Party Bus Accident Lawyer in Austin
Injured in a Party Bus Crash? Here’s What Makes These Claims Different
Party buses aren’t public transit. They’re privately chartered vehicles rented for events and nights out, which means the liability rules differ significantly from an ordinary car wreck. Passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers of other vehicles can all be injured in the same crash, and sorting out who is responsible requires understanding a distinct layer of Texas law.
At Briggle & Polan, PLLC, we represent people injured in Texas bus accidents, including party bus passengers and anyone else caught in the collision. If you’ve been hurt, we can walk you through every avenue for recovery.
Call us at (512) 400-3278 for a free consultation with our Austin party bus accident attorney. We’re available 24/7, and there’s no cost to speak with us.
millions recovered for our clients
Landmark verdicts and settlements that speak for themselves
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Our client was hit head-on by a drunk teenager in front of an elementary school, flipping their vehicles.
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Our client was t-boned by a large package delivery truck that was traveling in excess of 70 mph. He sustained a severe neck injury that required spinal surgery. Our firm recovered $1,800,000 on behalf of our client.
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Our client was thrown off the back of a work truck, which fractured his skull and caused him to suffer a traumatic brain injury. *Net proceeds to the client were $900,052.11.
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Our client was run over by a drunk driver operating a company truck late at night which required multiple surgeries and months of rehabilitation. *Net proceeds to our client were $571,000.00.
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Our client was rear-ended by a large package delivery truck on I-35, which fled the scene. *Net to client was $461,708.19.
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Our client was rear-ended by an insurance adjuster in a commercial vehicle causing severe back and neck injuries. *Net to the client was $346,766.03.
Liability in a Party Bus Accident Is Rarely Simple
Texas law treats party bus and charter bus operators as common carriers, a legal classification that imposes a heightened duty of care on both the driver and the company. Where an ordinary motorist must drive reasonably, a common carrier must exercise the highest degree of care consistent with the practical operation of the vehicle. That standard can create a stronger foundation for a claim when a driver’s negligence causes a crash.
The charter company can also be held liable under vicarious liability, the doctrine that makes an employer responsible for an employee’s negligent acts performed in the course of their work. If the driver was on duty and caused the crash, the company that hired them can be liable, not just the individual behind the wheel.
Multiple parties can share responsibility for a single crash. The driver, the charter company, and another negligent motorist can each bear a portion of fault. Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule: an injured person can pursue damages as long as they’re found less than 51% responsible. If fault is shared, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility, but you can still recover.
Charter Bus Insurance Requirements in Texas
One reason party bus claims require careful analysis is the structure of required insurance. Under 43 TAC § 218.16, Texas intrastate charter buses carrying 26 or fewer passengers must carry at least $500,000 in liability coverage. Buses carrying 27 or more passengers must carry at least $5 million. Any vehicle designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, must register with the TxDMV Motor Carrier Division and maintain proof of that coverage.
The higher coverage pool sounds substantial, but there’s an important catch:
- It’s a per-crash pool, not a per-person amount. When a crash injures multiple passengers, everyone draws from the same policy.
- Recovery per person can drop sharply when the number of claimants is high relative to available coverage.
- Standard Texas auto insurance minimums are $30,000 per person and $60,000 per crash, far below what charter operators must carry, but the pool dynamic can still leave injured passengers undercompensated.
Identifying the correct coverage tier, confirming the operator’s registration status, and accounting for any uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage available to passengers are steps we take early in every case.
Why Austin Party Bus Accident Victims Work with Briggle & Polan, PLLC
Party bus accident claims involve overlapping insurance policies, multiple potential defendants, and commercial vehicle regulations most attorneys rarely encounter. We’ve secured millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for injured clients in complex, multi-party cases. That record reflects thorough investigation and preparation, not volume.
Clients work directly with their attorney from start to finish. Attorney Hayden Briggle has been named to the Texas Super Lawyers list every year from 2019 to 2025 and served on the executive committee of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. Attorney Parker Polan is a lifelong Austin resident recognized on the Texas Rising Stars list from 2014 to 2022. Our work has been recognized by Super Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers, Avvo, and the Austin Bar Foundation. We prepare every case for trial and advocate aggressively at every stage because that’s what complex claims require.
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“If you are looking for excellent and honest attorneys, call them. You will not be disappointed.”- Paige
Our FAQ
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 512-400-3278 today!
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No. Under the firm's contingency arrangement, you only pay if the firm wins or settles your case
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Yes, se habla español. Spanish-speaking clients can be assisted throughout the process.
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The firm is based in Austin and represents clients throughout Central Texas, including Georgetown, San Marcos, Pflugerville, Temple, and New Braunfels, as well as clients across the state.
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