16 People Injured In Houston Baptist Church Bus Accident After Turning Into Neighborhood
HOUSTON, TEXAS (December 26, 2022) – At least 16 people were injured including 14 children after a Houston church bus rolled over as it was turning into a neighborhood.
Harris County officials are saying that the accident took place around 12:30 p.m. Sunday. The church bus was making a left turn near an apartment complex when the bus overturned.
Eye witnesses said that the bus may have been speeding prior to the accident. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help all of the victims.
Three adults and thirteen children were taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Houston Bus Accidents
Speed remains one of the most common causes of car accidents in the United States. According to the NHTSA, “For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities. In 2020, speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities.” Buses are top heavy and are more prone to tipping over at higher speeds. There are many other factors that could contribute to a bus accident.
- Tire tread failures
- Bus driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Inclement weather
Bus drivers will need to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. A serious traffic infraction can jeopardize a bus driver’s ability to maintain their CDL. Pursuant to Texas Transportation Code Section 545.351, no person shall operate a motor vehicle at a speed greater than would be reasonable or safe given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. If a bus driver was speeding at the time of a collision, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
The company that a bus driver worked for could also be liable for a collision. Generally speaking, companies are vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a bus driver may have been transporting passengers when they crashed. There are many steps that should be taken after any bus accident.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Work records should be reviewed.
The FMCSA requires buses that can carry 16 or more passengers to have at least $5,000,000 worth of liability coverage. Any person that is injured in a bus accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the expenses that can come with a serious injury. A bus accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Texas Bus Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this Houston bus accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. This was a preventable accident that should not have taken place.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Texas bus accident? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of bus accident attorneys are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of help after an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
