St. Louis bus accident lawyer

St. Louis Bus Accident Lawyer


TorHoerman Law Helps Those Injured in a St. Louis Bus or MetroLink Accident.

Did You Know About 63,000 Buses Per Year Are Involved in Accidents?

Many people in the St. Louis area, including adults and children alike, rely on public transportation to get around the city. But, what happens when a bus, train, or MetroLink is involved and injuries, or maybe even deaths, occur?

These types of accidents can be frightening, not only because of the amount of trust St. Louis City residents put into public transportation to get from one place to another, but because the accidents are often catastrophic due to the sheer weight and size of the vehicles and the number of injuries that are likely to occur.

Were you a passenger of a St. Louis public transportation vehicle that was involved in an accident? Did you suffer injuries due to the accident? Contact TorHoerman Law St. Louis personal injury lawyers today to find out if you are eligible to receive compensation for the injuries.

 

What Qualifies as a St. Louis Public Transportation Accident?

Common St. Louis public transportation accidents include, but are not limited to:

  • Automobile collisions or truck accidents on a St. Louis public bus;
  • Slip and fall accidents on St. Louis public bus; or
  • Collision with another train or vehicle on the MetroLink train; or
  • Slip and fall accidents on a MetroLink train; or
  • Accidents with school buses.

 

What Kinds of Injuries Happen in Public Transportation Accidents?

Public transportation or bus accidents can be deadly because of the size and weight of the vehicles and the number of individuals involved, too. Common injuries are, but not limited to:

  • Whiplash
  • Broken bones
  • Bruises
  • Lacerations
  • Head injuries
  • Death

 

What Can Cause a Bus or MetroLink Accident?

  1. Bus driver or MetroLink train operator error – Falling asleep at the wheel, running into parked cars, failing to fully stop when picking up or dropping off passengers, or speeding can lead to a bus or MetroLink accident.
  2. Other motorist error – There are many motorists on the road and error on their part can potentially cause bus or car accidents. Things such as failing to stay in the proper lane, running red lights or stop signs, or failing to give buses enough space to let passengers off can all contribute to a collision.
  3. Bus or MetroLink defects – A defect in the vehicle or failing to properly maintain the vehicle can lead to a bus crashes, especially considering buses and MetroLink trains are often driven for many miles and long periods of time. The manufacturer of the bus, the owner of the bus, the bus company, or even the mechanic can be held liable for accidents caused by defects or failure to maintain.
  4. Bus or MetroLink company’s negligence – The company that owns and maintains the bus owes a duty of care to its passengers. Failure to do so can not only cause an accident but render them responsible.
  5. St. Louis City’s negligence – The same as above applies to the City of St. Louis. Because public transportation is just that, public, the City is responsible for the integrity and safety of all of its vehicles.

You may be wondering, “Is it possible that multiple individuals or companies could be at fault for the accident?” The answer to the question is yes.

Example: An accident has occurred and there are multiple injuries. Not only are riders of the bus injured in the accident, but the driver of the other vehicle was injured, too. After an investigation, it appears that the driver of the other vehicle ran a red light, but the brakes of the bus also weren’t working properly and the bus was not able to stop in time to avoid hitting the other car. In this case, the driver of the other vehicle will be partially at fault because of his or her lack of attention, but the bus company also failed to properly inspect the brakes and ensure they were working properly, causing them to be at fault as well.

While this is only one example, there are many instances where multiple parties can be held responsible for an accident. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision simply because you want an experienced St. Louis bus accident lawyer handling your case, including the investigation, or evidence collecting, phase where multiple defendants may be named. Keep in mind, choosing a bus or auto accident lawyer should not be based solely upon advertisements, but instead based upon your own research.

 

Why Should I Hire a TorHoerman Law St. Louis Bus Accident Lawyer?

After a public transportation accident, the last thing on your mind is hiring a St. Louis personal injury attorney but it is something you should do immediately. Our goal is to take the stress off your shoulders and give you the time to recover while we concentrate on getting you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

To learn more about the TorHoerman Law bus accident attorneys and our expertise in the field, we offer free, no-obligation St. Louis public transportation and bus accident consultations.

Have questions or need legal advice? Contact TorHoerman Law Firm to speak with an experienced St. Louis bus accident lawyer today.

 

For additional information, see the following pages:

For additional practice areas in St. Louis, MO, see the following pages:

References

"Title XXXV CIVIL PROCEDURE AND LIMITATIONS." Missouri Revisor of Statutes - Revised Statutes of Missouri, RSMo, Missouri Law, MO Law, Missouri Legislature, revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=516.120&bid=27834.

Whibey, John. "Bus Crashes in the United States: What Does the Research Say?" Journalist's Resource, Harvard Kennedy School Shorenstein Center and Carnegie-Knight Initiative, 29 Feb. 2016, journalistsresource.org/studies/environment/transportation/bus-crashes-united-states-what-does-research-say/.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Will the driver of my bus be held responsible if he was texting while driving?

A. While we want to end distracted driving, it is only illegal for drivers under the age of 21 to use a handheld device while driving, but there are a few exceptions. Drivers of commercial vehicles and emergency vehicles cannot use their cell-phones at any time. If an accident was caused by a lack of attention due to a bus driver texting, they can be held responsible for the accident.

Q. How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Missouri?

A. In Missouri, you have five years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. If you fail to file a lawsuit in this time period, you may not be able to receive any compensation at all for your injuries. However, there is one exception. If the accident resulted in a death, the deceased individual's family has three years from the time of death to file a lawsuit.

Q. What if someone from the bus company called me before I was able to speak with a lawyer?

A. In this situation, it is important NOT to give a statement to the company. Anything you say can be used later on in a lawsuit. Your next step should be to contact a lawyer who can then speak to the bus company on your behalf.

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