Cape Girardeau Bus Accident Lawyers

Charter buses, school buses, Greyhound buses – these are only a few of the buses you may see on Cape Girardeau interstates and roads. If you have been injured in a bus accident, it can be difficult to determine who should be responsible for your injuries and losses. You may have a claim against the bus driver, the bus owner, the driver of another vehicle, or the owner of that vehicle. You may be able to seek compensation for your vehicle repair costs, medical bills, lost wages, lost future earnings, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium.

If the driver of another vehicle caused the accident, his or her liability insurance coverage should be responsible for compensating you for your losses. All Missouri motorists are required by law to carry liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 per accident for property damage. Unfortunately, many drivers across the state disregard the law and drive uninsured on a daily basis. If the at-fault driver happens to be uninsured, then you should be able to pursue an uninsured motorist claim with your own insurance carrier. Underinsured motorist coverage may come into play, depending on the number of individuals asserting claims.

If the bus driver was at fault for the accident, a bus accident lawyer in Cape Girardeau can help you pursue a claim against the individual bus driver for his or her negligence. You can usually pursue any insurance the owner carries on the bus as well. In many cases, the owner of the bus will be the driver’s employer. In that situation, the employer may be vicariously liable for any injuries caused by the negligent bus driver if the bus driver was acting within the course and scope of his or her employment at the time of the accident. If the bus driver was not properly trained, you may be able to pursue the employer directly for your losses. If the accident was caused by mechanical problems or inadequate maintenance of the bus, you may be able to pursue a claim directly against the bus owner as well.

In Missouri, the statute of limitation for most personal injury actions is five years. This means you must either settle your bodily injury claim or file a lawsuit within that period of time, or your claim will be time-barred and your right to recover will be lost. Since the at-fault party in a bus accident will vary depending on how the collision occurred, and since there are situations in which more than one party may be responsible for your losses, it is important to act immediately and contact a bus accident attorney in the Cape Girardeau area as soon as possible following the collision. Your lawyer will want to promptly begin investigating and building your case. Evidence may be lost or destroyed over time, and the memories of eyewitnesses can fade. A knowledgeable attorney can act quickly to protect your legal rights and interests.