According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Statistical Analysis Center, over 340 people were injured by school bus crashes in 2022 alone. Tour buses, public transit buses, and similar vehicles also crash each year in Missouri – contributing to many more serious injuries. If you have been involved in a bus accident, you are already well aware of just how dangerous these vehicles can be. Instead of bus accident statistics, you might be more concerned with other numbers – such as the cost of your medical bills and missed wages. You might also be struggling with emotional distress, PTSD, disfigurement, and a range of other non-economic damages.
A consultation with a bus accident lawyer can help you determine the most appropriate course of action, and it may be possible to recover compensation for all of your various damages. To learn more, reach out to Tom Wilmowski, Injury Attorney today.
Causes of Bus Accidents
Each bus accident is slightly different, and the root cause of each incident might be difficult to determine. Determining the cause of your bus accident might be very important, however, as Missouri is an “at-fault” state. In other words, you must establish that someone else’s negligence caused your bus accident if you want to pursue compensation. Here are a few common causes of bus accidents in Missouri:
Bus Driver Distraction
Driving a bus can become quite monotonous, and drivers often struggle with boredom. They may attempt to address this boredom with distractions, such as phones, books, food, or even conversations with passengers. As soon as a bus driver takes their eyes off the road, this constitutes distracted driving. A few seconds of distraction is all it takes to spark an accident.
Fortunately, video footage from inside the bus often helps establish when and how bus drivers become distracted. If you believe your bus driver was distracted moments before the crash, you can request access to this footage during the pre-trial discovery phase. This evidence could help you establish negligence and pursue fair compensation for your injuries.
Bus Driver Intoxication
As unthinkable as it might seem, some bus drivers are intoxicated behind the wheel. This is especially common in low-paying bus-driving jobs, as hiring processes may be questionable for these positions. There have been documented cases of drunk school bus drivers crashing vehicles filled with small children. Other so-called “professional drivers” may also engage in this unforgivable behavior. Due to the widespread availability of marijuana, bus drivers are now more likely to consume cannabis before driving. Prescription drug use is also quite common among bus drivers, and even legal varieties may cause a range of impairing side effects.
Poor Hiring Processes
Although bus drivers are clearly to blame for serious recklessness, intoxication, and distraction, their employers may also shoulder some liability for crashes. Often, bus companies hire extremely questionable candidates – overlooking red flags such as DUIs, criminal records, advanced age, and even partial blindness. Some companies have hired bus drivers who lack valid licenses.
This issue is especially prevalent across Missouri’s various school boards, as it is notoriously difficult to find qualified school bus drivers. Simply put, there are much higher-paying commercial driving jobs out there. A nationwide trucker shortage allows even relatively inexperienced candidates to earn excellent salaries while driving for trucking companies, and even delivery drivers can earn over six figures in the modern era. Those who cannot secure these high-paying positions are usually impeded by some kind of issue – including questionable driving records, advanced age, or disability. With no other option, school boards and other bus companies look the other way and hire these individuals – thereby putting passengers at risk.
Poor Hiring Processes
Although bus drivers are clearly to blame for serious recklessness, intoxication, and distraction, their employers may also shoulder some liability for crashes. Often, bus companies hire extremely questionable candidates – overlooking red flags such as DUIs, criminal records, advanced age, and even partial blindness. Some companies have hired bus drivers who lack valid licenses.
This issue is especially prevalent across Missouri’s various school boards, as it is notoriously difficult to find qualified school bus drivers. Simply put, there are much higher-paying commercial driving jobs out there. A nationwide trucker shortage allows even relatively inexperienced candidates to earn excellent salaries while driving for trucking companies, and even delivery drivers can earn over six figures in the modern era. Those who cannot secure these high-paying positions are usually impeded by some kind of issue – including questionable driving records, advanced age, or disability. With no other option, school boards and other bus companies look the other way and hire these individuals – thereby putting passengers at risk.
Other Negligent Drivers
Of course, your bus accident may have had nothing to do with the bus itself, but rather another negligent driver in Missouri. For example, a reckless drunk driver might have veered into your lane – causing the bus driver to slam on the brakes and lose control. A negligent trucker might have run a red light before colliding with your bus. A particularly common scenario involves drivers cutting into “bus only” lanes – a blatant traffic violation in Missouri.
Types of Passenger Bus Accidents
Bus accidents may occur in many different ways. Even a slow-velocity accident has the potential to cause catastrophic injuries due to the unique characteristics of buses.
Rollover Crashes
A rollover bus crash has the potential to cause dozens of serious or fatal injuries. Many buses are fairly top-heavy, which makes a rollover crash relatively likely. The vast majority of buses also have no seatbelts or restraints of any kind, and this may send passengers tumbling through the air in the event of a rollover crash. Resulting injuries can easily be catastrophic or fatal – especially at high speeds. In addition, it may be difficult for survivors to climb out of wrecked buses that have rolled over, and those stuck inside may face secondary threats from explosions, fires, and subsequent impacts.
Chain-Reaction Crashes
Chain-reaction crashes are relatively common on highways and congested roads. These multi-vehicle accidents typically begin with rear-end collisions that subsequently “domino” into other cars. Bus passengers may be thrown forward by these collisions, and the risk of cranial or spinal cord injuries is high. Even after the initial collision, more vehicles may “pile in” to the wreckage, causing secondary and tertiary impacts. These repeated collisions can cause additional injuries to victims – including those knocked unconscious or trapped within wreckage.
Intersection Collisions
A wide range of potential bus accidents occur at intersections. A particularly dangerous example is a “T-bone” collision. A collision of this nature strikes the bus at its side, where passengers are most vulnerable. While a smaller vehicle may not cause excessive damage, a pickup or semi-truck can smash straight through the side of a bus – causing dozens of potential injuries. Buses may spend more time in intersections compared to other vehicles due to their cumbersome maneuverability – increasing the risk of collisions. Rear-end accidents and head-on collisions are also common in intersections.
Single-Vehicle Bus Accidents
A single-vehicle bus accident does not involve any other car. For example, a bus might simply veer off the side of a highway before hitting a ditch and rolling over. An impact with a utility pole, tree, or concrete barrier can easily cause catastrophic injuries for passengers. Mechanical failures, distractions, or confusing signage can cause these types of bus accidents.
Rear-End Bus Accidents
A bus might strike the rear of another vehicle, or it might be struck from behind. Both types of rear-end accidents can cause serious injuries to passengers. If your vehicle was struck from behind by a bus, you might have suffered severe whiplash, cranial fractures, or spinal cord injuries. If you were inside the bus when it struck the rear of another vehicle, you might have been thrown forward without any restraints to stop you. These accidents may be caused by brake failures, distractions, intoxication, and illegally parked vehicles.
Common Injuries from Bus Accidents
Bus accidents can lead to a wide range of common injuries. Even moderate injuries can lead to weeks of missed wages and expensive medical bills. Serious injuries may cause a lifetime of lost income, ongoing treatment for disabilities, and various non-economic damages. Bus accidents can also cause fatal injuries, robbing families of their loved ones and vital sources of income. Here are a few examples of common bus injuries:
- Traumatic Head Injuries
- Fractures
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Internal Organ Injuries
- Burns
- Sprains and Strains
- Fatal Injuries
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Who Is Liable for Bus Accidents?
A plaintiff might hold a range of parties liable for their bus accident. Each accident is slightly different, and you might need to speak with your bus accident lawyer to determine who to sue.
Private Bus Companies
You can hold a private bus company liable for your injuries. Examples include tour bus companies, charter bus companies, shuttle bus services, and so on. Fortunately, these companies typically carry comprehensive insurance coverage for crashes, and their insurance policies should cover all related losses. These include medical expenses, missed wages, emotional distress, funeral costs, and so on.
Negligent Drivers
If your bus accident was caused by a negligent driver, you may hold them liable through a normal personal injury claim. Drivers in Missouri are legally required to carry liability insurance, and you can pursue a settlement by filing a lawsuit directly against a reckless, intoxicated, distracted, or otherwise negligent motorist.
Commercial Driving Companies
If your bus accident was caused by a commercial driver, you may hold their company or employer liable for your injuries. For example, your bus may have been struck by an Amazon delivery van, a semi-truck, a dump truck, or even another bus. Filing a claim against a company of this nature should be easy, as they are required to carry special commercial driving insurance for accidents.
Government Agencies
If you were injured while riding a public transit bus in Missouri, you may hold various government agencies liable for your injuries. For example, the Metropolitan St. Louis Transit Agency operates services such as MetroBus, MetroLink, and Call-A-Ride.
Contact a Bus Accident Lawyer in St. Louis Today
While learning about bus accident lawsuits is a positive first step, an online article cannot provide you with compensation. To proceed with legal action in an efficient manner, consider contacting a qualified, experienced bus accident lawyer in St. Louis. Each bus accident is slightly different, and a legal professional can provide targeted guidance based on your unique circumstances. During an initial consultation, you might discuss who is liable, what damages to claim, and the long-term effects of your injuries. From there, you can work alongside your lawyer to gather evidence, negotiate for a settlement, and pursue litigation if necessary.
To begin this process, book a consultation with Tom Wilmowski, Injury Attorney today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Numerous frequently asked questions tend to arise after bus accidents. Here are a few common concerns that you might need to address:
How can I protect myself after a bus accident?
Your first priority after a bus accident should be immediate, effective medical treatment. This not only ensures positive health outcomes, but it also provides a degree of legal protection. By seeking medical treatment, you will create medical records that help prove the existence of your injuries.
What to do if I was injured on a city bus?
If you were injured on a city bus, such as a Bi-State bus, you should take careful note of the bus number, the route, and the circumstances of the accident. From there, you should file an official report through the government agency that operates the bus service. Your bus accident attorney can help with many of these steps as you pursue compensation for your injuries.
What should I do after I have been in a bus accident?
After getting into a bus accident, consider taking a few basic steps before first responders arrive. If you are physically able, take out your phone and snap a few photographs of the wreckage, your injuries, and anything else that you feel is important. Next, try to obtain contact information from witnesses and fellow passengers.
Who could be liable in a bus accident case?
Numerous parties could be liable in a bus accident case. The most obvious defendant is the bus driver, but you can also hold the bus company or service liable. In addition, you can hold negligent motorists, reckless truckers, and anyone else who caused the crash accountable. Finally, you could file a product liability claim if the bus accident was caused by some kind of manufacturing defect.
How long do I have to file a bus crash claim
In Missouri, there is a five-year statute of limitations for more personal injury lawsuits – including many bus accident cases. However, there might be slightly different time limits and rules if you are suing a government agency, such as a public bus service funded by a municipality.
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