Saturday afternoon before 3:30, a charter bus carrying about 50 TCU students to the opening game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington between the LSU Tigers and the TCU Horned Frogs ran up a curb and into a utility pole in a crash that injured 9 passengers. Our Texas charter bus crash injury attorneys note that the crash occurred on South University Drive in Fort Worth just two blocks away from the TCU campus.

Reportedly, the bus driver ran the bus up the curb intentionally due to concern over an apparent problem with the charter bus’s brakes. The bus was operated by Dignity Outreach Center of Dallas. Four of the 9 injured passengers were hospitalized for observation. (Source: khou.com, 8/31/13)

The Texas charter bus crash injury attorneys at Denena Points, PC wish the injured passengers safe and swift recoveries from their crash.

When A Brake Problem is Actually an Accelerator Problem

In some major bus crashes involving multiple injuries and fatalities, witnesses reported hearing the sound of an engine revving. And the bus driver reported sudden, unintended acceleration of the bus. The bus drivers in these accidents often reported that the brakes failed.

Investigation of these serious bus crashes revealed that the real culprit was often pedal misapplication. (See: the NTSB report entitled Pedal Misapplication in Heavy Vehicles, Special Investigative Report, 9/1/2009.) In the accidents studied by the NTSB, the bus driver, thinking that he was applying the brake pedal and that the brakes had failed, was actually applying the gas pedal instead.

Our Texas charter bus crash injury attorneys mention that pedal misapplication is sometimes a problem among school bus drivers. When they must exchange their customary buses for another type, often with different and unfamiliar pedal placements or designs, the drivers might accidentally apply the wrong pedals. Click the link to read about another injury accident this weekend caused by a passenger vehicle driver who misapplied the gas pedal instead of the brake.

Inadequate Bus Inspection and Maintenance is a Common Cause of Bus Brake Problems

Buses generally rack up the mileage in comparison to passenger vehicles. The buses are often in heavy use for multiple long journeys every day. And slowing and stopping a loaded bus, especially if the bus has to slow quickly in stalling traffic, puts immense wear and tear on the brakes. Sometimes bus owners and operators don’t consistently perform the necessary brake inspections and maintenance necessary to keep these vital pieces of equipment in good operating order.

Injured in a Bus Crash and Need More Information on Possible Causes and What You Should Do? Contact Us for a FREE Initial Legal Consultation

Our 14 years of experience investigating and successfully resolving complex accident injury cases for our clients could help guide you in making informed decisions after a serious bus crash. Our Board Certified Texas charter bus crash injury attorneys provide a free and confidential initial legal consultation to discuss your accident and evaluate your potential eligibility for a full financial recovery for your injuries. You have no obligation to hire an attorney. And we never charge you attorneys’ fees unless we win your case for you. Call us at 713-807-9500 or just fill out ouronline contact form to schedule your free legal consultation.

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