The VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority (commonly referred to as VIA Metro or simply VIA) in San Antonio is responsible for the city’s buses and other methods of public transportation. If you get injured in an accident involving a VIA Metro vehicle, the claims process will look different from a standard auto accident case. You may need legal assistance from a San Antonio bus accident attorney.
What Is the VIA Metro in San Antonio?
The VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio is the city’s public transportation network. It provides regional multimodal transportation options seven days a week, from 4:00 AM to 1:00 AM. VIA buses visit 5,984 bus stops along 75 bus lines in the area. The VIA Metro is responsible for public buses in San Antonio as well as paratransit services for people with disabilities, VIA Primo, VIA Link, Vanpool services, and Park & Ride. As of February 2024, VIA Metro vehicles complete an average of 24 million passenger trips per year.
Common Causes of VIA Metro Accidents in San Antonio
According to data gathered by VIA Metro, the rate of major collisions involving VIA vehicles per 100,000 miles driven was 1.58 in 2022. There was also a user complaint rate of 3.87 complaints per 10,000 bus passengers. Each bus operated an average of 21,390 miles before experiencing a major mechanical failure. Common causes of VIA Metro bus accidents are bus driver error and bus equipment failure. A careless or reckless bus driver can make dangerous mistakes that result in harmful collisions, such as speeding, distracted driving, tailgating, red-light running, unsafe lane changes, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Equipment failures due to maintenance problems can also result in VIA Metro accidents in San Antonio. Common examples include tire blowouts, brake failures, steering equipment failures and engine failures. A bus driver may lose control of a bus and crash if a piece of equipment suddenly malfunctions or breaks down in transit.
Who Is Responsible for Public Transit Accidents on the VIA Metro in San Antonio?
The VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority is owned by the Texas government. If you get hurt in an accident involving a VIA Metro vehicle, your injury claim may be against the municipal government in San Antonio. As such, it will follow the rules and regulations of the Texas Tort Claims Act. This law establishes special rules for individuals who wish to sue the government. It is designed to protect the government from liability, or legal and financial responsibility, for accidents and injuries. To hold the government responsible for an accident that is the fault of the VIA Metro or one of its employees, you or your lawyer must prove negligence. Your bus accident attorney must provide proof demonstrating that the VIA Metro owed you a duty of care, breached or violated this duty, and that this caused your bus accident. San Antonio also has municipal laws for claims against the government, including a short deadline for filing. Rather than the typical personal injury statute of limitations of two years, a claim against the government in San Antonio must be filed within just 90 days of the accident.
How Can an Attorney Help After a VIA Metro Accident in San Antonio?
A bus accident attorney can investigate your crash, search for signs of fault or negligence, collect evidence, and take over insurance negotiations on your behalf. An attorney will understand the Texas Tort Claims Act and how to abide by its rules while bringing your lawsuit. You can trust your attorney to handle the complicated legal aspects of your claim while you focus on healing from your injuries. If you were recently hurt in a VIA Metro accident in San Antonio, contact the Law Offices of Maloney & Campolo to request a free legal consultation. Our attorneys can help you understand and protect your rights. Call (210) 922-2200 today.