Houston Metro Bus Accident Lawyer
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It comes as no surprise that the densely populated city of Houston is home to the one of the largest public bus systems in the United States. The sheer volume of traffic on the roads means that despite even the best of intentions, accidents are likely to occur. Regardless of the intent of Houston Metro employees, it is still the responsibility of the Metro to provide compensation if any of its passengers are hurt due to negligence or recklessness. When it comes to Houston Metro bus accidents, there are many hurdles an injured person must cross to receive compensation from this municipal entity. The Pascoe Law Firm is familiar with the procedural requirements necessary to obtain monetary recompense for injuries sustained as a passenger, pedestrian or motorist.
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When Your Bus Accident Occurs on a Houston Metro Bus
There are much stricter guidelines in place for those filing lawsuits against a Texas governmental entity, including much shorter statutes of limitations. Buses that are government-run, such as the Harris County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, require those injured in a bus accident to file a claim within a certain time frame. The U.S. Government has enacted the Federal Tort Claims Act which waives immunity for a governmental entity and also allows an injured person to file a claim based on acts or omissions. Further requirements of the Federal Tort Claims Act include:
- The facts which support your claim of injury must be specific enough to allow the governmental entity the ability to conduct a proper investigation.
- The facts supporting your claim must include a specific amount for your damages, such as the total amount of your medical bills.
- The government has six months in which to rule on your claim.
- If the governmental entity admits fault, you will be compensated for your injury. The amount of compensation may be what you claimed as damages or could be only a portion of that amount.
- If your claim is denied, you may file a lawsuit for your injuries, but that lawsuit must be filed within two years of the denial.
Types of Houston Metro Bus Accident Cases
There are many factors to consider whenever evaluating an accident case to determine cause and fault and it is essential to collect as much evidence as possible shortly after an accident to refute claims made by Metro that might contradict your version of events. The types and causes of Houston METRO bus accidents often include the following:
- Collisions With Other Vehicles— the force of an impact may throw passengers from their seats or off of their feet, causing harm due to falls or crashes with objects.
- Poorly Maintained Buses— critical components such as brakes and tires should be inspected and maintained to prevent accidents that occur when these devices fail to perform as intended. In the event of a crash, the service records of the bus that was involved should be examined to determine whether proper safety protocol was followed preceding the incident.
- Distracted or Fatigued Bus Driver— overworked bus drivers are increasingly more common as most are forced to work demanding schedules. Distractions and tiredness are both proven to slow reaction time and contribute to accidents and the state of the driver at the time of a crash must be evaluated when evaluating fault.
- Influence of Alcohol and Drug Use by Operators— it is an unfortunate reality that despite every effort to prevent the use of controlled substances while operating commercial vehicles, some drivers still make the reckless decision to use drugs or drink alcohol while on duty. The driver involved in any METRO bus accident should be subject to a drug and alcohol test at the time of the incident, and if he or she tests positive, the Houston METRO is responsible for its employee’s actions.
What Should I Do If I Am in a Bus Accident?
Following a crash involving any type of vehicle, you should first call 911 and check to see if you or anyone else is hurt. If you or anyone else is injured, you should seek immediate medical attention. After your injuries have been treated and only if you’re physically able, try to collect as much evidence as you can, including:
- Witness information
- Police and medical reports
- Pictures of the accident scene and your injuries
- Your written notes about the incident
Contact A Houston METRO Bus Accident Lawyer Today
The Houston METRO employs a team of experienced and calculating attorneys to limit the impact it must face in light of personal injury lawsuits filed by victims involved in accidents involving its buses and trains. If you suffered injuries in a city of Houston METRO bus accident, contact the Pascoe Law Firm today to speak with an attorney about your legal rights and options and to schedule a free consultation so that we may evaluate and build your case. If you have been injured in a bus accident due to the negligence of the driver or the City of Houston METRO, you may want to talk to an experienced attorney to go over what legal rights you have available to you following a Houston Metro Bus accident. For more information see our main Bus Accident page. Call our Houston METRO bus accident lawyer today for a free consultation on your case at 713-829-4317.
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