Flanked by Attorney James Shaw, Attorney Scott Tshirhart and Attorney Tim Maloney client Deborah Chavez emotionally described what happened before the Americanos bus she was riding careened out of control Tuesday on Internet 37, flipping over in the median. It is now understood that two died and about 40 others on board were injured. The first of what may total numerous lawsuits against Americanos was filed Thursday.
Ms. Chavez explained how she remembered a lot of shaking and shuddering, then it stopped then the bus lost control. In the conference Attorney Maloney explained during the news conference that it is a tell-tale sign supporting the preliminary findings by the Texas Department of Public Safety that the driveshaft had broken off. "How the hell did the driveshaft fall out?" asked Maloney, who said he successfully sued on behalf of six plaintiffs who burned to death in a very similar crash a few years ago. He said the bus company mechanics who conducted routine maintenance the day before the Americanos crash, should have picked up the problem.
It was then explained that when you can literally turn a driveshaft with your hand, you got a U-joint problem. Hopefully, Americanos was better than that and that problem wasn't ignored and hopes to confirm with other passengers his client’s description of the bus shaking and shuddering. The team of lawyers decided to file the lawsuit quickly to preserve evidence and document memories that are fresh of what happened. The lawsuit should help preserve evidence and documents. The attorneys also plan to interview to bus company employees and the mechanics who worked on the bus.
Ms. Chavez suffered a blow to her head that knocked her unconscious for a time as she and those on board were tossed around the bus and on top of each other when it came to rest on its side. "The people were screaming, crying," Chavez said, herself still fighting back tears. Instead of going to visit her parents for spring break, as she had planned that day, Chavez is undergoing neurological and orthopedic testing and treatment. Until there is a prognosis about those injuries and her knee, Attorney James Shaw said the lawsuit for now seeks unspecified damages.
The lawsuit names Americanos and its parent companies, Greyhound and Firstgroup America, as defendants. A spokesperson would not comment on the lawsuit but did say the company is cooperating with the investigation. DPS is expected to issue its final report on the cause of the crash in the next two weeks. Although Chavez said she never had any problem riding buses before, she said she "will never ride a bus again."
If you or a family member were injured in the Americanos Bus Accident or another bus accident, call the Law Offices of Carabin Shaw at 800-862-1260. The call is free. The consultation is free.