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Bus drivers owe a high duty of care to those they are transporting and others around them. If they act in a reckless or careless manner, they could cause devastating collisions resulting in substantial harm and property damage.

If you or a loved one was harmed in a wreck involving a common carrier vehicle, you should consider speaking with a St. Louis bus accident lawyer. A hardworking injury attorney could review your case, gather important evidence, and help you hold the responsible party liable for your damages.

Common Factors in Common Carrier Accidents

Plaintiffs in a bus accident case may be either passengers on the vehicle when the accident occurs, or they may have been struck by the vehicle due to driver negligence. In either case, if they suffer injuries in the wreck, they could be owed financial compensation.

Accidents on buses could also be the result of poor maintenance of faulty parts on the vehicle. For instance, should a passenger slip and fall on the bus due to the driver failing to clean a spill, the passenger could potentially have a claim for damages. If the bus’s brakes were defective, resulting in a rear-end collision, then the injured motorist could potentially have a claim against the mechanic of the common carrier.

Determining the exact cause of the bus crash is vital to successfully recovering damages. As such, people in the area injured in common carrier accidents often find it beneficial to work with an experienced lawyer.

Proving Liability for a Bus Wreck

Determining liability in a bus crash case can be difficult as there may be multiple liable parties involved. Depending on the facts of the situation, defendants can include:

  • The bus driver
  • Another offending driver
  • The bus company
  • A government entity
  • The vehicle manufacturer

In order for a claimant to recover damages from the defendant, they must establish the four elements of negligence. The first being that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care, such as a bus operator’s responsibility to prevent harm to passengers and other motorists. The plaintiff must then prove that the defendant breached that duty, such as by being distracted, failing to repair a broken part, or hiring an irresponsible driver.

The plaintiff and their St. Louis attorney must then prove that this breach of duty directly resulted in the bus accident. Lastly, the accident must have caused the plaintiff compensable damages.

Recoverable Damages in Missouri

Should a plaintiff and their local lawyer successfully prove the defendant is liable for the bus wreck, they must then provide evidence of the injured party’s total losses. Damages can account for both the financial and personal losses suffered in the common carrier collision.

Economic damages can include the plaintiff’s medical expenses, lost wages, decreased earning capacity, and any other costs associated with the accident. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, consider the physical and emotional impact of the accident. These damages can compensate a claimant for their pain and suffering, emotional anguish, loss of consortium, and decreased quality of life.

Call a St. Louis Bus Accident Attorney Right Away

If you or a loved one were hurt in a collision with a common carrier vehicle, do not hesitate to seek legal guidance. Determining the correct liable party and holding them financially accountable could be difficult without representation from a skilled attorney. Call our office today to schedule a consultation with a bus accident lawyer.