Bus Accident Attorneys in Houston

About Bus Accidents in Houston, TX

If you have questions about bus accidents and want to learn more about their causes, what to do if you've been in an accident, who is responsible, and more, you're in the right place. In addition to calling our Texas bus accident firm at any time for a free, confidential review, you can learn more by reviewing the information on this page.

The Dangers of Public Transportation & Bus Accidents in Houston

No vehicle accident is free of consequences, whether only a few scratches or catastrophic injuries result. This risk increases with bus accidents. Because of the large size of these vehicles and the fact that they may carry dozens of passengers, bus accidents often result in injuries—sometimes to many people.

A key challenge with public transportation systems like buses is maintaining consistent safety. Outdated infrastructure, insufficient funding for maintenance, and lack of adequate safety measures all contribute to the frequency and severity of bus accidents. Additionally, the busy routes and tight schedules that buses follow can increase the risk of driver fatigue and errors. Transport authorities must review and update safety regulations regularly to address these issues.

In Houston, the city’s rapid growth means more buses are on the roads each year to meet increased demand for public transport. As the number of buses rises, so does the potential for accidents involving different types of vehicles, from local METRO buses running on city thoroughfares to school and charter buses moving between neighborhoods and events. Routes like Westheimer Road and the Gulf Freeway often see high volumes of bus traffic, which can elevate collision rates during peak hours or heavy weather.

Bus passengers, motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists may be injured because of:

Bus mechanics can also contribute to accidents. These large vehicles have brakes under tremendous pressure, requiring frequent inspections and thorough maintenance. Unfortunately, some maintenance problems go unaddressed by bus operators so that vehicles can stay in service and not affect company profits. 

When proper maintenance is neglected, circumstances such as overloaded or crowded buses can cause or contribute to bus accidents.

Recent Bus Accident Statistics in Houston

Houston, as a major metropolitan area, reports a high number of bus-related incidents each year. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2021, there were 2,550 bus crashes statewide, including 1,187 involving school buses. These accidents caused 16 fatalities and 698 injuries, ranging from possible to serious. The Houston Independent School District (HISD) reported over 500 school bus accidents over five years, resulting in 225 injuries and 4 fatalities. 

Bus crashes in the Houston area affect not only passengers but also other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Accidents involving school buses are especially concerning—many involve children who are boarding, exiting, or walking near the vehicle. In some cases, the bus itself hits a student. In other cases, a careless motorist who ignores traffic laws causes injuries in school zones. Regardless of the cause, these incidents show the need for greater accountability, better enforcement, and stronger safety standards.

Compared to many other parts of Texas, Houston experiences unique challenges due to its sprawling city layout and heavy traffic areas. The city’s large school districts, frequent special events, and major interstates running through urban areas increase the likelihood of multi-vehicle accidents. Buses serving popular routes like Bellaire Boulevard, Main Street, and Loop 610 intersect with busy roads, which can lead to complex accident scenes when multiple vehicles or pedestrians are involved. 

Types of Buses Commonly Found in Houston

In Houston, a wide range of buses keep the city moving. From daily commuters to schoolchildren, travelers, and tourists, numerous fleets operate in the area; each with its own safety standards, routes, and risks. 

• Public Transit Buses: Operated by METRO, these buses provide extensive coverage across the city.
• School Buses: Used by school districts to transport students, these buses are subject to specific safety standards.
• Charter and Tour Buses: Privately operated buses that transport groups for events, tours, or long-distance travel.
• Shuttle Buses: Commonly used by hotels, airports, and event venues.
• Intercity Buses: Services like Greyhound and Megabus connect Houston to other cities and states.

Charter buses frequently transport fans to venues like NRG Stadium and the Toyota Center, while hotel and airport shuttles move thousands of passengers to and from IAH and Hobby each day. Intercity buses travel long distances on major highways, sharing crowded routes with commercial trucks and local motorists. 

The type of bus (and who owns or operates it) will directly impact any resulting claim. 

Why Injuries from Texas Bus Accidents Are Far Too Common

According to FMCSA data, bus accidents caused an average of 25,000 injuries and 300 deaths every year between 2001 and 2021 in the United States. Buses transport both adult commuters and students. Nearly 25 million American children ride a school bus, and there are about 100 deaths per year caused by school bus accidents.

Factors in Serious Bus Accident Injuries

Despite the high number of accidents, buses are not required to make changes to their equipment to create a safer environment. It is not uncommon to travel on a bus without seat belts. While "click it or ticket" laws exist for most vehicles, passengers on buses sometimes lack the option to buckle up.

Bus safety advocates raise another serious concern: most buses still don't offer seat belts, and many tour buses have roofs and windows that can't withstand a rollover. Because buses are top-heavy, they can flip during a crash. When the roof structure is weak or the windows lack proper glazing, the risk of roof crush and severe injuries increases dramatically.

Recent incidents involving “party buses” show how dangerous these design flaws can be. In one tragic case, an 11-year-old girl died after leaning against an emergency exit window that opened unexpectedly. That window should have had a safety lock to prevent accidental openings—a simple precaution that could have saved her life.

Because many buses lack adequate safety equipment, thousands of people are injured and millions of children and adults remain at risk each year in the United States.

Crashes Involving School Buses in Houston, Texas

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), school buses are the safest vehicles on the road and are one of the safest forms of transportation. The NHTSA explains that school bus drivers are highly screened and well-trained. Their driving records are regularly checked, they face random alcohol and drug testing, and they receive training in emergency medical procedures. 

As schools in the Houston Independent School District (HISD) continue to grow, however, more children depend on public transportation to and from class, increasing risk during the school year.

School Bus Accident Statistics

When we send children to school, we trust that they will arrive and return safely. Sadly, this is not always the case. According to NHTSA statistics, 1,079 people were killed in school bus accidents from 2014 to 2023. The majority were occupants of other vehicles that collided with the bus. 

Below is a breakdown that accounts for the total number of fatalities in school bus accidents:

• Occupants of the other vehicle: 71%
• Non-occupants (such as pedestrians and bicyclists): 21%
• Occupants of the school bus: 8%

Children & School Bus Accidents

The same DOT statistics reveal that 209 school-age children died in school bus accidents from 2014 to 2023. Few of these fatalities occurred on the bus. Most deaths occurred to children who were in another vehicle or who were pedestrians. Only 38 deaths involved children riding on the bus at the time of the accident. Children in other passenger cars accounted for 83 deaths, while 85 were pedestrians or bicyclists struck by a school bus or another car while boarding or exiting a bus.

Traffic laws in Texas and nationwide require motorists to stop behind a bus while it loads or unloads students. Unfortunately, rushed or distracted drivers may ignore these laws, putting children in serious danger.

Houston’s diverse neighborhoods and wide school zoning can mean long bus routes that cross major intersections, including Westheimer, Bellaire, and Shepherd Drive. Some of the city’s most traffic-heavy areas have a higher concentration of schools and daycare centers, requiring extra vigilance from both drivers and school bus operators. During the school year, the city coordinates with local law enforcement to monitor and manage traffic patterns near school zones. Extra patrols at critical loading and unloading times can help reduce the risk of child injury at bus stops.

Bus Driver Training & Licensing in Texas

When a bus is involved in a crash, one of the first questions is whether the driver was properly trained and qualified. In Texas, operating a bus requires strict compliance with federal safety laws and state licensing rules designed to protect every passenger on board. Under the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986, anyone driving a vehicle built to carry 16 or more passengers must hold a Commercial Driver License (CDL) with a Passenger (P) Endorsement, and school bus drivers must also earn a School Bus (S) Endorsement and pass additional background screenings.

To receive a CDL in Texas, drivers must:

• Pass written knowledge exams and a road skills test in a representative vehicle
• Meet federal medical qualifications under 49 CFR §391.41
• Demonstrate 20/40 vision in each eye (with or without corrective lenses)
• Meet federal hearing requirements, including the ability to perceive a forced whisper at 5 feet
• Maintain a valid U.S. DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate

These standards exist to keep passengers and the public safe. Yet every year, we see catastrophic injuries caused by companies that cut corners and put poorly trained drivers behind the wheel of heavy, high-occupancy vehicles.

In Houston, some of the largest transit providers go beyond the minimum requirements. They may incorporate defensive driving courses, route-specific safety training, emergency simulations, and annual performance evaluations. These programs help drivers prepare for real-world challenges like Houston’s extreme weather, flooding, high-speed interchanges, and chronic congestion on I-10, I-45, and the 610 Loop.

But even these extra steps only work when bus companies take them seriously. Our firm has seen situations where companies skipped essential training, ignored red flags in a driver’s record, or pressured employees to rush through routes without adequate preparation. In each of these cases, passengers paid the price.

When a bus accident happens, the driver’s licensing history, training records, and safety file become critical evidence. Our Houston bus accident lawyers dig into every detail to expose misconduct, hold negligent companies accountable, and fight for the justice our clients deserve.

For more information on the qualifications and standards for commercial drivers, click here.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Houston Bus Crash?

Figuring out who is responsible for a bus accident in Houston is rarely simple. A single crash might involve a driver, a private bus company, a contractor, a maintenance provider, a manufacturer, and—if the bus is public—a governmental entity like METRO or a school district. Each has its own insurance, lawyers, and incentives to shift blame.

That’s why liability shouldn’t be left in the hands of the bus company or its insurer. Their investigators are paid to protect the company, not you.

Privately Owned Bus Accidents

When a crash involves a private bus or motor coach, such as a charter bus, tour bus, church bus, corporate shuttle, or out-of-state line, the claim often looks very different from a typical traffic accident case.

Private bus cases in Houston are complicated because:

• Multiple companies may share responsibility. One company might own the bus, another may employ the driver, and another may provide maintenance or staffing. Sorting out contracts, safety policies, and insurance coverage is key.
• Corporate policies matter. Many bus crashes trace back to decisions made in an office: hiring unqualified drivers, skipping maintenance, overscheduling routes, or ignoring hours-of-service rules.
• Insurers move fast to control the story. After a serious crash on I-10, US-59, or the Gulf Freeway, private bus companies often deploy adjusters and lawyers immediately. They may offer low settlements, ask for recorded statements, or imply your injuries “aren’t that serious.”

Our Houston bus accident lawyers counter this by launching our own investigation. We gather black-box data, driver logs, maintenance records, video evidence, and witness statements. We identify every company that contributed to the crash and pursue each of them for the full value of your case.

Government-Owned Bus Accidents (METRO, School Buses & More)

Claims involving government-operated buses, like METRO buses, METROLift vehicles, and Houston-area school buses, are subject to special rules under the Texas Tort Claims Act (TTCA). This law provides a limited waiver of governmental immunity when injuries are caused by the operation or use of a motor-driven vehicle by a government employee acting within the scope of their job.

But the TTCA comes with strict conditions:

• Short notice deadlines. Under state law, you generally must give written notice of your claim to the governmental unit within 6 months of the accident, describing the time, place, and circumstances of the incident. Local rules can be even stricter. Houston’s charter, for example, requires written notice within 90 days for many claims.
• Damage caps. Even when immunity is waived, your recovery against a governmental unit is capped by the TTCA (often $250,000 per person or $500,000 per occurrence), regardless of how severe the injuries are.
• Different procedures. Claims involving METRO or a school district require following agency-specific procedures on top of state law. That often means formal notice letters, supporting documentation, and strict compliance with internal claim processes before or while filing suit.

Texas also follows a modified comparative fault system with a 51% bar rule. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages. Government lawyers and insurance carriers ,may lean hard on this rule to argue that passengers, other drivers, or even pedestrians bear most of the blame.

Because of these traps, waiting or trying to “handle it yourself” can be costly. Our Houston bus accident attorneys step in quickly to:

• Preserve bus camera footage, dispatch logs, and vehicle data before it disappears.
• Make sure legally required notices go to the right governmental unit on time.
• Identify whether both a governmental entity and private companies share responsibility.
• Build a case that fully captures the medical, financial, and human cost of the crash.

If you were hurt in a crash involving a METRO bus, school bus, or any public transit vehicle in Houston, talking to a lawyer early can be the difference between a denied claim and a recovery that actually helps you rebuild your life.

Common Defenses Bus Companies Use in Houston Claims

Bus companies routinely rely on predictable defense strategies aimed at reducing what they owe. One of the most common is to blame the injured person. They may argue that a passenger wasn’t holding a handrail, was standing when advised to sit, or didn’t follow an operator’s instructions. These arguments often ignore the reality of how Houston buses operate: crowded vehicles, sudden stops in traffic, and conditions the passenger cannot control.

Companies also attempt to shift responsibility to outside forces, claiming another driver caused a crash, that road debris made the collision unavoidable, or that a sudden emergency left the driver with no time to react. Commercial carriers often claim that their drivers were properly trained or that maintenance was up to date, even when documents show otherwise. Many also rely on rapid-response teams who interview witnesses early, manage the bus, and try to shape the narrative before the injured person ever talks to an attorney.

At Arnold & Itkin, we counter these tactics by securing the evidence that matters: onboard video, METRO surveillance feeds, driver qualification files, maintenance logs, dispatch records, cell-phone data, and eyewitness testimony. These cases are won by uncovering what really happened, not what the company wishes to portray. Our team knows how Houston’s transit systems operate and how to dismantle the defenses bus companies use again and again.

Steps to Take After a Bus Accident in Houston

1. Seek medical attention. 

Even if your injuries seem minor, get checked by a medical professional right away. Some trauma—especially concussions, internal injuries, or soft-tissue damage—is not immediately obvious. Houston is home to some of the nation’s top trauma facilities, including Memorial Hermann–Texas Medical Center and Ben Taub Hospital, both Level I trauma centers equipped to evaluate collision-related injuries. Early treatment protects your health and creates the medical documentation needed to support any future claim.

2. Report the incident.  

Make sure the accident is reported to the appropriate authority.

• For METRO bus accidents → METRO Police Department (MPD)
• For crashes within Houston city limits → Houston Police Department (HPD)
• For incidents in unincorporated Harris County → Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO)

Request a copy of the police or incident report, as this document often becomes critical evidence.

3. Document the scene. 

If it is safe, take photos or video of the crash site, vehicle positions, damage, your injuries, traffic signals, road conditions, and weather. Note the bus number or route, the operator’s name (if displayed), and the exact location. Houston’s heavy construction zones, frontage roads, and complex intersections often play a role in determining fault later.

4. Gather witness information. 

Get names and contact information from witnesses whenever possible—other passengers, drivers, or pedestrians. In dense areas like downtown, the Galleria, or Midtown, surrounding businesses or traffic cameras may have footage your attorney can request. Witness statements often help clarify how the impact occurred and whether the bus operator or another driver was at fault.

5. Avoid making statements.  

Do not discuss fault or provide recorded statements to insurance companies, METRO officials, or bus company representatives. Insurers frequently reach out quickly after a crash and may try to get you to say something that limits your compensation. Politely decline and state that you will speak with them after consulting your attorney.

6. Consult an attorney.  

Bus accidents, especially those involving METRO or school districts, have unique legal rules and strict notice deadlines under the Texas Tort Claims Act. Contact a Houston bus accident lawyer who knows how to handle public-transit claims, preserve critical evidence before it disappears, and identify all liable parties. Experienced counsel can coordinate medical documentation, manage insurance communications, and help ensure your rights are protected from the start.

Call a Houston Bus Crash Lawyer Today: (888) 493-1629

Recovering damages after a bus accident can be complex. Many buses are owned or managed by government agencies, which makes questions of liability more challenging. Even injuries from privately owned bus accidents do not follow the procedures of a regular car accident claim. Deadlines to file required notices pass quickly, sometimes within days of the event. Arnold & Itkin stands ready to help.

We have recovered billions in verdicts and settlements, and we know what it takes to help you pursue the most successful outcome. Bus accident victims should not endure more suffering, and we are here to make sure that everything possible is done to help ease pain and suffering.

Immediate action must be taken to preserve a claim against the responsible party. Call Arnold & Itkin at (888) 493-1629 today.

About Houston, TX

Houston ranks among the largest and most populous cities in the U.S. As of July 2021, the city had an estimated population of nearly 2.89 million and covered approximately 640 square miles. Houston relies heavily on automobiles; in 2016, about 77.2% of commuters drove to work alone. For those without cars or who want alternatives, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) runs public bus service across more than 1,300 square miles. This includes Houston and many nearby unincorporated communities. Houston's local bus fleet includes over 1,200 vehicles and serves about 275,000 people daily.

For students in the Houston Independent School District (ISD), the Transportation Department provides rides to and from school, athletic events, field trips, and more. About 36,000 students ride Houston ISD buses each day, and the district operates a fleet of roughly 1,000 vehicles.

The city is a major hub for national and regional transportation, with access to multiple interstate highways, freight train lines, and the Houston Ship Channel. Residents benefit from extensive public infrastructure, but this heavy use also contributes to accident risk—whether on the city’s busy Loop 610, along I-45 toward The Woodlands, or in traffic surrounding Downtown and the Texas Medical Center. For Houston’s growing population and diverse economy, safe and reliable bus transit remains essential, so ongoing improvements in safety and accountability continue to be a priority.

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