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Bus Accident Attorney in Mount Vernon, MO
Bus Accident Attorney in Mount Vernon, MO. If you or a loved one has been harmed 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 get equal attention as plane or train wrecks, even though the can frequently be just as harmful and deadly. In 2020, there were 964 bus accidents in Missouri that resulted in personal injury or death. We trust Mount Vernon, MO bus drivers and bus companies to maintain our safety and follow the rules. When they eschew their responsibilities and disregard the rules it can have terrible, sometimes permanent outcomes for you or your loved ones. Your Mount Vernon, MO bus accident attorney at Burger Law will make certain that you get the best possible compensation that you deserve for your injuries.
At Burger Law, our bus accident attorney team has over two decades of experience defending the injured in Mount Vernon and throughout Missouri and pushing back against bullies like dishonest insurance companies and people who egotistically do not want to be held accountable for their thoughtless behavior. Our Mount Vernon, MO clients have put their claims and their futures in our trustworthy hands, and in total we have gotten them over $175 million in verdicts and settlements. Our bus accident attorney team uses their determination, devotion, resolution, knowledge and experience to help find justice in personal injury cases and help Mount Vernon, MO residents become whole again. You should not have to lose work, pay for ridiculous medical costs and also handle the emotional shock of your injury only because somebody else did not respect the rules. If you or someone you care about has been hurt in a Mount Vernon, MO bus accident, call the bus accident attorney of Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation. We start working on your case right away, and you do not owe us any fees until we win you the financial recovery you deserve.
If you were injured in a bus accident in Mount Vernon, MO because of somebody else's reckless behavior, find out how much your claim may be worth by using our personal injury calculator.
What's The Process to Settle My Personal Injury Claim?
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Do I Need a Mount Vernon, MO Bus Accident Attorney?
If you were caused injuries in a bus accident, you are probably feeling especially unprotected. After all, you were not the one driving and you went aboard the bus under the assumption that the adequate safety protocols were adhered to. Mount Vernon, MO bus companies and drivers have strict regulations they have a duty to adhere to, but sometimes they fail in those responsibilities and they leave us to pick up the pieces. Because of the force that is generally exerted by bus accidents, injuries can take years to fully recover from, may have permanent consequences or in the most tragic cases can even cause wrongful death. The Mount Vernon, MO bus accident attorney at Burger Law will fight on your behalf so you do not need to face an uncertain future alone. When you hire us we begin investigating on your case at once, and work relentlessly until you recover the maximum compensation you are owed. We have seen every type of bus accident injury and know every trick insurance companies use to try and defraud injured Mount Vernon, MO individuals and families into accepting less money than they entitled to. Those Mount Vernon, MO insurance companies fear us because they know our bus accident attorney team takes on – and wins – the hard cases. Call us today and let the passionate, experienced and aggressive bus accident lawyers at Burger Law help you safeguard your family’s future and help make you whole again.
Legal procedures are complicated and can be difficult to comprehend for Mount Vernon, MO residents who do not have the litigation and trial abilities of an accomplished bus accident attorney. For over two decades fighting back against bullies and fighting the hard fight. When you hire our Mount Vernon, MO bus accident attorney team, we handle every detail of your claim. You can anticipate an experienced and knowledgeable bus accident attorney at Burger Law to:
- Investigate the accident site immediately. When you call us, we can have a bus accident lawyer on the scene at any time of the day or night in order to acquire key evidence for your case.
- Interview eyewitnesses who were either also involved in the crash or were close by. As buses carry a lot of passengers, there are almost always other people who want the same answers and compensation you seek. We will perform official depositions of eyewitnesses to help in your case.
- Acquire additional evidence such as tire marks, security videos, police reports, as well as key details such as how far the driver had driven without taking a break or when the last inspection and repairs were done on the bus. A lot of different factors contribute to bus accidents, and your Burger Law Mount Vernon, MO bus accident attorney will find out why the crash happened and who needs to be held liable.
- Use our network of Mount Vernon, MO accident and medical experts to determine negligence for your bus accident injuries and compute precisely how much your injuries are worth. You deserve every dime of what you are owed and we will implement our experience and expertise to make sure you get it.
- Stand up to resistant Mount Vernon, MO insurance companies who are more interested in their bottom line than your well-being. 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 schemes will not work in your case.
- Take the fight to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we will use our constantly trained litigation skills to win you a great financial recovery for your injuries.
Furthermore, our bus accident attorney team will be in your corner whole time. We take control of all communication, documentation and litigation so that you can focus all of your energy on healing and making your family whole again. We charge no attorneys fees until we win your case. If you or someone you care about has been hurt in a catastrophic bus accident, contact an expert and devoted bus accident attorney at Burger Law today.
Who is Liable for My Bus Accident Injuries?
Because it takes so many people to run a bus safely, from manufacturers, to bus companies to drivers, you will first need to learn the cause of the accident before determining who was negligent. Thankfully, an accomplished and skilled Mount Vernon, MO bus accident attorney like those at Burger Law have seen every category of car accident, truck accident and bus accident case and will be able to find out who needs to be held liable for your injuries.
What Causes Bus Accidents? | Mount Vernon, MO Bus Accident Attorney
- Driver age and experience. A 2012 Journal of Safety Research study found that recently licensed drivers under 25 years old, as well as more experienced drivers over 55 years old were more likely to be driving when a bus accident happened.
- Driver error. While the same study reported that just 4 percent of bus accidents were caused by a grave offense such as drunk driving, a different study by the University of Michigan found that 31 percent of bus drivers in metropolitan area bus collisions had committed driving errors, for example, speeding, being fatigued or distracted driving.
- Driver fatigue. A lot of bus drivers, particularly the ones that are employed by commercial bus lines such as Greyhound that necessitate drivers to drive hundreds of miles at all hours of the day or night, become fatigued and can even fall asleep at the wheel. While most busing companies have specifications about how many hours a driver can drive during without a break or how often they have to take a break, those regulations are often <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/23/us/greyhound-investigation/" target="_blank” rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener title="CNN"not enforced or complied with.
- Road hazards. Given buses’ size and the difficulty of driving them, slick roads or Mount Vernon, MO construction areas can be particularly hazardous for bus commuters. Sometimes a third party such as a construction company is liable. Burger Law's bus accident attorney will help you determine if that is true in your case.
- Negligence by the bus company. Bus companies are regulated, but not close to as much as other transportation industries. A 2011 study by the National Transportation Safety Board found that The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has only 878 people responsible for inspections of more than 765,000 trucks and buses, or just 1.15 inspectors per 1,000 motor carriers. This means inspectors generally cannot stay ahead of the amount of inspections needed. Some Mount Vernon, MO bus companies do not properly repair their vehicles, causing them to be less safe. Furthermore, bus companies are obligated to ensure that their drivers are sufficiently trained and do not drive too many hours without a break.
- Hazardous roads. Unsafe road conditions or hazards in the road can lead to a driver losing control and causing an accident. A Few common examples are:
- Potholes
- Cracked or uneven pavement
- Malfunctioning or missing traffic lights
- Obstacles on the road, such as branches or vehicle wreckage
- Poor lighting
- Excessive grades
The longer the hazardous condition has been on the Mount Vernon, MO street, the better your chances of holding the negligent parties accountable. The negligent party may be a local Mount Vernon, MO government, or a third party whom the government hired to repair the condition but either did not do so quickly enough or did not adequately repair it.
Once your talented Mount Vernon, MO bus accident attorney confirm the cause of your crash, they will be able to confirm who is responsible for your injuries and how to take the next steps toward winning you maximum compensation. Below are some examples of parties who are frequently found liable in bus accident claims.
Commercial Bus Lines
Transportation buses such as Greyhounds are deemed common carriers under the law, which means they have a duty of care to their riders to maintain their safety. One aspect of that duty of care is to make sure that their drivers are not driving too many hours without a break. Despite insisting that safety is their principal priority, a CNN report in 2016 found that Greyhound is not obeying its own rules regarding driver fatigue. Drivers are theoretically obligated to stop every 150 miles and get out to inspect the bus to hold off drowsiness. However, the rule is not enforced and is rarely followed as too many breaks could cause financial losses for the company. A 2012 government study stated that 37 percent of all passenger bus crashes were due to driver fatigue. Furthermore, many Greyhound customers have said that their driver was eating during the time of an accident, which is an example of distracted driving.
Making sure that Mount Vernon, MO buses are properly inspected and repaired and that they have safety equipment such as seatbelts are also the responsibility of the bus company. A bus accident might be the result of a bus company either neglecting to conduct routine inspections or neglecting to repair a broken part or component. Buses with more miles under their wheels are especially prone to breaking down and bus companies must keep their fleets updated.
Lastly, bus companies cannot use negligent hiring practices. All drivers need to be adequately licensed and trained, and should only be able to drive after passing stringent background checks. Your Mount Vernon, MO bus accident attorney at Burger Law will carry out a complete investigation into the bus company's hiring practices and the person who was driving when the crash occurred.
A Bus Manufacturer
Like car and other motor vehicle manufacturers, bus manufacturers have a responsibility to confirm the safety of their vehicles and quickly announce recalls if a product is discovered to be hazardous. If they approve an inherently unsafe design or do not recall a component that they knew or should have known was not functioning properly, they are guilty of product liability. While they might try to shift the blame to somebody else, your Mount Vernon, MO bus accident attorney at Burger Law has over two decades of experience making sure at-fault parties are held accountable for their behavior.
The Mount Vernon or Missouri Government or a Public Entity
Public transportation accidents can often be calamitous because of the number of people involved and because they usually occur in densely populated areas. While you can make a claim against the Mount Vernon, MO government, there are special procedures for doing so. Missouri has sovereign immunities for governmental bodies and government employees than for the average citizen in injury liability claims. 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 essential to contact a Mount Vernon, MO bus accident attorney straight 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 wreck because of driving mistakes. If they became distracted by looking at the roadside or texting, did not stop driving when they were feeling drowsy, did not pay attention to the Mount Vernon, MO road conditions and driving laws while they were driving or made the horrible decision to drive drunk, they need to be held accountable just like bus companies sometimes have to be. When you board 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 sure that the devoted and aggressive bus accident attorney at Burger Law will make them pay.
The Other Driver
Like any type of motor vehicle accident, there are often two or more drivers, and in some instances they each may shoulder a portion of the blame. Another driver’s negligence, 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 crash where there was another driver or drivers involved, your knowledgeable and veteran Mount Vernon, 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 the type of bus accident we most commonly see in Mount Vernon and Missouri. Nationally, school bus accidents account for 40 percent of all fatal bus accidents. While often the driver, bus company or bus manufacturer is liable, a school district in Mount Vernon, MO may also be held accountable, for instance if they did not cancel school on a day when road conditions were especially bad or they did not conduct sufficient 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 Mount Vernon, MO Recover For Me?
The compensation you are awarded in a bus accident case will generally be based on the gravity of your injuries and how they have affected and will affect they have on your life. You may have gotten a mild concussion that only needed a quick trip to an emergency room in Mount Vernon, MO and a short time off work. Or, you may have received a devastating spinal cord injury that leaves you disabled and in need of special equipment for the remainder of your life. When you hire a dedicated and accomplished Mount Vernon, MO bus accident attorney at Burger Law, we will make certain that you receive a fair 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 expenses, such as hospital bills, physical therapy, assistive devices and medications
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
We work with our network of medical and economic experts to quantify the exact dollar amount you are entitled to, 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 affected your life, Burger Law's Mount Vernon, MO bus accident attorney team will fight relentlessly to ensure that you get maximum compensation for all of your damages.
Learn more about our various practice areas by clicking the links below:
Call Our Mount Vernon, MO Bus Accident Attorney Today
We have seen every category of bus accident case and know the tremendous pain and disastrous effect it can have on your and your family. Your Mount Vernon, MO bus accident attorney at Burger Law is passionate, accomplished, honest and tenacious and will use every bit of the knowledge and abilities we have acquired over the past two decades to win you the full recovery you are rightfully owed. If you or a loved one has been harmed in a bus accident, there is no time to wait. Call Burger Law immediately at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online form for a complimentary consultation.