Bus Accident Lawyer in St. Louis

Why Are Bus Accidents So Complicated?

Bus accident injury claims are often more complex than a typical car accident case. That is because:

• Bus accidents may involve more pieces of evidence to review, potentially including the bus driver’s logs, the bus driver’s toxicology report, the bus driver’s employment and driving records, the bus’s electronic data recorder logs, and the bus’s inspection and maintenance records.
• Bus accidents can cause more serious injuries, which means that each injury victim’s case could be seeking more financial compensation. In addition, serious injuries make it more likely that a bus accident victim may still be undergoing treatment when deadlines force them to file their claim against liable parties. Therefore, they will need to estimate future expenses and losses as part of their claim.
• Bus accidents can injure more people, which means that multiple claims may be brought against a bus operator, potentially exhausting insurance coverage and other financial resources such that some injured accident victims may end up with less than full compensation.
• Imposing liability on public bus operations may prove difficult, as public entities may have statutory immunity from paying for certain kinds of injuries or compensation. Public entities are also entitled to prompt notice of claims, meaning that bus accident claims must be quickly investigated and prepared.
• Private bus companies may have complex insurance and corporate structures, making it difficult to determine what kinds of insurance coverage or financial resources may be available to compensate injured accident victims.

Causes of Bus Accidents

Some of the most common causes of bus accidents in St. Louis include:

• Speeding
• Tailgating
• Reckless driving
• Distracted driving, including when a bus driver is trying to follow a map when starting a new route, is interacting with a passenger, or is talking on the dispatch radio
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including legal prescription and over-the-counter medications
• Drowsy or fatigued driving, as bus drivers often spend many hours a day driving and may drive well into the night
• Running stop signs and red lights
• Failing to signal or check mirrors before turning or changing lanes
• Failure to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk or intersection
• Driver inexperience
• Unfamiliarity with a route
• Inadequate bus maintenance
• Defective vehicle components

Types of Bus Accident Claims We Handle

Our St. Louis bus accident lawyers represent injured victims of all types of bus accidents, including:

• School bus accidents
• Public transit bus accidents
• Greyhound bus accidents
• Charter bus accidents
• Church bus accident
• Daycare/preschool bus accidents