Houston Bus Accident Lawyer

Determining Liability in Bus Accidents

Bus accidents tend to be far more complex than most motor vehicle accidents for one simple reason – the number of parties involved. In addition to having a high passenger count, accidents involving buses also raise the complicated question of liability. Unlike most car accidents, in which liability is mostly determined by the actions of the individual drivers, liability for a bus crash can depend on many different factors, and may be placed on several different parties.

Driver Fault – the gut reaction to a bus crash is the blame it solely on the actions of the bus driver. Though this is not necessarily true, driver error can and does play an important causal role in many bus crashes. If a driver is operating the vehicle while intoxicated or sleep-deprived, for example, accidents are more likely to occur.

Company Fault – under a doctrine called respondeat superior (trans. “Let the master answer”), bus companies are almost always partially responsible for the actions of their employees. They have a duty to hire qualified individuals and ensure that those individuals perform their job correctly. Furthermore, if a bus company failed to adequately inspect or maintain its vehicles, it may also be at fault for causing an accident.

Manufacturer Fault – sometimes, both the bus driver and the bus company may be the innocent victims of manufacturer error. Faulty mechanical parts could cause steering problems, brake failure, or other serious problems which are extremely likely to result in a crash.

In the aftermath of a bus accident, you should not have to fight for compensation on your own. Call 800-220-9341 to speak to a bus accident lawyer at Williams Kherkher about your situation.