Were you or a loved one injured in a Laredo bus accident? Buses carry dozens of passengers without seat belts or airbags, leaving riders exposed to severe injuries in a collision or sudden stop.
If this happened to you, a Laredo bus accident lawyer at Trujillo Gonzalez, P.C. can investigate the crash and help you seek the compensation you deserve. Call (972) 550-6818 to set up a free consultation.
Why Choose Trujillo Gonzalez, P.C. for Your Bus Accident Case?
Bus accident claims can be complex. Commercial bus companies are represented by large, aggressive insurers, and government transit entities operate under special legal immunities and rules.
Winning these cases takes experienced trial lawyers with the resources to stand up to powerful corporate and government defendants.
Local residents trust our Laredo personal injury attorneys because:
- We have taken more than 300 cases and arbitrations to verdict and boast hundreds of years of combined experience.
- We have recovered over $275 million for clients across Texas.
- We have a local office in Laredo and provide full legal services in both English and Spanish.
- Our legal team is available 24/7 and offers contingency fees in all cases.
Contact us today to discuss your claim with a Laredo bus accident attorney.
Where Do Bus Accidents Happen in Laredo?
Laredo has a large mix of public and private bus traffic. Each of these buses is capable of causing a serious accident.
Our attorneys handle crash claims involving:
- El Metro city buses run by the City of Laredo
- School buses operated by Laredo ISD, United ISD, or local private schools
- Charter and tour buses traveling across Texas and the Mexican border
- Intercity buses like Greyhound, Omnibus de Mexico, and Turimex
- Hotel, airport, and parking shuttles
- Passenger vans run by churches, senior centers, or non-profits
- Commercial border shuttles operating near international ports of entry
The type of vehicle that caused the crash ultimately determines how your lawsuit will proceed. Claims against public transit agencies have special rules, while private bus companies fall under state and federal commercial vehicle regulations.
What if You Were Hurt in a Public Transit Bus Crash?
If your accident involved a city bus or public school bus, your claim falls under the Texas Tort Claims Act. Filing a claim against a government entity involves special procedural requirements.
Government agencies usually have immunity from lawsuits unless a statute waives it. Texas law waives immunity for personal injuries caused by the negligent operation of a motor vehicle, which covers most public bus crashes.
Formal Notice Deadlines
Under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.101, you must generally send written notice of your claim to the government agency within six months of the crash. This notice must explain the damages, date, and facts of the incident. Some cities set even shorter deadlines. Missing a notice deadline can permanently eliminate your right to compensation.
Government Damage Caps
Under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.023, personal injury damages against a city are usually capped at $250,000 per person and $500,000 per incident. Higher limits apply to state agencies. These caps restrict what you can recover overall.
What Rules Apply to Private Bus Companies?
Commercial passenger carriers must follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) standards under 49 C.F.R. Parts 390-399.
Key safety requirements include:
- Limits on driver hours to prevent fatigue
- Mandatory drug and alcohol testing for drivers
- Routine vehicle inspection, repair, and maintenance schedules
- Proper driver qualifications and safety training records
- Required insurance and financial responsibility coverage
Under 49 C.F.R. § 387.33, interstate bus companies carrying 16 or more passengers must hold at least $5 million in liability insurance. Companies with smaller vehicles must carry at least $1.5 million. These high policy limits offer a strong source of compensation for your injuries.
What Causes Most Bus Accidents in Laredo?
Most bus crashes happen because of driver errors or a company’s failure to follow defined safety rules. Common causes include:
- Driver fatigue from working too many hours
- Distractions from phones or dispatch radios
- Driving too fast for traffic or weather conditions
- Ignoring red lights or stop signs
- Failing to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Improperly secured cargo
- Mechanical failures from poorly maintained brakes or tires
- Negligent hiring, training, or supervision
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Most of these causes are avoidable through the use of reasonable care. An experienced attorney can identify the reasons for your crash and identify the liable parties who are responsible for your damages.
Common Injuries in Laredo Bus Crashes
Buses usually lack seat belts. Accordingly, passengers can be thrown around during an impact. Smaller vehicles generally cannot withstand the size and force of a bus during a collision, leading to serious injuries for the vehicle’s occupants.
Common injuries include:
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken bones
- Herniated discs
- Back injuries
- Internal injuries
- Cuts and nerve damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Wrongful death
Older adults, children, and disabled riders are especially vulnerable to severe harm during a collision.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Laredo Bus Crash?
Bus accident claims generally feature two types of damages: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages cover direct financial expenses from the accident, such as:
- Emergency care
- Surgeries
- Physical therapy
- Ongoing rehab
- Expected future medical bills
- Lost income
- Reduced future earning ability
Non-economic damages cover personal, non-financial harm, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Physical impairment
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
If a bus crash is fatal (and many are), eligible family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.001 et seq. These claims account for the losses a victim experiences pre-death, plus the damages experienced by surviving family members. Examples include lost financial support, mental anguish, loss of companionship, and funeral costs.
An experienced attorney can help you determine the damages available in your claim.
How Comparative Fault Affects Your Payout
Insurance companies often try to blame the injured party, claiming a passenger failed to hold a handrail or a driver caused the collision.
Texas uses modified comparative fault rules (technically called proportionate responsibility) — Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001. Under these rules, your payout is reduced if you share fault, but only by your percentage of fault. However, if you are found more than 50% responsible, you cannot collect any damages.
An example of how this works: if you are 30% at fault, your damages are reduced by 30%. If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover compensation.
Sharing blame isn’t a block to seeking compensation. Your attorney can evaluate whether you actually share fault and challenge any attempts to place liability on you unfairly.
How Long Do You Have to File a Bus Accident Lawsuit?
Under the statute of limitations, the Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003 requires most personal injury lawsuits to be filed within two years of the crash date. Wrongful death claims have the same window but start on the date of the individual’s death.
If a public transit agency is involved, stricter notice rules apply, often requiring written notice within 45 to 90 days.
If you miss the deadlines, you will lose your right to take legal action in court. Don’t let that happen to you. Reach out to an attorney today to get started.
How Much Does a Bus Accident Lawyer Cost?
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront legal fees, and the firm receives a percentage of your recovery (typically between 33% and 40%) at the end of your case. If your attorneys do not win your case, you owe no attorney fees.
How a Laredo Bus Accident Attorney Helps Your Case
Bus accident claims are not just bigger car accident claims that you should handle yourself. They feature large, powerful defendants and special rules that penalize you if you get them wrong. An attorney can handle all aspects of your claim.
Your attorney will:
- Investigate the crash scene and collect video, police reports, and witness statements
- Send formal legal notices to save dashcam video, logging data, and maintenance records
- Identify all at-fault parties, including transit agencies, bus companies, and third parties
- Meet all notice requirements for claims against government entities
- Hire reconstruction experts to establish how the crash happened
- Document your injuries and work directly with your doctors
- Calculate financial losses using medical experts, care planners, and economists
- Handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies
- Demand full compensation for your economic and personal losses
- File a lawsuit and present your case in court if the insurer refuses a fair settlement
Getting legal help early protects your rights and keeps your options open.
Contact a Laredo Bus Accident Lawyer Today
A bus collision can disrupt every aspect of your life, from your health and finances to your work and hobbies. You deserve a strong advocate who can fight for full accountability when negligence causes an avoidable accident.
Contact Trujillo Gonzalez, P.C. at (972) 550-6818 to speak with a Laredo bus accident lawyer today. Se habla español.
