Bus travel is often seen as reliable, but in Texas, and across the U.S., bus accidents can be devastating. These large, heavy vehicles carry many passengers and, when crashes occur, even “minor” collisions can result in catastrophic injuries.
At Kherkher Garcia, we have witnessed how a single crash can shatter lives. This guide below explores the causes and liabilities behind bus accidents and the severe injuries involved. Our bus accident attorneys also provide insight into potential personal injury and wrongful death claims, and how our firm helps victims obtain justice.
Texas-Specific Bus Accident Stats
Here are some of the most recent numbers illustrating the severity of bus crashes in Texas:
- Total Nationwide (2024): 13,452 bus accidents, of which 6,860 involved injuries and 171 were fatal. Texas leads all states in total bus crashes.
- Texas (2024): 1,110 total bus accidents reported; 549 resulted in injuries, and 17 were fatal. More than one fatal bus crash per month, on average.
- Texas Department of Transportation (2021): 540 bus crashes in a single year, causing 931 injuries and 21 fatalities. An average of 1.5 bus accidents per day.
- School Bus Specific (2023): 2,523 crashes involving school buses statewide, with 11 deaths and 63 serious injuries. Over 10,000 students were injured in school bus incidents during 2021–22.
These figures highlight the frequency and severity of bus accidents in Texas, confirming that even with safer design standards, catastrophic crash outcomes remain far too common.
Bus Accidents: Causes & Liabilities
Bus accidents often involve overlapping causes:
- Driver factors: Fatigue, distraction, impaired driving (drugs/alcohol), speeding.
- Operator negligence: Inadequate training, over-scheduling, insufficient rest breaks, and negligent maintenance.
- Mechanical defects: Issues with brakes, tires, steering systems, or safety equipment.
- Other drivers: Collisions with buses caused by third parties.
- Roadway hazards: Poor signage, infrastructure defects, weather-related dangers.
- Public entities: Municipalities, school districts, or transit providers may be liable due to faulty oversight, roadway design, or insufficient maintenance.
In Texas, victims can pursue claims against multiple responsible parties simultaneously, including drivers, operators, manufacturers, and governmental agencies. Each party is potentially subject to different legal rules and notice requirements.
Catastrophic Injuries From Bus Accidents
Bus crashes can inflict the following severe injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) from jolting, impact, or passenger ejection.
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis.
- Internal trauma, such as organ damage and internal bleeding.
- Orthopedic trauma, e.g., compound fractures, dislocations, amputations.
- Burns or smoke inhalation in fires or rollover incidents.
- Psychological harm, including PTSD, anxiety, insomnia, and depression.
Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Claims
When a bus accident results in serious injuries or the tragic loss of life, victims and their families may have the right to pursue legal action. Whether you are facing mounting medical bills, long-term disability, or the emotional devastation of losing a loved one, personal injury and wrongful death claims offer a path to justice and financial recovery. Understanding your legal options is the first step toward holding the responsible parties accountable.
Personal Injury Claims
Victims of non-fatal bus accidents can seek compensation for:
- Economic damages: Medical care, rehabilitation, lost wages, home modifications, assistive equipment.
- Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship.
- Punitive damages: In cases involving gross negligence—such as drunk driving or willful misconduct.
These claims require timely filing, generally within two years in Texas, and may involve multiple defendants.
Wrongful Death Claims
When a loved one dies in a bus accident, a wrongful death claim provides legal recourse for surviving family. Some important elements of wrongful death claims include:
- Eligible plaintiffs: The deceased’s spouse, children, or parents.
- Potential damages: Medical and funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and mental anguish.
- Complexity: Wrongful death cases can be more legally complex and may carry higher damages.
Kherkher Garcia assists families in calculating accurate future losses and ensuring all appropriate defendants are held accountable.
Recent Example: 2025 Bastrop County School-Bus Catastrophe
In June 2025, the truck driver responsible for the March 2024 school-bus crash near Bastrop County pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter. The concrete-pump truck collided with a Hays CISD bus carrying 44 pre‑K students and 11 adults. A 5-year-old child and a doctoral student were killed, dozens were severely injured, and the driver admitted to fatigue and drug use
This case underscores the criminal and civil liability that can arise when drivers act recklessly.
How Kherkher Garcia Helps Bus Accident Victims
When catastrophic bus crashes occur, Kherkher Garcia provides:
- Comprehensive Investigations: On-site exams, data-log retrieval, driver record checks, and maintenance audits.
- Expert Teams: Specialists in crash reconstruction, medicine, life-care planning, and economics.
- Strategic Legal Action: Identifying liable parties—including school districts or transit authorities subject to special rules.
- Aggressive Advocacy: Dealing with powerful insurance companies and taking cases to trial as needed.
- Full-Circle Compensation: Seeking damages for all present and future needs—medical care, lost income, emotional distress, lost quality of life, and punitive damages when applicable.
FAQ’s about Bus Accident Claims in Texas
Q: How long do I have to file?
A: Personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the accident. Wrongful death claims also follow this deadline, but claims involving school districts or government agencies often require earlier statutory notice.
Q: Who can be sued?
A: Possible defendants include:
- The at-fault bus driver
- The bus company/operator
- Manufacturers or maintenance providers
- Other at-fault motorists
- Governmental entities (e.g., school districts or transit agencies)
Q: What evidence is needed?
A: We gather police reports, light-of-day photos, video, black-box data, logs, maintenance records, medical reports, and expert analysis to establish liability.
Q: What damages can survivors recover?
A: In wrongful death cases, families may recover:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost financial support and benefits
- Loss of companionship and grief
- Punitive damages in egregious cases
Q: Should I hire a lawyer?
A: Yes. These cases involve complex investigations, technical evidence, and often multiple defendants. A skilled law firm ensures fuller compensation and legal compliance.
Contact a Bus Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a bus accident in Texas, don’t wait:
- Preserve evidence: Preserver driver logs, footage, maintenance data, and witness information.
- Act promptly: Be aware of deadlines and statutes of limitations that may apply.
- Engage experienced counsel: Bus accident cases are intricate, and an experienced attorney can help ensure success.
- Secure justice & compensation: Secure compensation for medical care, income loss, emotional suffering, and future needs.
Kherkher Garcia offers free consultations and works on contingency – you pay nothing unless we win. Contact us today to protect your rights and start the path to recovery.
Get Help Now with a Free Consultation
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a bus accident, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Medical bills, lost wages, emotional trauma, and the stress of dealing with insurance companies can feel overwhelming. You have rights and Kherkher Garcia is here to protect them.
Our experienced legal team understands the unique challenges of bus accident cases. We know how to uncover the truth, hold negligent parties accountable, and fight for full and fair compensation. Whether your case involves a school bus, city transit, private charter, or government-operated vehicle, we have the knowledge, resources, and determination to take on powerful opponents and win.
We offer free, no-obligation consultations, and you won’t pay anything unless we secure compensation for you. Don’t wait. Valuable evidence can disappear and strict deadlines may apply.
Contact Kherkher Garcia today and take the first step toward justice, healing, and a stronger future. Call us at 713-333-1030, or submit our online contact form to get started.
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