Bus accidents can be devastating. If you’ve been injured in a bus accident that wasn’t your fault, a Kansas City personal injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation.
The process of recovering from a bus accident can be overwhelming. During such a difficult time, you may not have the bandwidth to navigate the legal process alone.
Since 2019, Foster Wallace has recovered over $1 billion for clients like you. If you’ve been hurt in a bus accident, a Kansas City bus accident lawyer can help you file a claim and pursue the damages you’re entitled to.
How Can a Bus Accident Lawyer Help Me?
If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, a skilled lawyer can do the following:
- Investigate the accident: An attorney can gather evidence, interview witnesses, and analyze accident reports to determine liability.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Insurers often try to minimize payouts. A lawyer can advocate on your behalf to secure fair compensation.
- File a claim: An attorney can file a lawsuit against the responsible parties.
- Calculating damages: A lawyer can assess the full extent of your losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Represent you in court: If a fair settlement can’t be reached, a lawyer can defend your rights and fight for fair compensation in court.
Most importantly, a bus accident lawyer in Kansas City can provide peace of mind while you recover from the accident.
What Types of Compensation Can You Recover in a Bus Accident Case?
Victims of bus accidents may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including:
- Medical expenses: You can be compensated for hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment.
- Lost wages: You can be reimbursed for income lost due to injury-related absences from work.
- Pain and suffering: You can receive damages for physical pain and emotional distress.
- Property damage: You can be reimbursed for repairing or replacing damaged personal belongings.
- Wrongful death damages: If the accident resulted in a fatality, you may seek funeral expenses and loss of companionship damages.
An experienced bus accident attorney in Kansas City can calculate your damages and pursue the maximum compensation possible.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
How Much Compensation Can You Get from a Bus Accident?
Every case is unique. Settlements for bus accident victims can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars. Factors that can affect the value of a settlement include the severity of the victim’s injuries, their medical costs, their lost income and future earning potential, and the degree of negligence attributed to the at-fault party.
A Kansas City bus accident attorney can provide an estimate based on your situation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bus Accident Lawsuit in Missouri?
In Missouri, you generally have five years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If the accident resulted in a fatality, you have three years to file a wrongful death claim. If the claim involves a government entity, such as a city bus system, the statute of limitations may be shorter.
An experienced attorney can ensure you file your claim on time.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Bus Accident?
Liability in a bus accident case can involve multiple parties, including:
- Bus driver: A bus driver can be held liable if their negligence directly caused the accident.
- Bus company: The bus company may be responsible if improper training, vehicle maintenance failures, or overworked drivers contributed to the crash.
- Government agencies: If the bus is part of a public transportation system, the city or state agency overseeing operations could be held accountable for negligence.
- Other drivers: Another driver may be liable if their reckless or careless driving led to the accident.
- Manufacturers: If a defect in the bus, such as faulty brakes or steering mechanisms, caused the crash, the manufacturer may be held responsible.
An experienced lawyer can determine all liable parties and pursue damages.
Steps to Take After a Bus Accident
By taking the proper steps after a bus accident, you can protect your legal rights and improve your odds of securing compensation. Those steps are:
- Call the police: A police report will help establish fault and serve as important documentation for your case.
- Gather evidence: Take photos of the accident scene, injuries, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible signs related to the crash.
- Collect contact information: Get details from witnesses, drivers, passengers, and responding officers. Their statements could be important to your claim.
- Report the accident to the bus company: If a commercial or public transit bus was involved, notify the company about the incident as soon as possible.
- Avoid discussing fault: Refrain from admitting liability or making statements to insurers without legal advice, as they may use your words against you.
- Seek medical attention: Even if you feel fine, some injuries may not be immediately apparent. A medical evaluation will also ensure proper documentation of your injuries.
- Keep track of medical records and expenses: Keep all of the documents related to your post-accident medical treatment, prescriptions, therapy, and rehabilitation costs.
- Document your recovery process: Keep a journal detailing your physical pain, emotional distress, and any difficulties performing daily activities.
- Consult a bus accident lawyer: An attorney can guide you through the claims process, handle negotiations, and protect your rights.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Bus accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Driver fatigue: Long hours on the road can impair bus drivers’ judgment and reaction times.
- Distracted driving: Phone use and other distractions can lead to crashes.
- Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit increases the risk of accidents.
- Mechanical failures: Poor bus maintenance can lead to brake failures or tire blowouts.
- Poor road conditions: Potholes, icy roads, and construction zones can contribute to accidents.
- Reckless driving by other motorists: Other drivers may cut off or collide with buses.
Common Bus Accident Injuries
Bus accidents often result in severe injuries due to the size and weight of buses. Common injuries include:
- Head and brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Internal injuries
If you’ve sustained any of these injuries in a bus crash, a lawyer can help you pursue damages.
Contact a Kansas City Bus Accident Attorney Today
A bus accident can cause serious injuries and expensive property damage, not to mention emotional trauma. But you don’t have to go through this difficult time alone.
At Foster Wallace, our team is committed to helping bus accident victims secure the compensation they need to move forward. If you’ve been injured due to another driver’s negligence, a Kansas City bus accident attorney can help you pursue justice.
It may be your injury, but it’s our fight. Schedule a free consultation today so we can begin building a case on your behalf.
