Fifteen Bus Crash Victims Sue For $250 Million

HOUSTON, March 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas trial lawyer Tony Buzbee has filed suit for fifteen passengers who were aboard the charter bus hit by a freight train on March 7, 2017 in Biloxi, Mississippi. The cases were filed in Harris County state court, in Houston, Texas, and collectively seek more than $250 million in damages. The bus in question was traveling from one Mississippi casino to another Mississippi casino when it became stuck at a steep grade crossing on tracks owned and maintained by CSX Corporation. The violent collision pushed the 20 plus ton charter bus more than 200 feet. Four were killed in the crash, and more than forty were injured. Included within Buzbee's client group is the Estate of Debbie Orr, deceased, and her widowed husband Tim. At least seventeen accidents had occurred previously at the crossing, including at least two accidents within the last two years where large vehicles were stuck on the tracks while trying to cross. The charter bus, which originated in Austin, Texas, was operated by Texas-based Echo Transportation. Echo Transportation is part of the TBL Group, based in Houston, Texas. The trip was organized by Diamond Tours, Inc.

"This is a terrible tragedy. This type of thing happens far too often across the United States. We intend to shed an intense light on CSX and the others who caused this. Our preliminary investigation reveals that CSX and others knew that this crossing needed attention. We also believe the CSX conductor had more than adequate distance to stop when he became aware that the bus was stuck at the crossing," said Buzbee. "Our hope is that through these efforts, we can do something here such that this type of thing never happens again."

The named Defendants in the cases are: Echo Transportation, Inc., Diamond Tours, Inc., TBL Group, Inc., CSX Transportation, Inc., and ABC Companies. The lead case is: Hall v. Echo Transportation, Inc., et al.; Cause No. 2017-17413; In the 151^st District Court, Harris County, Texas.

The Buzbee Law Firm, based in Houston, Texas, has obtained more than two billion dollars in verdicts and settlements in the past fifteen years. Tony Buzbee was named the 2015 "Attorney of the Year" by Texas Lawyer Magazine, as a result of obtaining multiple verdicts in excess of $20 million, including the largest personal injury verdict in Texas that year: $159 million. Buzbee also served as lead counsel in the defense of former Texas Governor Rick Perry.

SOURCE The Buzbee Law Firm