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Texas School Bus Accident Lawyers

Dedicated School Bus Accident Attorneys Available 24/7 to Assist You

No parent should have to fear their child taking the bus to school, but every day more children are injured due to accidents involving school buses. Among the most tragic, and most deadly, are those that occur while a child is boarding or exiting a school bus.

If your child has been injured in a school bus accident in Texas, contact our offices immediately. Our school bus accident lawyers will work to protect your child’s rights and hold those responsible for your child’s injuries responsible.

School Transportation-Related Accidents

According to NHTSA, school buses are one of the safest modes of transportation there is. School buses are approximately seven times safer than regular passenger vehicles and light trucks, and yet most do not have seat belts installed. Large buses are not required to have seatbelts, but smaller buses (less than 10,000 pounds) must be equipped with lap or lap/shoulder seat belts.

Although a mere 0.4 percent of fatal motor vehicle crashes were classified as school transportation-related between 2005 and 2014, accidents involving school buses do occur. Between 2005 and 2014, an average of 133 people were killed annually in school transportation-related accidents. This number includes passengers on the school transportation vehicle, occupants of other vehicles, and nonoccupants, such as pedestrians and bicyclists.

Recent School Bus Accidents

The horrifying school bus crash in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in November 2016 has put school bus accidents back on the map. Six children were killed and a dozen others hospitalized after the bus driver negligently took a curve in the road at high speeds, crashing the bus into a utility pole and a tree.

Investigators discovered the driver had three prior bus crashes before the fatal incident. Parents should not have to worry about the safety of their children when they send them off to school. Negligence on the part of a bus driver, school bus company, or school district could lead to serious injuries or even death.

Was Your Child Injured in a School Bus Accident in Texas? Call Thomas J. Henry Law

At Thomas J. Henry Law, our school bus crash and accident attorneys have the experience and resources to handle your child’s case. If your child has been injured in a school bus accident, contact our offices. Our firm has offices in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and Houston serving clients across Texas and nationwide. Our experienced school bus accident lawyers are available 24/7, nights and weekends, and can provide you with a free case review.

Contact Us for a Free Case Review

866-517-5659

info@tjhlaw.com

Contact Us for a Free Case Review

866-517-5659
info@tjhlaw.com

Your Questions Answered

We have straight answers to difficult questions
to help you make critical decisions, navigate
legal process and help you get justice.

Following an accident, there are always more questions
than answers. At Thomas J. Henry, we’re here to answer
any questions you have about your injury case.

In the United States, “commercial vehicle” is a pretty broad term. Many times, when a layman thinks of a commercial vehicle, they think of a delivery truck or an 18-wheeler; however, in the United States, commercial vehicles can also include fleet vehicles, passenger transports, company cars, and other vehicles used for business.

In the United States, a vehicle may be considered a commercial vehicle if:

It is titled or registered to a company or a corporation.
Is used for business, but is under the name of a sole proprietor for that business.
Is a leased vehicle and in the name of the financial institution that owns it.
Exceeds a certain weight or class, even if it is not used commercially or company-owned. Generally, any vehicle with a weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more is considered a commercial vehicle, regardless of use or ownership.
Is used in the transportation of hazardous materials.

Note that a vehicle used for business may remain privately licensed depending on the amount of time it is used for business.

Among the commercial vehicles that most occupy public roadways are:

Large trucks
Box trucks
Delivery trucks
Semi-trucks
Tractor-trailers
Travel trailers exceeding 10,000 pounds
Large vans (intended to carry more than 15 passengers)
Taxicabs
Coaches
Buses
Heavy equipment (backhoes, bulldozers, large farm equipment, etc.)

Commercial vehicle and truck accident cases can be complex because there are multiple parties that could be held liable for your injuries, including the vehicle’s driver, the company that owns or operates the commercial motor vehicle, or the vehicle’s manufacturer. Companies are generally responsible for the actions of their employees. Unqualified management of a commercial vehicle fleet could lead to unqualified drivers. Employers may be liable for:

Failure to properly train drivers
Failure to maintain vehicle
Negligent hiring practices
Failure to verify proper driver licensing or certification
Negligent supervision

Deciding who to sue (and where to sue) largely depends on the facts surrounding your case and how the accident was caused. An attorney with experience handling commercial vehicle accidents understands how to determine who the negligent party is. Thomas J. Henry has helped victims in commercial motor vehicle accidents stand up against large companies and corporations and get them the compensation they deserve. When up against a law firm with extensive legal and financial resources and a proven record of winning big cases, companies are more apt to offer an appropriate settlement amount.

As long as the truck driver is an employee of a commercial vehicle or trucking company, your lawsuit will seek damages from both the driver as well the company who employs the driver. Texas law is very clear on this, stating that commercial vehicle companies are responsible for the negligent actions of their employees. In addition to being responsible for driver negligence, commercial vehicle companies are also responsible for ensuring:

Their drivers have obtained and maintained proper licensing to operate a commercial vehicle
Their drivers have not committed any disqualifying criminal offenses that would compromise their CDL
Their drivers understand they are prohibited from using handheld devices while driving
Their drivers are in compliance with hours of service regulations at all times
Their vehicles are properly maintained and inspected regularly

Failure to adhere to these regulations or any others coded in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act (FMCSA) can result in a trucking company being held responsible for your injuries. In some cases, your attorney may decide it is best for you to sue the trucking company only and not the driver. This is because you are seeking compensation for your injuries and any other damages. While you may want to bring the driver to justice, limiting your lawsuit to the company might be the most financially viable action and the most likely to help you in your recovery.

Depending on the size of the commercial motor vehicle and the severity of the wreck, injuries can widely vary. For example, a crash involving an 80,000 lb. semi-truck and a passenger vehicle could result in catastrophic injuries or death. Common commercial vehicle accident injuries include:

Spinal cord injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Internal organ injuries
Fractures and broken bones
Soft tissue injuries (such as whiplash)
Cuts and lacerations
Psychological and mental injuries

Why Choose Us

No Win, No Fee

Thomas J. Henry offers a "No Fee Promise." We work on a contingency fee basis which means you do not pay our firm any fees unless and until we win your case. Learn more.

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Help with Bills

If you've been hurt, you may have a damaged vehicle or be unable to work. We can help get you a rental car if your vehicle is damaged and even advance money on qualified cases.

Full-Service Injury Firm

We handle all types of injury cases, including vehicle accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, vehicle recalls, product recalls, pharmaceutical cases, mass tort, and more.

We Come to You

If you've been hurt, you may not be able to come into our offices to speak to an attorney. Don't worry, we will come to you wherever you are – at home, work, or hospital.

Why Choose Us - Over 250 Attorneys Available

Largest Injury Firm in Texas

We have 250+ personal injury attorneys available 24/7 to help you and your family. We have the power and resources to handle any case. Call now for your free case review.

Nationally Recognized

Our firm wins top verdict awards each year and has been featured in Texas Monthly, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Newsweek.com, Forbes, Fortune, Parenting Magazine and more.

Top Verdicts & Settlements

We win some of the top verdicts, settlements, and judgments in the country. Recent recoveries include $50 million for a trucking accident, $35 million for a trucking accident and $30.2 million for a vehicle recall accident.

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