collision, identify potentially responsible parties, and pursue the compensation available for injuries and losses.

The firm’s existing bus accident practice includes investigating crashes, speaking with witnesses and law enforcement, identifying insurance coverage, and using accident reconstruction professionals when appropriate.