Bus accidents in Houston implicate a distinct body of law that does not apply to ordinary car crashes. Common carriers — including Houston METRO, school districts, charter bus companies, Megabus and Greyhound lines serving the Harris County hubs, and private shuttle operators — owe passengers a heightened duty of care under Texas common law. Violation of that duty combined with the severity of injuries in a multi-passenger incident frequently produces settlements and verdicts substantially larger than comparable car-on-car cases. A Houston bus accident lawyer at McFarlane Law represents passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists hurt in bus crashes across Harris County.
Types of Houston Bus Cases
Houston bus cases fall into several distinct categories. Houston METRO (Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County) operates local and express bus routes plus METRORail light rail, and its vehicles are involved in regular crashes — with passengers on board, with other motorists, and with pedestrians. Claims against METRO face notice-of-claim requirements and liability caps under the Texas Tort Claims Act (generally six months to provide notice, $250,000 per person / $500,000 per occurrence in caps). Houston-area independent school districts (HISD, Cypress-Fairbanks, Katy, Fort Bend) operate large school bus fleets with complex liability rules including potential federal Title IX and state education-code considerations when student safety is implicated. Charter bus companies (wedding, sports team, convention transport) are fully commercial and subject to the same FMCSR/Part 380 regulations that apply to trucks. Megabus, Greyhound, and other interstate carriers operating out of Houston terminals are federally regulated and subject to additional FMCSR oversight. Each category has its own defendants, insurance structure, and procedural hurdles.
Common Carrier Duty and Texas Law
Texas common law imposes a heightened duty of care on common carriers — the “highest degree of care” owed to passengers, which is higher than ordinary negligence. This duty applies to METRO, school buses, charter buses, and interstate carriers. Violation of this duty combined with the inherent danger of large-vehicle operations produces strong liability findings in favor of injured passengers. McFarlane Law knows how to plead and prove common-carrier negligence in Harris County courts, including the specific jury instructions that apply (Texas Pattern Jury Charge PJC 10.1B on common carriers).
Governmental Immunity in METRO and School Bus Cases
Houston METRO is a governmental unit subject to the Texas Tort Claims Act (TTCA). Plaintiffs must provide formal notice of claim within 6 months of the incident, and damages are capped at $250,000 per person / $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury. The TTCA’s liability waiver for motor vehicle operation means METRO is liable for vehicle-operator negligence, but other theories (negligent training, negligent maintenance) face immunity barriers. School districts face similar TTCA limitations, though federal civil-rights claims may apply in some cases. Charter and private carriers are NOT governmental units and face no immunity or caps — these cases can produce the largest recoveries in the Houston bus category. Identifying the correct legal framework at intake is essential.
Investigating a Houston Bus Crash
Bus crash investigations require immediate and aggressive evidence preservation. METRO and school bus operators typically have onboard video (often 8+ cameras), electronic data recorders, GPS logs, dispatch communications, and driver-assistance system records. Private charter and interstate buses have similar electronic evidence. McFarlane Law sends litigation-hold letters within 24 hours demanding preservation of video, ELD data, maintenance records, driver qualification files, and communications. For METRO cases, we serve a formal Notice of Claim within the 6-month TTCA window to preserve the claim. We also subpoena TxDOT crash reports, Harris County Sheriff or HPD investigator notes, and bystander cell-phone video where available. Witness contact information should be secured within 72 hours before memories fade.
Related Practice Areas
Related Houston subpages: Houston car accident lawyer, Houston truck accident lawyer. Statewide: Texas personal injury lawyer. Hub: Houston personal injury lawyer.
Talk to a Houston Injury Lawyer Today
Houston bus accident cases — especially METRO cases — have strict 6-month notice deadlines. Do not delay. Call McFarlane Law today. (512) 222-4900 or (432) 803-5000. Free consult.
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Deep Experience in Houston and Harris County
McFarlane Law has tried and settled cases across Harris County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, and Galveston County. Our attorneys know the Houston civil district and county courts at law, understand the local jury pools, and have worked with Houston-area medical providers, accident reconstructionists, and life-care planners on every case type covered in this silo. Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the Port of Houston, and the largest petrochemical complex in the Western Hemisphere — and we have the litigation experience to match the complexity these facilities generate. When we represent a Houston client, we do it with the same preparation, resources, and courtroom depth we bring to every Texas personal injury case. Call (512) 222-4900 or (432) 803-5000 for a free consultation.
