Bus accidents in Houston happen every day on roads like I-10, the Gulf Freeway, and Loop 610. Whether it’s a METRO transit bus near the Galleria, a charter coach on the way to NRG Stadium, or a private shuttle cutting through Midtown, these crashes can leave victims with serious injuries and no clear path forward. If you or someone you love was hurt in a bus accident in Houston, you have legal rights, and Gustin Law Firm is here to help you pursue them. Our principal office is in Houston, Texas, and attorney Jonathan Gustin is responsible for the content on this page.

Table of Contents

• Why Bus Accident Cases Are Different From Car Accident Claims
• Texas Laws That Govern Bus Safety and Driver Conduct
• Who Can Be Held Liable After a Houston Bus Accident
• Deadlines You Cannot Afford to Miss
• What Compensation Can You Recover After a Houston Bus Accident
• FAQs About Houston Bus Accident Lawyer

Why Bus Accident Cases Are Different From Car Accident Claims

A bus accident is not just a bigger version of a car crash. The legal rules are different, the parties involved are different, and the stakes are almost always higher. When you board a city bus, a charter coach, or a private shuttle, the company operating that vehicle takes on a legal responsibility that goes well beyond what an ordinary driver owes you.

Under Texas common law, bus operators are classified as “common carriers,” meaning they transport passengers for hire and hold themselves out to the general public. As confirmed by the Texas Supreme Court in VIA Metropolitan Transit v. Curtis Meck (2020), the common law has long required common carriers to exercise a “high degree of care” for their passengers, imposing on common carriers the duty to act as a very cautious, competent, and prudent person would act under the same or similar circumstances. That is a tougher standard than what applies to ordinary drivers.

What does that mean for you? For common carriers, the margin for error is far narrower. In the event of an accident or injury, evaluating a common carrier’s conduct will scrutinize whether they met the loftier requirements of their professional role. A simple lapse deemed acceptable in a private individual could be grounds for negligence if it involves a common carrier. So if a bus driver made a mistake that any reasonable person might make, that same mistake could still be enough to hold the bus company liable.

Beyond the driver, multiple parties may share responsibility. The bus company, the vehicle manufacturer, a maintenance contractor, or even a third-party driver who caused the collision can all be brought into a claim. As a personal injury lawyer serving Houston, Gustin Law Firm investigates every angle to identify all responsible parties and build the strongest possible case for you.

Bus accidents also tend to produce more severe injuries. Buses are of particular concern because they carry more passengers, putting more lives at stake. They are also more difficult to maneuver, have more blind spots, and take longer to stop in the event of an emergency. The sheer mass of these large vehicles also tends to lead to much more severe collisions compared to crashes between ordinary vehicles under similar circumstances.

Texas Laws That Govern Bus Safety and Driver Conduct

Texas has specific laws that bus operators must follow. When a driver or company breaks these rules and someone gets hurt, that violation can be used to support a negligence claim.

Under Texas Transportation Code Section 545.253, a motor bus carrying passengers for hire must stop at all railroad grade crossings. The driver must stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail, listen and look in both directions for approaching trains, and may not proceed until it is safe to do so. Skipping this step is a violation of state law and can be powerful evidence in a personal injury case.

Texas Transportation Code Section 547.7011 requires public transit buses acquired on or after September 1, 1997, to be equipped with amber hazard lamps mounted at the rear, visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight. The driver must activate those lamps when the bus stops to load or unload anyone under 18. The bus must also display a sign on the rear reading “Caution, children may be exiting.” Failure to meet these equipment standards puts passengers and pedestrians at risk.

Texas Transportation Code Section 545.426 prohibits operating a school bus with the door open or with more passengers than the manufacturer’s design capacity. The driver must also prohibit passengers from standing or sitting on the floor. These rules exist to protect the people on board, and violating them creates legal liability when someone gets hurt.

For school buses specifically, Texas Transportation Code Section 547.7015 requires the Texas Department of Transportation to adopt and enforce rules governing the design, color, lighting, equipment, construction, and operation of school buses. These rules apply to both district-owned buses and privately operated buses under contract with a school district. Violations of these rules can form the basis of a negligence claim.

Additionally, under Texas Transportation Code Section 545.066, drivers approaching a stopped school bus from either direction must stop and may not proceed until the bus resumes motion, the driver signals them to proceed, or the visual signal is no longer active. Failing to stop carries a fine of $500 to $1,250 for a first offense, and can rise to a Class A misdemeanor or state jail felony if someone is seriously hurt.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Houston Bus Accident

One of the most important questions after any bus accident is: who is responsible? The answer depends on the type of bus involved and what caused the crash. In Houston, you may be dealing with a METRO bus operated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, a private charter company, a school district vehicle, or a commercial carrier like Greyhound passing through downtown on I-45.

Each type of operator comes with different legal rules. Bus accident liability can vary depending on the type of bus involved. The three main categories are school buses, city transit buses, and charter or tour buses. Each has different ownership structures, safety regulations, and legal obligations.

When the bus is operated by a government entity, like METRO or a Houston ISD vehicle, the Texas Tort Claims Act applies. If your injury was caused by a government entity, such as a city, county, or state agency, the deadlines for filing a claim are much shorter and stricter. Under the Texas Tort Claims Act, you often have just 180 days from the accident date to provide a written notice of your claim. Missing this brief window can bar your case from moving forward, even if you are within the two-year personal injury statute of limitations. The City of Houston and Harris County may have their own local notice requirements that are even shorter, so acting fast is critical.

Private bus companies face a different set of rules. Private bus lines are generally subject to full liability under state law. Because they operate across state lines, they are also regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which mandates high minimum insurance limits, typically $5 million or more, to cover potential injuries. That higher insurance coverage means more resources available to compensate injured victims, but it also means these companies have well-funded legal teams ready to fight your claim.

Liability can also extend to the bus company’s employer if the driver was acting within the scope of employment. Under Texas law, employers can be held responsible for the negligent acts of their employees. If the company failed to properly screen, train, or supervise the driver, that failure can be an independent basis for liability. A bus accident lawyer at Gustin Law Firm will dig into the company’s hiring records, training logs, and maintenance history to build your case.

Deadlines You Cannot Afford to Miss

Time is your most important asset after a bus accident in Houston. Texas law sets strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims, and missing them can permanently end your right to recover compensation.

For most bus accident cases involving private companies, under Section 16.003 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, plaintiffs have two years from the date of the incident that caused their injury or property damage to file a lawsuit. That sounds like a long time, but evidence disappears fast. Surveillance footage from METRO buses, dashcam recordings, and witness memories all fade quickly. Waiting too long can cost you the strongest pieces of your case.

When a government-operated bus is involved, the clock moves much faster. According to Section 101.101 of the Texas Tort Claims Act, a notice of this type of claim must be brought no later than six months from the date of the accident. If you are injured in an accident with a city bus, you will only have six months to file your initial paperwork against the city government. Some Houston-area municipalities impose even shorter notice periods. For example, if a city adopts a local ordinance requiring a notice of claim within 90 days, then the claimant must comply with that timeline, even though the general Texas Tort Claims Act allows for six months. Failure to adhere to the shorter notice period could result in the claim being barred, even if the plaintiff eventually files the lawsuit within the two-year statute of limitations.

If a bus accident results in a death, the wrongful death statute under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 71 allows surviving family members to bring a claim for damages caused by a wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, or default. The two-year deadline for wrongful death claims begins on the date of death, not the date of the initial accident. If your family lost someone in a Houston bus crash, contact Gustin Law Firm right away to protect your right to file.

Do not wait. Call Gustin Law Firm at (713) 491-4792 today to get a free case review and make sure your deadlines are protected.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Houston Bus Accident

Bus accidents cause serious injuries. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and severe burns are all common outcomes when a large vehicle is involved. The financial impact can be devastating, especially when you are out of work and facing mounting medical bills. Texas law allows injured victims to pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic losses.

Economic damages cover the financial costs you can document. These include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and the cost of ongoing rehabilitation or in-home care. If you suffered a spinal cord injury on a Houston city bus near the Texas Medical Center, for example, your future medical costs alone could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. A thorough damages analysis is essential to making sure your claim covers everything you are owed.

Non-economic damages cover losses that do not come with a receipt. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship in wrongful death cases are all recoverable under Texas law. These damages are real, and they matter. An experienced attorney knows how to present them to a jury or insurance adjuster in a way that reflects the full impact of your injuries.

Keep in mind that Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001, you can still recover damages even if you were partly at fault, as long as your percentage of fault does not exceed 50%. Your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Bus companies and their insurers often try to shift blame onto the victim. Having a lawyer in your corner helps push back against those tactics.

Gustin Law Firm has recovered more than $50 Million for injured clients across Texas. We handle bus accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover for you. Court costs and litigation expenses are also handled on a contingency basis, subject to the terms of your fee agreement. You focus on healing. We handle the legal fight.

If you or a child was hurt in a school bus crash, our team also handles those claims. Whether the accident happened near Cypress-Fairbanks ISD or along Westheimer Road, a school bus accident attorney at Gustin Law Firm understands the unique rules that apply when a school district or its contractor is involved.

FAQs About Houston Bus Accident Lawyer

What should I do immediately after a bus accident in Houston?

Call 911 and get medical attention right away, even if your injuries seem minor. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, do not show symptoms immediately. Get the bus number, the driver’s name, the bus company’s name, and contact information from any witnesses. Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and any property damage. Report the accident to the bus operator or transit authority, and call Gustin Law Firm at (713) 491-4792 as soon as possible to protect your legal rights before evidence disappears.

Can I sue METRO or a Houston ISD bus if a government vehicle caused my injuries?

Yes, but the rules are stricter. The Texas Tort Claims Act allows injury claims against government entities, but you must file a formal notice of claim within 180 days of the accident under Section 101.101. Some local agencies in the Houston area require notice within 90 days or less. Missing that notice deadline can bar your entire claim. Contact Gustin Law Firm right away if a government-operated bus was involved in your accident.

How long do I have to file a bus accident lawsuit in Texas?

For most bus accident claims against private companies, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003 gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If a government entity is involved, you may have as little as 90 days to file a notice of claim. Do not wait. Evidence fades, witnesses move on, and deadlines are strictly enforced. Call Gustin Law Firm at (713) 491-4792 for a free case review as soon as possible after your accident.

Who pays for my medical bills after a Houston bus accident?

The at-fault party’s insurance is generally responsible for your medical expenses. Private bus companies regulated by the FMCSA are required to carry significant liability insurance coverage. If a government entity is at fault, the Texas Tort Claims Act caps certain damages under Section 101.023 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. While your case is being resolved, you may need to use your own health insurance or personal injury protection coverage to cover immediate medical costs. Gustin Law Firm will work to recover all compensable medical expenses as part of your claim.

Does it cost anything to hire Gustin Law Firm for a bus accident case?

No upfront cost. Gustin Law Firm handles bus accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. Court costs and litigation expenses are also handled on a contingency basis, subject to the terms of your individual fee agreement. There is no financial risk in calling us. Contact Gustin Law Firm today at (713) 491-4792 to schedule your free consultation and let us review your case.

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