Have you been injured in a bus-related collision? Unfortunately, accidents of this nature can result in serious injuries because of the sheer size and force of the bus involved. As a result, the aftermath of these crashes often leaves victims feeling lost, confused, and overwhelmed.
However, you don’t have to deal with everything by yourself. Instead, let a Blue Springs personal injury lawyer represent you and advocate for your rights as the victim of a bus collision. At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re here to help you understand your options.
With 45 years of combined experience, our attorneys have recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for victims in personal injury cases. We’re the ones to call when you need a bus accident lawyer in Blue Springs by your side.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Like other vehicle collisions, bus crashes can result from a wide range of contributing factors. Let’s take a look at examples of situations that can lead to bus-related crashes:
- Driver error: This might include speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, failure to yield, or driving under the influence.
- Mechanical failure: Worn-out brakes, tire blowouts, engine failure, or poor maintenance can all lead to a serious crash.
- Poor weather or road conditions: Icy roads, heavy rain, or construction zones are common challenges, especially on highways connecting Blue Springs to other parts of the Kansas City metro area.
- Negligent hiring or training: Inadequate background checks, poor driver training, or overworking drivers may point to employer negligence.
- Overcrowding or unsafe loading: Exceeding passenger limits or improperly securing luggage and equipment can create hazards during a crash or rollover.
- Failure to follow traffic laws: Buses that run red lights, fail to stop at railroad crossings, or ignore right-of-way rules can create significant danger.
Injuries and Medical Consequences
Injuries from bus accidents can be severe, especially because passengers may not have seatbelts. Plus, buses are such large and heavy vehicles that they can cause extensive damage in a collision, regardless of any safety measures you put in place.
Victims might include passengers on the bus, people in other vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians. No matter who specifically gets hurt, these are common injuries in bus-related collisions:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Broken bones and orthopedic injuries
- Lacerations, bruising, and facial trauma
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Psychological trauma, including PTSD
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Claim Process and Time Limits
If you were injured in a bus accident in Blue Springs, the path to recovering damages starts with filing a claim. But Missouri law places strict limits on how long you have to take legal action. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations.
For the majority of personal injury cases, you have five years from the date of the incident to file a claim or pursue a lawsuit. When you retain bus accident lawyers in Blue Springs, your legal counsel will make sure you file the proper paperwork on time.
However, if a public entity operates the bus, you may need to file a formal notice of claim within a much shorter window—often 90 days to one year, depending on the agency. Failing to meet these deadlines can result in the loss of your right to seek compensation altogether.
Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled to
Bus accident victims in Missouri may be eligible to recover a wide range of damages. It all depends on the circumstances of the crash and the severity of their injuries. Your bus accident attorney in Blue Springs can help you prove the extent of your injuries.
In the meantime, these are examples of what compensation can include:
- Medical expenses: This includes past and future costs for hospitalization, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and other medical treatments.
- Lost wages: If the injury caused you to miss work or limited your earning capacity, those losses can be part of your claim.
- Pain and suffering: This includes both physical pain and emotional distress caused by the crash as well as the recovery process.
- Property damage: If your vehicle, bicycle, or other personal property was damaged in the accident, you may be eligible for compensation.
- Wrongful death damages: If someone dies in a bus crash, their surviving family members might be allowed to pursue damages for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and lost future earnings.
In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded if the at-fault party acted with extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct. Your Blue Springs bus accident attorneys can help you understand which forms of compensation are likely based on the details of your case.
Contact Our Bus Accident Law Firm in Blue Springs for Help with Your Personal Injury Case
If you or someone you love was injured in a bus accident, you don’t have to go through the justice system on your own. At Foster Wallace, we know that legal jargon can be hard to understand, especially when you’re in physical pain and facing mental turmoil after the crash.
But that’s what we’re here for—let our bus accident attorneys in Blue Springs advocate for your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. We understand the challenges you’re facing, and we are committed to being by your side every step of the way.
