Quick Answer
A driver was hospitalized after rear-ending a stopped Aldine ISD school bus Oct. 23 near FM 1960 and Aldine Westfield Road. Two students and the bus driver were evaluated by EMS, with no injuries reported among them. The other driver was cited for failing to control speed.
An Aldine ISD school bus crash sent the driver of another vehicle to a hospital Friday morning, Oct. 23. The vehicle rear-ended the stopped bus near FM 1960 and Aldine Westfield Road in north Harris County.
A collision involving a school bus can affect students, bus employees and people in other vehicles. For anyone injured, identifying who caused the crash also helps determine which insurance policies and legal rules apply.
A vehicle rear-ended the stopped bus
Aldine ISD said the bus was stopped to pick up additional students when another vehicle struck it from behind. Local news reported that the bus’s warning lights were flashing.
Two students were aboard. Both students and the bus driver were evaluated by emergency medical personnel, and no injuries were reported among them, according to the district.
Local news reported that the other driver was cited for failing to control speed.
Harris County Precinct 4 deputies responded around 7 a.m. Aldine ISD Police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel also went to the scene.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identifies school buses as one of the safest vehicles on the road. Their size, protective seating and other safety features help protect passengers. People traveling in smaller vehicles do not have those same protections.
Bus safety also depends on the drivers sharing the road. Leaving room for a bus to stop or turn, watching traffic signals and avoiding distractions can help prevent collisions.
An earlier Aldine crash injured four students
In a separate crash Jan. 27, four Aldine Middle School students were taken to a hospital for evaluation after a vehicle fleeing deputies struck an Aldine ISD bus in the Humble area.
Local news reported that the bus was carrying 28 students. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said a 17-year-old suspect was taken into custody.
That earlier collision illustrates how another motorist’s actions can injure people aboard a school bus. Our coverage of the fatal school bus crash in Winter Haven, Florida, also examined the danger surrounding traffic can create for bus passengers.
Who can be responsible for a school bus crash?
The district’s account describes a rear-end collision involving a stopped bus. The following examples explain how injury claims can differ in school bus crashes generally.
If another driver causes the collision
A motorist who causes a crash by running a red light, making an unsafe turn or following too closely may face an injury claim. An injured bus passenger can pursue a claim against that driver. The bus’s connection to a public school does not give an unrelated motorist governmental immunity.
If a school district employee causes the collision
Texas school districts have governmental immunity. The Texas Tort Claims Act provides a limited exception for certain injuries caused by an employee’s negligent operation or use of a motor vehicle while working within the scope of employment.
The facts need to fit the motor vehicle exception and satisfy the law’s other requirements.
Our Texas guide to teen driving and school bus accident claims explains additional issues families can face.
School district claims have separate notice requirements
The Texas Tort Claims Act generally requires notice of a claim within six months of the incident. Notice should describe the injury or damage, when and where the incident happened, and what occurred.
This requirement is separate from the deadline to sue. Exceptions can apply; have the requirements reviewed promptly.
Evidence to preserve after a bus collision
Video and records can help explain how a collision occurred. Depending on what equipment and records exist, useful evidence may include:
- Bus and dashcam video: Footage may show traffic signals, vehicle movements and the impact.
- Nearby surveillance footage: Businesses or homes may have recorded the vehicles approaching the crash.
- Photographs and witness information: Vehicle damage, road markings and independent accounts can help reconstruct events.
- Bus records: Route information, GPS data and driver records may help establish the timeline.
- Medical records: Treatment records document the injuries and care an injured person receives.
People involved should keep their photographs, messages and paperwork. Parents should also save school communications about a bus collision. An attorney can request preservation of relevant records before routine deletion or overwriting removes them.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone in another vehicle bring a claim involving a school bus?
A person in another vehicle may have a claim. A claim against a public school district also needs to satisfy the applicable immunity exception.
What should parents keep after their child’s bus is involved in a crash?
Save school notices, the bus or route number, photographs, witness information and medical paperwork. Write down what your child tells you in their own words without suggesting answers.
Should families wait for a final crash report before seeking legal advice?
They can seek advice while records are being gathered. Early review can help identify relevant evidence and deadlines.
Help after a school bus crash in Houston
An injury from a bus collision can leave a family facing medical bills, missed work and questions about what happens next. Identifying the responsible parties and preserving evidence are early steps toward understanding the available options. Cases involving minors are also treated much differently than regular personal injury cases.
If you or a loved one was injured in a school bus collision, the Houston bus accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian can review what happened and explain how Texas law may apply. Contact our office for a free consultation.
