If you or a loved one were recently involved in a bus accident, chances are that you are in the process of choosing between bus accident law firms. Bus accident cases are often complicated and require diligent and experienced investigation. Learn five signs of quality bus accident law firms and discover how Mithoff Law embodies these characteristics.
Ready to meet with one of our renowned Houston Houston bus accident lawyers or Houston car accident lawyers? Call us at 713-654-1122 to set up your consultation today.
1. A record of success
Although bus companies are typically regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, tragic accidents do still occur. Mithoff Law has decades of experience representing those injured in bus accidents, as well as surviving family members pursuing wrongful death cases.
The ultimate goal of our work is to ensure that clients’ interests are represented fully and fairly and that known safety hazards are addressed so future accidents can be prevented.
Hurricane Rita evacuation bus fire
Richard Mithoff and the personal injury bus accident attorneys at Mithoff Law served as Lead Liaison Counsel for Plaintiffs in the litigation that arose out of the Hurricane Rita evacuation bus fire, which resulted in the deaths of 23 nursing home residents who were attempting to evacuate out of the path of the hurricane.
As Lead Liaison Counsel, Mithoff worked to negotiate an $80 million aggregate settlement for all of the affected families, including Mithoff Law’s own clients.
Discovery efforts such as depositions were instrumental in supporting the Plaintiffs’ theory of design defect. Interviewed by the Houston Chronicle in connection with the settlement, Richard Mithoff explained the Plaintiffs’ theory of the case, relating to an allegedly defective wheel hub assembly in the bus: “We discovered in the course of taking depositions, too much heat generated in the hub assembly . . . It led us to conclude there was a design defect.”
Bus accident on U.S. 59 in Victoria, Texas
Mithoff Law represented the widow and daughter of a man who died when an interstate bus overturned on U.S. 59 near Victoria, Texas. The two women were also aboard the bus when it overturned and sustained injuries themselves. The Plaintiffs alleged after the investigation that the accident was attributable in part to driver fatigue, which resulted in oversteer and the bus overturning.
Mithoff Law attorneys Richard Mithoff and Janie Jordan were instrumental in negotiating a $10 million aggregate settlement for the more than 40 persons injured in the accident. $4.3 million of which was allocated to Mithoff Law’s clients. As reported by the Chronicle, the $10 million represented all of the available insurance proceeds available.
2. Respect for clients
Reputable bus accident law firms show the utmost respect for their clients, many of whom have recently been through difficult or traumatic events. Mithoff Law is a deliberately small and streamlined law firm that treats our clients with care.
We return our clients’ phone calls, answer our clients’ questions and keep our clients informed about developments and decisions. This approach has earned us the respect of our clients and fellow lawyers.
3. Quick investigative action
Although many factors commonly contribute to bus accident cases, no two claims are ever alike. It is the investigation phase, from reviewing available evidence to deposing key witnesses, that often makes the difference in getting a bus accident case settled or prepared for trial.
At the outset of a case, the team at Mithoff Law works quickly to dig into the available facts, whether through crash reports, interviewing witnesses, or examining available physical evidence. The goal is to determine the root and contributing causes of a crash, to ensure that the responsible parties are held to account.
4. A network of subject-matter experts
The causes of bus accidents vary, from driver inattention and/or fatigue to vehicle defects to external factors such as other motorists. Mithoff Law’s decades of experience have helped us build professional relationships with subject-matter experts who can help determine accident causes and hold those who may be at-fault accountable.
The types of subject-matter experts we enlist include medical experts, automotive safety experts, accident recreationists, forensic engineering experts, who can work on many types of bus accidents, from those involving school buses to charter buses.
Not only can Mithoff Law leverage our network of subject-matter experts, but Richard Mithoff has more than 45 years of experience deposing representatives of product manufacturers and has used that experience to assist in determining the root and contributing causes of component part failures.
5. A thorough and helpful consultation
Quality bus accident law firms work tirelessly to ensure that, when bus accidents do happen, their clients’ interests take top priority. But before clients can file a complaint, begin the discovery process, negotiate a settlement, or go to trial, they and their prospective bus accident law firm should hold a consultation. This initial meeting can help establish whether or not you have a case and gives you a chance to meet the firm with whom you may be working.
Schedule a Consultation with Mithoff Law, one of Houston’s most renowned bus accident law firms.
A bus accident often involves a variety of complex factors and multiple stakeholders—working through the details to discover the truth requires deep experience and an even deeper network of partners. For decades, the attorneys at Mithoff Law have put our experience to work, assisting clients injured or families of those killed in bus accidents.
To schedule a consultation with one of the top bus accident law firms in the nation, call 713-654-2244 today.
More Helpful Articles by Mithoff Law:
- Dealing with the Plane Crash Aftermath
- Types of Personal Injury Compensation
- The Difference Between Negligence and Malpractice
- Pain and Suffering Damages: What You Need to Know
- What to do After a Car Accident: A Lawyer’s Guide
