Bus Accident Attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO

Bus Accident Attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a catastrophic bus accident, take control of your recovery by calling Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT or by contacting us online.

Bus accidents rarely ever receive the same attention as plane or train crashes, even though the can frequently be just as harmful and fatal. In 2020, there were 964 bus accidents in Missouri that resulted in personal injury or death. We trust Cape Girardeau, MO bus drivers and bus companies to maintain our safety and obey the rules. When they eschew their duty and disregard the rules it can have devastating, sometimes lifelong consequences for you or your loved ones. Your Cape Girardeau, MO bus accident attorney at Burger Law will make certain that you receive the maximum compensation that you are entitled to for your damages.

At Burger Law, our bus accident attorney team has more than 20 years of experience defending the injured in Cape Girardeau and throughout Missouri and fighting back against bullies like deceptive insurance companies and people who carelessly do not want to take responsibility for their negligent behavior. Our Cape Girardeau, MO clients have put their claims and their futures in our capable hands, and in total we have collected for them over $175 million in verdicts and settlements. Our bus accident attorney team uses their determination, devotion, relentlessness, knowledge and experience to help right wrongs in personal injury cases and help Cape Girardeau, MO residents become whole again. You should not have to lose work, pay for pricey medical bills and also manage the emotional toll of your injury just because someone else did not respect the rules. If you or a family member has been hurt in a Cape Girardeau, MO bus accident, get in touch with the bus accident attorney of Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation. We begin working on your claim at once, and you do not owe us any fees until we win you the financial recovery you are entitled to.

If you were injured in a bus accident in Cape Girardeau, MO because of somebody else's careless behavior, find out how much your injury may be worth by using our personal injury calculator.

Do I Need a Cape Girardeau, MO Bus Accident Attorney?

If you have sustained injuries in a bus accident, you are likely feeling especially undefended. After all, you were not the one driving and you boarded the bus assuming that the correct safety measures were adhered to. Cape Girardeau, MO bus companies and drivers have strict regulations they are supposed to obey, but sometimes they neglect those obligations and they leave us to pick up the pieces. Because of the force that is typically caused by bus accidents, injuries can take years to really heal from, may have permanent effects or in the worst cases can even lead to wrongful death. The Cape Girardeau, MO bus accident attorney at Burger Law will stand in your corner so you do not have to go it alone. When you hire us we begin investigating on your case straight away, and work tirelessly until you receive the maximum compensation you are owed. We have experienced with every type of bus accident injury and know every trick insurance companies use to try and deceive injured Cape Girardeau, MO individuals and families into accepting a lower recovery than they entitled to. Those Cape Girardeau, MO insurance companies are afraid of us because they know our bus accident attorney team takes up – and wins – the hard cases. Call us today and let the passionate, veteran and relentless bus accident lawyers at Burger Law help you safeguard your family’s future and help make you whole again.

Legal procedures are complex and can be difficult to comprehend for Cape Girardeau, MO residents who do not have the litigation and trial experience of an accomplished bus accident attorney. We have more than 20 years of experience fighting back against bullies and fighting the hard cases. When you hire our Cape Girardeau, MO bus accident attorney team, we manage every detail of your claim. You can bank on an accomplished and talented bus accident attorney at Burger Law to:

• Investigate the accident site the first chance we get. When you call us, we can have a bus accident lawyer at the site at any time of the day or night in order to secure essential evidence for your claim.
• Interview eyewitnesses who were either also involved in the crash or were nearby. As buses carry a lot of passengers, there are usually other passengers who want the same answers and compensation you need. We will take official depositions of eyewitnesses to aid in your case.
• Collect further evidence such as tire marks, security videos, police reports, in additional to key details such as how many miles the driver had driven that day or when the last inspection and repairs were performed on the bus. Several different factors contribute to bus accidents, and your Burger Law Cape Girardeau, MO bus accident attorney will find out the "whys" of the crash and who needs to be held liable.
• Work alongside our network of Cape Girardeau, MO accident and medical experts to determine negligence for your bus accident injuries and assess precisely how much your damages are worth. You deserve every dime of what you are owed and we will implement our know-how and expertise to make sure you get it.
• Fight back against resistant Cape Girardeau, MO insurance companies who care more about their bottom line than your health. We have seen every trick in the book that insurance companies use to try and devalue your damages. When you hire us, you can be sure those tricks will not work in your case.
• Take your case to trial if the insurance company will not offer a fair settlement, we will use our expert litigation skills to win you a full financial recovery for your injuries.

Additionally, our bus accident attorney team will be keeping you informed entire time. We take control of all communication, documentation and litigation so that you can spend all of your energy on healing and making your family whole again. You owe us no attorneys fees until we win your case. If you or a loved one has been injured in a disastrous bus accident, contact an expert and devoted bus accident attorney at Burger Law today.

Who is Liable for My Bus Accident Injuries?

Because bus drivers, companies and manufacturers all have a part to play in operating a bus safely you will first need to determine the cause of the accident before determining who was negligent. Fortunately, an accomplished and skilled Cape Girardeau, MO bus accident attorney like those at Burger Law have seen every kind of car accident, truck accident and bus accident case and will be able to find out who is liable for your injuries.

What Causes Bus Accidents? | Cape Girardeau, MO Bus Accident Attorney

• Driver age and experience. A 2012 Journal of Safety Research study found that novice drivers under 25 years old, in addition to more experienced drivers over the age of 55 were more likely to be driving when a bus accident took place.
• Driver action. While the same study stated that a mere 4 percent of bus accidents were caused by a grave offense such as driving while intoxicated, a different study by the University of Michigan found that 31 percent of bus drivers in metropolitan area bus wrecks had committed driving errors, such as speeding, being fatigued or distracted driving.
• Driver fatigue. A large portion of bus drivers, particularly those that work for commercial bus companies such as Greyhound that require drivers to drive hundreds of miles at all hours of the day or night, become sleepy and can even fall asleep behind the wheel. While most busing companies have regulations about how many hours a driver can drive during a day or how frequently they have to take a break, those regulations are frequently <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/23/us/greyhound-investigation/" target="_blank” rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener title="CNN"not obligated or followed.
• Road hazards. Given buses’ size and the awkwardness of maneuvering them, slick roads or Cape Girardeau, MO construction areas can be particularly risky for bus passengers. Sometimes a third party such as a construction company will be liable. Burger Law's bus accident attorney will help you discover if that applies case.
• Negligence by the bus company. Bus companies are overseen by regulatory bodies, but much less than other transportation industries. A 2011 study by the National Transportation Safety Board found that The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has only 878 inspectors responsible for reviews for more than 765,000 motor carriers, or only 1.15 inspectors per 1,000 motor carriers. This means inspectors generally cannot stay ahead of the number of inspections needed. Some Cape Girardeau, MO bus companies do not properly maintain their vehicles, causing them to be dangerous. Additionally, bus companies are mandated to make certain that their drivers are sufficiently trained and do not drive too long without a break.
• Dangerous roads. Unsafe road conditions or hazards in the road can result in a driver losing control and causing an accident. A Few common examples are:
  • Potholes
  • Cracked or uneven pavement
  • Malfunctioning or missing traffic signals
  • Obstacles on the road, for instance branches or vehicle wreckage
  • Poor lighting
  • Excessive grades

  The more time the dangerous condition has been on the Cape Girardeau, MO road, the better chance you have of holding the liable parties accountable. The at-fault party may be a local Cape Girardeau, MO government, or a third party whom the government hired to repair the condition but either did not do so in a timely fashion or did not adequately repair it.

Once your talented Cape Girardeau, MO bus accident attorney confirm the reasons for your wreck, they will be able to confirm who is at-fault for your injuries and how to proceed with securing you the best possible financial recovery. Below are some examples of parties who are often found at-fault in bus accident claims.

Commercial Bus Companies

Transportation buses such as Greyhounds are deemed common carriers legally speaking, which means they have a duty of care to their passengers to look out for their safety. One aspect of that duty of care is to make sure that their drivers are not being overworked. In despite of insisting that safety is their top priority, a CNN report in 2016 found that Greyhound is not following its own rules regarding driver fatigue. Drivers are technically required to stop every 150 miles and get out to inspect the vehicle to stave off sleepiness. However, the rule is not enforced and is rarely followed as too many breaks could lead to financial losses for the company. A 2012 government study stated that 37 percent of all passenger bus crashes were caused by driver fatigue. Moreover, many Greyhound riders have said that their driver was eating when the accident occurred, which constitutes distracted driving.

Ensuring that Cape Girardeau, MO buses are adequately inspected and maintained and that they have safety equipment such as seatbelts are also part of the bus company's responsibility. A bus accident might be the result of a bus company either failing to carry out routine inspections or failing to fix a broken part or component. Older buses are particularly prone to breaking down and bus companies need to keep their fleets updated.

Lastly, bus companies cannot use negligent hiring practices. All drivers need to be sufficiently licensed and trained, and should only be able to drive after passing stringent background checks. Your Cape Girardeau, MO bus accident attorney at Burger Law will perform a complete investigation into the bus company's hiring practices and the person who was driving when the accident took place.

A Bus Manufacturer

Like car and other motor vehicle manufacturers, bus manufacturers have a duty to ensure the safety of their products and swiftly announce recalls in the event of a malfunctioning product. If they approve an inherently faulty design or do not recall a component that they knew or should have known was not functioning adequately, they are guilty of product liability. While they may attempt to place the blame on somebody else, your Cape Girardeau, MO bus accident attorney at Burger Law has over two decades of experience making sure at-fault parties are held responsible for their actions.

The Cape Girardeau or Missouri Government or a Public Entity

Public transportation accidents can frequently be catastrophic because of the amount of people who could be injured and because they typically occur in densely populated areas. While you can seek a financial recovery from the Cape Girardeau, MO government, there are specific procedures for doing so. Missouri has sovereign immunities for governmental entities and government employees than for the average citizen in tort suits. If you seek to file a suit against a municipality or government employee, you must file it within 90 days of the accident with the Office of Administration’s Risk Management Division. That is why it is urgent to call a Cape Girardeau, MO bus accident attorney right away after your injury. Do not delay, call the trusted Burger Law bus accident injury lawyers now at (314) 500-HURT.

Missouri Revised Statute §537.600 grants sovereign immunity to government entities and employees except against a government employee who was operating a motor vehicle “within the course of their employment.” This means that you can sue or make a claim against a liable or thoughtless public bus driver in Missouri.

The Bus Driver

Even a properly licensed and trained bus driver can cause a crash because of negligence. If they became distracted by eating or texting, did not stop the bus when they were feeling sleepy, did not pay attention to the Cape Girardeau, MO road conditions and driving laws while they were driving or made the terrible decision to drive drunk, they need to be held responsible just like their employers sometimes have to be. When you get on a bus you trust that driver with your health and your life. If a bus driver does not take that obligation to heart and causes you injury, you can be confident that the dedicated and relentless bus accident attorney at Burger Law will make them pay.

The Other Driver

Like any type of auto crash, two or more drivers are frequently involved, and in some cases they each may shoulder a percentage of the blame. Another driver’s thoughtlessness, such as speeding, driving while intoxicated or pulling in front of the bus too quickly can hurt you. If you were harmed in a bus wreck where there was another driver or drivers involved, your talented and veteran Cape Girardeau, MO bus accident attorney will help you determine if they are responsible and if you can make a claim against their insurance company.

School Districts

School bus accidents are the most common type of bus crash in Cape Girardeau and Missouri. Nationally, school bus accidents account for 40 percent of all fatal bus crashes. While often the driver, bus company or bus manufacturer is at fault, a school district in Cape Girardeau, MO may also be held responsible, for instance if they did not cancel school on a day when road conditions were particularly dangerous or they did not perform adequate background checks when hiring drivers.

Below are some helpful links and frequently asked questions for bus accident injuries and other types of injuries:

• Do I have to Talk to the Insurance Company Before I Talk to a Lawyer?
• How Much to Expect in an Auto Accident Settlement
• What Happens During Litigation?
• Does My Family Have a Wrongful Death Claim?
• Proving Negligence in a Personal Injury Claim

What Compensation Can A Bus Accident Attorney in Cape Girardeau, MO Recover For Me?

The compensation you receive in a bus accident case will typically depend on the severity of your injuries and how they have affected and will affect they have on your life. You may have gotten a sprained ankle that just needed a quick trip to an emergency room in Cape Girardeau, MO and a week or two off work. Or, you may have experienced a disastrous spinal cord injury that leaves you disabled and in need of special equipment for the rest of your life. When you hire a dedicated and accomplished Cape Girardeau, MO bus accident attorney at Burger Law, we will make sure that you collect a full financial recovery for all of the pain and inconvenience your injury has caused and will continue to cause. Missouri Senate Bill 239 defines the damages you can receive as:

• Economic damages, including:
  • Medical costs, such as hospital bills, rehabilitation, assistive devices and medications
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning potential

  We utilize our team of medical and economic experts to determine the exact dollar amount you are owed, accounting for inflation for future lost earning potential or future medical expenses.

• Noneconomic damages, including:
  • pain and suffering
  • mental anguish
  • inconvenience
  • physical impairment
  • disfigurement
  • loss of capacity to enjoy life
  • loss of consortium

However grave your injuries and however much they have impacted your life, Burger Law's Cape Girardeau, MO bus accident attorney team will fight tirelessly to ensure that you get full compensation for all of your damages.

Learn more about our various practice areas by clicking the links below:

• Survival Action Lawyer in Missouri
• Truck Crash Lawyers in Missouri
• Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Missouri

Call Our Cape Girardeau, MO Bus Accident Attorney Today

We have seen every kind of bus accident case and know the tremendous anguish and calamitous effect it can have on your and your loved ones. Your Cape Girardeau, MO bus accident attorney at Burger Law is compassionate, accomplished, straightforward and tenacious and will use every bit of the knowledge and abilities we have acquired over the past 20 years to secure you the maximum recovery you rightfully deserve. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a bus accident, do not delay. Call Burger Law immediately at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online form for a complimentary case review.