The Department of Public Safety has concluded its analysis on what caused the fatal San Antonio-area bus crash in March. They found that the accident resulted from a combination of mechanical failure and the panicked bus driver’s reaction.
Investigators say a broken U-joint created a loud noise beneath the bus as it drove down Interstate 37. Driver Irma Morado reacted to the noise by jerking the steering wheel, overcorrecting, and causing the bus to veer wildly and flip over.
The bus accident caused two deaths and injured more than 40 people.
Investigators first thought that a broken drive shaft was the culprit. However, the six-month investigation concluded that both the driver’s actions and the broken U-joint were to blame.
Several of the victims have pending lawsuits against Americanos USA, the bus company that owns the vehicle and employs Morado. Both Americanos and partner Greyhound insist that the vehicle was well-maintained and had been inspected one day prior to the accident.
The DPS report is likely to be good news to the victims. If the litigation goes to trial, the official report is certain to be a key piece of evidence. Regardless of the report’s impact, the law holds bus operators to a strict duty of care, otherwise known as common carrier liability.
Fortunately, most traffic accidents aren’t as devastating. But the injuries are almost always more severe when buses or commercial trucking vehicles (also known as 18-wheelers or big rigs) are involved. These injuries can be life-altering and range from whiplash and broken bones to spinal and brain damage.
If you or a loved one is the victim of an accident with a bus or semi-truck, it is crucial to promptly contact an experienced personal injury attorney. A lawyer can help document and preserve evidence, as well as investigate the party alleged to be responsible for your injuries.