Austin Bus Accident Attorney

Support After A Serious Bus Crash

A bus crash can change your life in seconds. One moment you are riding across town or driving alongside a city bus, and the next you may be facing injuries, hospital visits, and calls from insurance adjusters. It is common to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next.

At the Law Offices Of Vic Feazell, P.C., we help people who have been hurt in bus collisions in the Austin area. Our team focuses on holding negligent drivers, companies, and other responsible parties accountable while you focus on your health. We represent injured passengers, drivers in other vehicles, pedestrians, and families who have lost loved ones in bus crashes.

We work on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay legal fees unless there is a favorable outcome in your case. Our goal is to guide you through each step with clear communication, practical advice, and determined advocacy when insurance companies try to minimize your losses.

Call (254) 938-6885 to request a free consultation and speak with our team today.

Common Types of Buses in Austin

Austin’s growth has led to a diverse array of bus traffic. Identifying the type of bus involved is the first step in determining which laws apply to your case.

• CapMetro (Public Transit): The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority operates dozens of routes, including MetroBus, MetroRapid, and MetroExpress. These cases often involve the Texas Tort Claims Act.
• School Buses: Serving Austin ISD and surrounding districts like Round Rock or Eanes ISD, these vehicles carry our most precious cargo but are subject to specific "sovereign immunity" protections.
• Charter and Tour Buses: Often used for Austin City Limits (ACL) or SXSW, these private carriers are regulated by federal motor carrier safety standards.
• UT Shuttles: Managed by CapMetro for the University of Texas at Austin, these buses navigate high-pedestrian areas daily.
• Private Shuttles and "Party Buses": Frequently seen in the 6th Street or Rainey Street districts, these often lack the rigorous oversight of public transit.

Common Causes of Bus Collisions

Because buses are significantly more difficult to maneuver, stop, and see out of than standard passenger vehicles, "human error" is rarely the only factor. Our investigation often uncovers systemic negligence, such as:

• Driver Fatigue: Bus drivers often work long shifts. Exhaustion can lead to reaction times similar to intoxicated driving.
• Distracted Driving: Texting, using GPS, or even interacting with unruly passengers can take a driver’s eyes off the road.
• Inadequate Training: Handling a 40,000-pound vehicle requires specialized skills. If a company puts an undertrained driver behind the wheel, they are liable for the outcome.
• Mechanical Failure: Faulty brakes, worn tires, or steering defects are often the result of skipped inspections or "corner-cutting" on maintenance.
• Large Blind Spots: Also known as "No Zones," these areas make it easy for a bus driver to side-swipe a smaller vehicle during a lane change.

Common Bus Crash Injuries

Unlike cars, many buses—especially older school buses and city transit—do not have seatbelts. This leaves passengers vulnerable to being thrown across the interior or ejected during an impact.

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Caused by the head striking windows, poles, or seats.
• Spinal Cord Damage: The violent jolting of a bus crash can lead to herniated discs or permanent paralysis.
• Internal Organ Damage: Blunt force trauma from the "jerk" of a collision can cause internal bleeding.
• Crush Injuries: Common in accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists struck by the heavy frame of the bus.
• Fractured Bones: Impact with the hard surfaces of the bus interior often results in broken limbs, ribs, or hips.

Texas Bus Driving Laws

Texas law sets a high bar for bus operators. Under the Common Carrier Doctrine, entities that transport the public for a fee are held to a higher "duty of care" than regular drivers.

• Texas School Bus Laws: Motorists must stop for flashing red lights on a school bus unless separated by a physical median. Failure to do so can result in fines up to $1,250.
• The Texas Tort Claims Act: If you are hit by a CapMetro bus, you are suing a government entity. This law requires you to provide "formal notice" of your claim much faster than a standard car accident—sometimes within 90 to 180 days, depending on the municipality.
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Requirements: Bus drivers must meet strict medical and testing standards. If a driver was operating without a valid CDL or with an expired medical certificate, it is a major point of liability.

Liability for a Bus Accident?

Determining who is at fault is rarely straightforward. In many cases, multiple parties share the blame.

• The Bus Driver: For reckless driving, speeding, or DUI.
• The Bus Company: For "negligent entrustment" (hiring a driver with a bad record) or failing to maintain the fleet.
• Maintenance Providers: If a third-party shop failed to fix a known brake issue.
• The Manufacturer: If a defective part, like a steering column or tire, caused the crash.
• Government Entities: If poor road design or a lack of signage contributed to the incident.

Bus Accident Claim FAQs

How long do I have to file a claim in Austin?

In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years. However, if the bus is owned by the City of Austin or CapMetro, the "notice of claim" deadline is much shorter—often as little as six months.

What if I was a passenger on the bus?

Passengers have a very strong case for compensation because they are almost never at fault for the crash. Whether the bus driver or another motorist caused the accident, you are likely entitled to damages.

How much is my bus accident case worth?

Settlements vary based on the severity of your injuries. While minor injury claims may settle for $10,000–$50,000, catastrophic cases involving surgery or permanent disability can reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

Can I sue if my child was injured on a school bus?

Yes, but these cases are complex. You must prove that the injury arose from the "operation or use of a motor-driven vehicle" to bypass sovereign immunity protections under Texas law.

Why Injured Riders Choose Our Firm

When a bus crash involves a city transit operator, school district, or large charter company, you may be going up against powerful institutions and their insurers. Our firm is shaped by Vic Feazell’s long history of standing up to those kinds of forces. His work exposing the truth in the Henry Lee Lucas matter and obtaining a Guinness World Record libel judgment shows that we are not afraid to challenge well-funded opponents.

We rely on a proprietary internal system called The Vic Feazell Method to manage our cases. This framework guides how we investigate, organize facts, prepare legal arguments, and present demands. For someone hurt in a bus collision, this means we work to preserve key evidence, understand potential sources of liability, and stay ready for negotiation or trial.

Our record includes multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements in catastrophic injury and wrongful death matters. These results demonstrate what determined representation can achieve, although every case is different and outcomes depend on the specific facts and law involved. We also bring investigative and prosecutorial insight from high profile legal leadership, which helps us sort through complex questions about how a bus crash happened and who may be responsible.

Clients who come to us after a crash in Austin tell us they want both personal attention and serious resources. We work to deliver both. Our team combines boutique-level culture with the capacity and infrastructure often seen at larger litigation firms. You can expect professionalism, courtesy, and respect in every interaction, along with consistent updates so you always understand where your case stands.

To discuss your potential case with a bus accident attorney in Austin, reach out now.