San Antonio Bus Accident Lawyers

Sustained Injuries in a Bus Accident in San Antonio?

Buses are the heart and soul of public transportation in San Antonio. The government-run VIA Metropolitan Transit bus system helps people get to and from work, while school buses keep children safe as they traverse through the city’s roads. But sometimes, buses become involved in unexpected road crashes, which can lead to devastating injuries and even tragic fatalities.

If you find yourself in a bus accident in San Antonio, always remember that you have legal options. You can sue whoever is responsible for a road crash that hurt you or led to the wrongful death of a loved one. And when they’re found liable for damages you’ve had to cover, you can be awarded compensation for all your troubles and gut-wrenching experience.

Woman in a bus - San Antonio Bus Accident Lawyers

The first step to seeking that justice is contacting an experienced attorney. At Thompson Law, we have a dedicated team of San Antonio bus accident lawyers who are ready to fight for your rights and help you recover financially. We’ll help you build a strong case so you can get the maximum payout after being injured in an accident. If you want to know what exactly we can do to help with your case, book a FREE CONSULTATION with us today.

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Types of Cases Our Bus Accident Lawyers in San Antonio Can Take On

Buses come in many shapes and forms, from public school buses to private tour buses owned by big corporations. But they have one thing in common: all of them can be involved in a road crash. Our bus accident lawyers are experienced in handling accidents involving many types of buses, including but not limited to:

  • Public transit bus accidents:  Collisions involving VIA Metropolitan Transit buses, which often calls for claims against government agencies, making cases more complicated.
  • School bus accidents:  Crashes that involve innocent children going to and from school.
  • Private charter bus accidents:  Accidents including tour buses and other buses owned by private companies.
  • Shuttle bus accidents:  Buses used for hotel and airport transfers or office shuttles can also find themselves in accidents, even if they’re not as big as other buses.

No matter what kind of bus brings you or your loved one harm, our San Antonio bus accident lawyers are ready to help. If you get into a crash with any of these buses, whether you’re a passenger or another motorist on the road, give us a call so we can help you pursue legal action.

Common Risk Factors for Major Bus Accidents

There are plenty of risk factors involved in whether a bus accident will occur. Most of the time, it’s because of the negligence of bus companies and drivers, but it can also be circumstantial. Here are just some of the common causes of bus accidents that happen on San Antonio’s roads.

  • Reckless drivers who go above the speeding limit or blatantly ignore the rules of the road, such as running red lights and failing to yield
  • Distractions like talking on the phone or looking anywhere other than the road
  • Blind spots and obstructions on the road, which make accidents more likely to occur
  • Driver’s fatigue, especially when bus drivers are obligated to work long hours for their job
  • Inexperienced drivers who aren’t properly trained or might not even have a valid license
  • Maintenance issues with the bus, from faulty brakes to worn-out tires and engines to defective bus parts
  • Poor weather conditions due to low maintenance by the City of San Antonio or bad weather
  • Traffic congestion during peak hours, which can make rear-end collisions more likely

These are just some of the risk factors and causes of bus accidents in San Antonio. The list goes on and on. But you can rest assured that whatever may have caused the bus crash you were involved in, our team is ready to step in and take the reins. Allow us to assess your bus accident case and recommend the best next steps when you book a FREE CASE REVIEW.

Tragic Bus Accidents in San Antonio and What Caused Them

San Antonio has had its fair share of bus accidents in recent years, all caused by different reasons and with various negligent parties responsible for the collisions. Here are some notable ones covered by the local news that today serve as reminders of driving with the utmost care, especially when buses are involved.

Car Rear-Ends School Bus

In March 2025, a 54-year-old man died after driving his small sedan straight into the back of a school bus. The bus was coming to a halt, but the driver didn’t seem to notice, so they ended up rear-ending it. The impact was so strong that the entire windshield of the sedan was shoved underneath the bus, resulting in an underride accident. Luckily, no children were aboard when the accident occurred. And because the man was pronounced dead at the scene, no criminal charges were filed against him.

Charter Bus Hits Pedestrian

A female pedestrian in her early thirties was struck by a tour bus in downtown San Antonio one afternoon in March 2019. She had been walking on a crosswalk by the West Market Street intersection and was hit by a Regent Coach Line bus. Unfortunately, the strike was fatal, and the woman died at the scene.

Road Rage Leads to Multi-Vehicle Accident

One person was killed in April 2024 when an SUV driver, which witnesses claim looked like they were having a bout of road rage, crashed into a Pre-K 4 SA school bus. This caused a domino effect that involved eight vehicles on Highway 90 at Interstate 35, creating a lot of congestion on the road. Fortunately, no children were on the bus when the crash occurred.

Why You Want a San Antonio Bus Accident Attorney in Your Corner

Bus accident claims can get really complicated, especially when government entities and private companies are involved. Because the legalities are so complex, one wrong move is all it takes to weaken your case.

That’s why you need to be represented only by skilled San Antonio bus accident lawyers with years of experience dealing with personal injury and wrongful death cases. With a solid team that has your back, navigating local traffic laws and building a case becomes much easier. Here are just some of the things we can do for you if you get us as your legal counsel:

  • Gather evidence and study all available information about the accident to determine fault
  • File all paperwork to kick off the legal process of filing a claim
  • Liaising with insurance companies on your behalf to make sure they don’t lowball you
  • Proving liability on the part of the negligent party and holding them accountable when we represent you in the court of law
  • Negotiate with the negligent parties to ensure you get the maximum compensation possible

Essentially, our team can help reduce the stress of getting into a legal battle. This is extremely important when you’re healing from serious injuries. Instead of focusing on the legal processes, hand over the reins to us so you can concentrate on your recovery. Discover more about how we ensure a smooth legal process when you book a FREE CONSULTATION.

Damages Our Bus Accident Attorneys in San Antonio Can Obtain for You

When you file a lawsuit against the negligent parties that caused the bus accident that harmed you, you can be entitled to receiving compensatory damages. This is a payment that the defendant must pay you to cover for expenses you’ve shouldered, as well as non-economic damages caused by distress. Here are some of those damages you may be owed:

  • Medical expenses from surgeries, emergency care, rehabilitation, medicines, and other treatments after the accident
  • Lost wages if your injuries forced you to miss workdays
  • Reduced earning capacity for severe injuries with permanent disabilities
  • Pain and suffering from the mental anguish, anxiety, and depression of being involved in an accident
  • Property damage if your vehicle was damaged in the accident
  • Loss of consortium when your injuries impact your relationship with your spouse or relatives
  • Wrongful death damages if you lost a loved one after a bus accident

At Thompson Law

We believe buses are meant to make roads safer and more convenient, not dangerous. So, when someone gets hurt because of negligence involving a bus, we commit to holding them accountable for their actions. We’re ready to be in your corner, advocating for your rights until you get the justice you deserve after a bus accident.

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San Antonio Traffic Laws Specific to Buses

In order to keep bus drivers and passengers safe, as well as everyone who shares the road with buses, San Antonio has some local traffic laws specific to buses. Here are two of these crucial laws and ordinances.

Restricted Use of Bus Stops

The San Antonio Code of Ordinances Sec. 19-165 mandates that only buses are allowed to stop at the city’s designated bus stops. This prevents sudden stops from unauthorized vehicles, which can lead to accidents like rear-end collisions and make traffic congestion in the city worse. It also ensures that passengers waiting for their bus always have a safe way to board a bus when no other vehicles are in the way.

Exclusive Bus Lanes on Designated Roads

Sec. 19-461 of the Code of Ordinances lists the exclusive bus lanes in the city, which are the only areas these buses are allowed to drive on those roads. These roads include Navarro Street, from Main Avenue to St. Mary’s Street, as well as Alamo Plaza, from Houston Street to Commerce Street.

Who Can Be Found Liable for a Bus Accident?

People might assume that only bus drivers can be found liable for a bus accident, but that’s not the case at all. Liability can also be found in a myriad of other parties involved in the collision, including the following:

  • Bus companies that hire untrained drivers and encourage long work schedules that lead to fatigue and exhaustion
  • Reckless third-party drivers that crash into buses
  • Government entities, such as the City of San Antonio or the public transit bus system
  • Bus manufacturers, if parts of the vehicle are found to be defective and unsafe
  • Private companies that own the bus, such as hotels, private schools, airport shuttle services, tour companies, and more

Local Hospitals to Seek Medical Attention After a Bus Accident

When you’re involved in a bus accident, the very first thing you should do is drop everything and seek medical attention. Check for bodily injuries and seek urgent care immediately, even if you don’t feel like anything is wrong.

First responders can do a quick check to make sure you’re okay, but if you have blatant injuries that need extra care, it’s best to be transported to a hospital. Luckily, there are 27 major acute care hospitals in the city of San Antonio. Here are the best of them that you could get immediate medical attention from following a bus accident.

  • Methodist Hospital:  One of the top hospitals in the city. It provides emergency care, surgical treatments, and more.
  • University Hospital:  This teaching hospital has comprehensive medical services and is a Level I trauma center.
  • Baptist Medical Center:  A hospital downtown with plenty of technologically advanced treatments and award-winning care for diabetes, nephrology, endocrinology, and pulmonology.
  • North Central Baptist Hospital:  Has its own emergency services unit specifically for children.
  • St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital:  Offers extensive care services, from comprehensive stroke treatments to joint care to women’s health and delivery services.

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When Is the Deadline for Filing a Bus Accident Lawsuit in San Antonio?

As with most personal injury cases in Texas, the statute of limitations for filing a claim after a bus accident is two years after the date of the crash. But if you’re suing a government entity, like, say, VIA Metropolitan Transit or the City of San Antonio, the deadline is much sooner. Following the mandates of the Texas Tort Claims Act, you must file your case against a government entity within six months of the bus crash.

Our San Antonio Bus Accident Lawyers Will Fight for Your Rights

Buses exist in the San Antonio transportation system to make lives easier for the city’s residents, not make it more hazardous. No one expects to get hurt because of a crash involving a bus, but it still happens to some people because of the negligence of others.

If you’ve been involved in a bus accident and want to hold the driver or another negligent party accountable, reach out to our team of San Antonio bus accident lawyers. We can help you understand your rights and legal options, so you know what you can do to pursue justice and just compensation. We’ll be right here, ready to fight with you and secure the payout you deserve. Learn how we can help maximize your claim when you book a FREE CONSULTATION with us.

FAQs About Bus Accidents in San Antonio

Who can file a claim after a bus accident in San Antonio?

If you were injured after being involved in a bus accident, you have the right to file a claim, whether you were a passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, or driver of another vehicle. In the case of a wrongful death, the victim’s surviving family members can file a claim as well.

Can I sue the city if I was injured on a VIA Metropolitan Transit bus?

Yes, you can. However, note that VIA Metropolitan Transit is considered a government entity. According to the Texas Tort Claims Act, that means you can file your claim up to six months after the accident only, not the usual two years for other personal injury cases.

How much compensation can you get from a bus accident in San Antonio?

The amount awarded to victims depends heavily on the damages caused by the accident. This includes medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. That means the more severe your injuries and the bigger the impact on your life, the higher the amount of compensation you are likely to receive. When suing a government entity, though, the maximum amount of compensation you can get is $250,000 per person and $500,000 for a single injury or death.

How much do bus accident attorneys charge in San Antonio?

Most bus accident lawyers charge their clients a contingency fee, which means they get a cut of the final settlement or damages awarded. This cut typically ranges from 25% to 35% of the amount you receive.

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State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.