Bus Accidents Generations of Trusted Advocacy

Bus Accident Attorney in Houma

Name: Waitz & Downer
Address: 423 Goode Street,, Houma, LA, 70360
Telephone: (985) 331-7832

Decades of Terrebonne Parish Roots Behind Every Bus Injury Claim

Since 1971, Waitz & Downer has represented injured individuals and families throughout South Louisiana. When a bus accident causes serious injuries or takes a life, the claims that follow are rarely straightforward. Multiple parties may share fault, government entities may be involved, and the bus company’s insurer may move quickly to limit what it pays. Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined legal experience, and we work to build evidence-backed claims that pursue the full compensation our clients deserve.

Bus accidents differ from standard vehicle collisions in critical ways. Buses are common carriers under Louisiana law, which can impose a heightened duty of care on the operator. Liability may extend beyond the driver to the bus company, a transit authority, a maintenance contractor, or a parts manufacturer. Identifying every responsible party early is essential to building a claim that reflects the true scope of harm.

If you or a family member was hurt in a bus accident in the Houma area, call us at (985) 331-7832 for a free, confidential consultation. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Types of Bus Accident Cases We Handle

Our attorneys represent clients in personal injury and wrongful death claims involving all types of bus accidents throughout Terrebonne Parish and South Louisiana. Each category carries distinct liability considerations, insurance structures, and procedural requirements.

Public and city transit buses: These may be operated by a government entity or a contracted third party, which affects how and when a claim must be filed. Special notice requirements and shorter administrative deadlines can apply to government defendants in Louisiana.
School buses: While school buses are among the safest vehicles on the road, collisions involving them can be catastrophic for occupants of other vehicles. School districts and their insurers may be liable parties.
Charter and tour buses: Private companies operating for hire carry their own insurance and safety obligations. Driver fatigue from long-haul schedules is a common contributing factor in charter bus crashes.
Commercial long-distance carriers: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards define a bus as any vehicle designed for more than ten persons, encompassing airport shuttles, intercity coaches, and similar vehicles subject to federal safety regulation.

Identifying Every Liable Party

A bus accident claim can involve far more defendants than a typical motor vehicle case. Settling too early or naming too few parties often leaves compensation on the table. We investigate crash scenes, driver records, maintenance logs, and the relationships between every entity that touched the vehicle or employed the driver.

Potentially liable parties in a bus accident include:

The bus driver: Distracted driving, fatigue, speeding, or failure to obey traffic laws
The bus company or transit authority: Inadequate driver training, poor vehicle maintenance, or unsafe scheduling practices
Maintenance contractors and parts manufacturers: Defective brakes, tires, or other components that contributed to the crash
Other motorists: Third-party drivers whose negligence contributed to a multi-vehicle collision
Government entities: Poorly maintained roadways or government-operated transit systems, each carrying procedural requirements specific to Louisiana

When the evidence supports it, we pursue full compensation, even when that means taking a case to trial rather than accepting an inadequate offer.

What Our Clients Say

We treat every client like family, from the first phone call through the resolution of their case. That commitment shows in the relationships we build and the results we've achieved. Hear directly from South Louisiana families we’ve represented.

The Attorneys at Waitz & Downer

Three generations of the Waitz family have guided this firm since Joseph L. Waitz founded it in 1971. That continuity isn’t just a talking point. It means our clients benefit from institutional knowledge of Terrebonne Parish courts, local industries, and the insurance carriers that operate in this region.

Hunt Downer Jr.
With over 50 years of legal experience and service as former Louisiana Speaker of the House, Hunt Downer brings a rare combination of trial ability and legislative insight to plaintiff representation. He focuses on cases in the oil, gas, and seafood industries.

Mary Waitz Riviere
A 30-year career in complex, serious personal injury cases, with particular depth in maritime and offshore matters and victims’ rights advocacy.

Hon. Joseph Waitz Jr.
Terrebonne Parish District Attorney since 1997 and of counsel with the firm, providing courtroom credibility built over decades of public service.

Joseph L. Waitz III
Since joining the firm in 2014, he has achieved millions in judgments or settlements through aggressive representation aimed at maximizing client recovery.

Gary Williams Jr.
Practicing Louisiana law since 2015 with six years as an Assistant District Attorney, Gary is the incoming president of the Terrebonne Parish Bar Association.

Ellen D. Doskey
Over 25 years of Louisiana legal practice across a range of personal injury and civil matters.

Our attorneys have earned Martindale, Client Reviewed, and Lawyers of Distinction recognitions, reflecting both peer and client confidence in our work.

I would recommend them to anyone needing a personal injury attorney.
“Waitz and Downer has handled legal affairs for my family for years. My daughter was involved in a head on collision with a drunk driver. The insurance company did not want to pay for my daughter to purchase a new car, hers was totaled. Waitz and Downer handled the matter very professionally and things were settled very quickly.”

- Lie Ann M.
Mary W. Riviere and her team are outstanding!
“Mary is sharp, professional, and friendly. She strives to meets the needs of her clients, and she truly invest in them and their cases. She is easily assessable, and she is exceptionally honest and trustworthy. She is an excellent attorney, and I highly recommend her!
”

- Dana P.
This firm is exceedingly generous to its clients and the community at large.
“Excellent law firm. Attorney Hunt Downer is a very down to earth guy who likes to keep it simple.”

- Joseph G.

Compensation Available After a Bus Accident in Houma

Bus collisions frequently cause catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, severe lacerations, and lasting psychological trauma like PTSD. The value of a claim depends on documenting every category of loss, not just the initial medical bills.

Recoverable damages in a Louisiana bus accident claim typically include:

Past and future medical expenses, including surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing care
Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress and diminished quality of life

In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may pursue compensation for their own losses as well as those the deceased would have been entitled to recover.

We don’t settle for the first offer an insurer puts on the table. Our attorneys pursue full compensation for past, current, and future losses, and we’re prepared to go to trial when a fair resolution can’t be reached through negotiation.

Louisiana Laws That Affect Your Bus Injury Claim

Our attorneys grew up and practice in the communities we serve, giving us direct familiarity with Louisiana’s courts, procedural rules, and the insurance systems that bus accident claimants must navigate.

Common Carrier Duty of Care

Under Louisiana law, bus operators classified as common carriers may be held to a heightened standard of care toward their passengers. A bus company’s failure to meet that standard can form the basis of a negligence claim, even in situations where an ordinary driver might not be found liable.

Louisiana Comparative Fault

Louisiana follows a comparative fault rule. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover damages as long as you weren’t solely responsible for the accident. This makes thorough investigation critical: the bus company’s insurer may look for any reason to shift blame onto you.

Prescriptive Period (Statute of Limitations)

Louisiana recently changed its filing deadline. For bus accident injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2024, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Injuries occurring before July 1, 2024, are subject to the prior one-year deadline. When a government entity operates the bus, additional notice requirements and potentially shorter administrative deadlines may also apply. Contacting a bus accident attorney in Houma promptly can help protect your right to pursue a claim.

Over Five Decades of Legal Practice Protecting Families for Generations

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Strength with Heart

Big-firm results, small-town heart—we treat every client like one of our own.
We Stand Firm

From oilfields to open waters, we fight for the injured and the families left behind.
One Shared Mission
Three generations strong, our family’s legacy is protecting yours when tragedy strikes.
Rooted in the Gulf Coast

Born from the region we serve, we stand with our neighbors through every storm and every fight for justice.

Why Houma Families Trust Waitz & Downer

Statewide billboard firms and high-volume operations may promise fast results, but they rarely know the courtrooms, adjusters, and community dynamics that shape outcomes in Terrebonne Parish. Our attorneys grew up here. We live in the communities we serve, and we’ve stood with South Louisiana families through the region’s most difficult times for over five decades.

When you hire us for a bus accident case, you get personalized attention and direct communication with your attorney throughout the process. We don’t hand your file to a paralegal and move on. You’ll receive clear, consistent updates so you’re never left guessing about the status of your claim.

We offer free, confidential consultations with straightforward guidance and no pressure. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Your case gets the preparation, resources, and advocacy it deserves, with no financial risk to you up front.

Call Waitz & Downer at (985) 331-7832 or use our online contact form to schedule your free consultation with a bus accident attorney in Houma. Let our family fight for yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Was Partly at Fault in a Bus Accident?

Under Louisiana’s comparative fault rule, your compensation is reduced by your share of fault, but you can still recover as long as you weren’t solely responsible for the accident. A bus accident attorney can help establish the other parties’ liability and minimize any fault attributed to you.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Bus Accident in Louisiana?

Louisiana law designates a specific priority order. The surviving spouse and children have first priority, followed by parents, then siblings, and then grandparents if no one in a prior class survives. Each group has a limited time to act.

What If the Bus Was Operated by a Government Agency?

Claims against government-operated transit authorities may involve additional notice requirements, shorter administrative deadlines, and different procedural rules than claims against private companies. Contacting an attorney as soon as possible after the accident can help ensure these deadlines aren’t missed.

What Evidence Matters Most in a Bus Accident Claim?

Accident reports, driver logs, vehicle maintenance records, bus company training files, surveillance footage, witness statements, and your medical records all bear on proving liability and calculating damages. Preserving this evidence quickly is important because bus companies may overwrite or destroy records if not put on notice.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Bus Injury Attorney?

At Waitz & Downer, we handle bus accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs and owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is free and confidential.

fighting for the injured

With Generations of Strength

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