While bus crashes are not as common as passenger car accidents, they usually cause significant injuries and property damages when they occur. These wrecks can be much more severe than crashes between other vehicles because of the buses’ sheer size and weight. If you were involved in a bus collision, the insurance agency representing the transportation company will probably contact you to discuss a settlement.
Attempting to deal directly with an insurance representative is never a good idea following a bus crash. They will likely try to settle quickly at an amount too low to cover all of your damages. An experienced Eureka bus accident lawyer could handle insurance company communication and negotiations on your behalf. If you need help with a settlement after a bus wreck, call today to schedule an appointment with a dedicated personal injury attorney at our firm.
Common Causes of Bus Wrecks in Eureka
Some of the most frequent causes of bus accidents in Missouri include:
Improper Turning and Maneuvering
Many vehicle collisions, including bus crashes, occur every year because of improper turns. Drivers must check every mirror and blind-spot and use their blinker to warn other motorists before making turns.
Improper Lane Changes
Another common cause of bus collisions is an improper lane change. If a driver does not check all blind spots and causes a crash, the court could hold them financially accountable.
Failure to Yield
Some wrecks occur because the bus driver fails to yield the right-of-way to other motorists, bicycles, or pedestrians. These accidents can be particularly hazardous and cause severe injuries to people they collide with outside of the vehicle.
Frequent Injuries Resulting from Bus Crashes
Bus passengers do not have the same protections as regular passenger car vehicles, such as seatbelts and airbags. As a result, various injuries may occur in a collision. Some of the most common include:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Facial injuries
- Neck and back injuries
To determine liability after a crash, the injured party—with the help of a skilled legal professional—will need to investigate to find the cause of the accident. A Eureka bus collision attorney could help complete a thorough investigation to determine who is the at-fault party and hold them accountable.
Common Carrier Duty of Care
Missouri state law holds common carriers that collect a fee for transportation, like buses, to the highest degree of duty of care. They must ensure they take every precaution to keep bus passengers safe while in transit.
The civil court will hold a bus driver, transportation company, or bus manufacturer liable for the slightest negligence. According to the Revised Statute of Missouri 622.53, if a common carrier commits any unlawful act that causes injuries, the transportation company or bus driver is liable for damages. A bus crash lawyer in Eureka could review the evidence to determine if the driver exercised the duty of care required by state law.
Contact a Skilled Eureka Bus Accident Attorney
Travel by bus or other forms of public transportation is typically among the safest forms of travel. People all around the world use them daily to commute to work and other destinations. However, when collisions occur, the damages can be catastrophic. If the careless actions of a bus driver or another related party caused a crash, you may be eligible to collect compensation.
Contact a Eureka bus accident lawyer if another person’s negligent conduct caused an avoidable accident. A seasoned legal professional could handle insurance company communication and help file a civil claim for damages.
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