Were you or someone you love injured in a collision with a bus? Collisions involving both public and private buses alike can cause major injuries simply because of their size and weight. Additionally, passengers are often unrestrained or standing upon impact.
The aftermath of an incident like this can be disorienting and overwhelming, not to mention traumatic. We wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve been dealing with a lot of stress as a result of the crash, but you deserve accountability. A Gladstone personal injury lawyer can help with that.
At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers, we believe in Your Injury. Our Fight. With over 45 years of combined legal experience, we’re here to represent you as your bus accident lawyer in Gladstone.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
The causes of bus accidents vary by case. That said, they often stem from human errors, mechanical failures, or environmental conditions, if not a combination of all three. In the state of Missouri, these are examples of frequently reported causes of bus-related collisions:
- Driver fatigue: Bus drivers, especially those who have long-distance routes, may be operating under tight schedules. Fatigue impairs judgment and reaction time, increasing the risk of collisions.
- Driver distraction: Texting, adjusting controls, or talking to passengers can divert a bus driver’s attention away from the road.
- Speeding and aggressive driving: In some cases, drivers exceed speed limits or drive too aggressively in an attempt to maintain schedules and uphold expectations. This is especially dangerous given the size and stopping distance of buses.
- Improper maintenance: Buses must be inspected and maintained regularly. Failure to replace worn tires, faulty brakes, or broken lights can lead to mechanical failure on the road.
- Poor weather conditions: Rain, snow, and ice can all increase the risk of buses skidding or losing control, particularly on hills and curves.
- Other negligent drivers: Not all bus crashes are caused by the bus driver. In some cases, the actions of other motorists—such as making unsafe lane changes or running red lights—can cause bus-related collisions.
Accident reports in Missouri often cite multiple contributing factors, especially in multi-vehicle bus crashes where chain reactions are common.
Missouri Laws and Regulations Governing Bus Safety
Buses in Missouri must adhere to both state and federal safety laws, though the specifics of these depend on the type of services each bus provides.
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) oversees intrastate commercial vehicles, while the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets nationwide regulations for interstate carriers. These are regulatory requirements worth noting:
- Driver licensing: All bus drivers must hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with a passenger endorsement. Missouri law RSMo § 302.272 outlines the training and testing required.
- Hours of service limits: Drivers are subject to restrictions on how long they can operate a vehicle before taking mandatory rest breaks. These are designed to prevent fatigue-related crashes.
- Vehicle inspections: Buses must undergo regular inspections for mechanical safety. School buses, in particular, are subject to annual state inspections under RSMo § 307.375.
- Background checks: School bus drivers must pass criminal background and driving history checks before transporting children.
- Seat belt laws: While Missouri requires seat belts in passenger vehicles, school buses and transit buses are not always equipped with belts. However, recent legislation has aimed to increase seat belt use in certain types of buses, particularly newer school buses.
Violation of these laws can indicate negligence or liability in the event of a crash. Your Gladstone bus accident attorneys can look at the specifics of your case and determine if any of these laws or regulations were violated prior to the collision that left you injured.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Liability in Missouri Bus Accidents
Determining fault in a bus crash depends on several factors, including the cause of the accident, the parties involved, and the ownership of the bus. Furthermore, Missouri is a pure comparative fault state, as defined under RSMo § 537.765.
This means that each party involved in an accident is assigned a percentage of fault. Even if a person is partially responsible for the crash, they can still recover damages proportionate to the other party’s level of fault. These are examples of parties that could bear liability in a bus-related crash:
- Bus driver: If the driver acted negligently by speeding, running a red light, or driving while distracted, they may be found at fault.
- Bus company: Under respondeat superior, employers are often held liable for the actions of their employees when those actions occur within the scope of employment.
- School district or public transit authority: Government agencies may be liable for crashes involving school or city buses. Claims against public entities in Missouri must comply with the Missouri Sovereign Immunity Doctrine and the Missouri Tort Claims Act, which impose additional procedures and damages caps.
- Maintenance providers: If improper repair work or failure to maintain the bus contributed to the crash, a third-party contractor may be liable.
- Manufacturers: In cases involving defective brakes, steering, or other vehicle components, product liability laws may come into play.
- Other motorists: When another driver’s actions led to the crash, such as a head-on collision or a rear-end crash with a bus, that person may be held responsible.
Because multiple parties are often involved, investigations are typically thorough. This may entail consulting accident reconstruction professionals, reviewing dashcam footage, and analyzing driver logs or maintenance records.
Contact Our Bus Accident Lawyers in Gladstone For Legal Advice and Representation Today
If you or a loved one was injured in a bus-related crash, you’re likely facing a long road to recovery—not only physically and emotionally but financially, too. While this type of collision can upend your life in an instant, you don’t have to go through it all alone.
At Foster Wallace, we have recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for our clients, and we believe that you deserve answers and accountability, too. Whether the crash involved a city bus, school-related buses, or a charter vehicle, the responsible parties should be held liable for the harm you’ve suffered as a result of their actions or lack thereof.
The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner you can start taking the necessary steps toward justice. Contact our Gladstone bus accident attorneys today to initiate the process of securing the support and compensation you need during such a stressful time. We’re here for you.
