St. Louis Bus Accident Lawyers – Free Case Review
Whether it is on city buses, school buses or charter buses, anytime we step on a bus, we put our trust in the driver, bus company and other passengers to ensure that everyone on board is safe.
Unfortunately, bus accidents do occur and they can cause serious injuries or death. If you or a loved one have recently been involved in a St. Louis bus accident, it is important to understand your legal rights to seek financial compensation for any harm suffered as a result of another party’s negligence.
At Niemeyer, Grebel and Kruse, we are here to help if you were injured due to someone else’s carelessness while riding on a St. Louis bus. Our bus accident lawyers will review the details of your case and work diligently with you every step of the way to secure maximum financial compensation for your injuries. Call today for a free case evaluation – (314) 350-1900.
How a personal injury attorney can help you after your bus accident
Suffering an injury in a bus crash can kick off an overwhelming series of events. After initially seeking medical attention for your injuries, you may be dealing with rehab appointments, medical bills, lost time from work and stress spilling over into your personal life.
A skilled personal injury lawyer will work tirelessly to recover every penny owed to you under Missouri law, allowing you to focus on healing up and getting on with your life. When you hire Niemeyer, Grebel and Kruse as your legal team, we will:
- Investigate the details of your case to identify all liable parties
- Collect evidence such as police reports, photographs, witness statements and medical records
- Gather proof of lost wages and other damages due to your injuries
- Negotiate with insurance companies for maximum compensation
- File a lawsuit if necessary to secure the compensation you deserve
We understand that this is an incredibly difficult time, which is why we treat each case as if it were our own. Our bus accident lawyers are dedicated to helping you get back on your feet after an accident caused by someone else’s negligence.
Causes of bus accidents in St. Louis
Bus accidents can occur for many different reasons, including:
- Driver negligence – fatigue, texting while driving, speeding, failure to obey traffic laws by either the bus driver or another driver
- Driver inexperience – inadequate training or lack of qualifications
- Inadequate bus maintenance – worn tires, worn brakes, defective steering systems
- Hazardous road conditions – potholes, uneven surfaces and poor visibility.
No matter the cause, if you have been injured in a bus accident due to someone else’s negligence, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you pursue a claim for compensation.
Who can be held liable after a bus accident?
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, liable parties may include:
- Bus drivers
- Other drivers
- The bus company
- Government entities or third parties
Missouri is an at-fault state for automobile accidents. This means that the responsible party is liable for damages stemming from the accident, and multiple parties can be found at-fault.
For example, if the bus driver and another motorist were both found to be negligent in causing an accident, they may both be held liable for a proportion of the damages.
How can I prove that another party was negligent after a bus accident?
In order to prove negligence in a bus accident case, you must establish that:
- The defendant (the party against whom you are filing the claim) owed you a duty of care. A duty of care is a legal obligation to act reasonably and with caution in order to avoid causing harm.
- The defendant breached their duty of care by acting negligently or recklessly
- The breach of duties caused your injury or damages
- You suffered harm as a result of the breach.
There are many different forms of evidence that you can use to prove that the other party was negligent. This includes witness testimony, police reports, photographs and medical records.
Compensation available to bus accident victims
Missouri law allows for bus accident victims to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.
- Economic damages – These damages are awarded to compensate you for the monetary losses associated with your injury. This includes lost wages, medical bills and property damage.
- Non-economic damages – These damages are awarded to compensate you for the emotional and physical losses associated with your injury. This includes pain and suffering, disfigurement and loss of consortium (loss of companionship).
There is no cap to the amount of compensation you can receive in Missouri.
What is the statute of limitations for filing a bus accident claim?
A statute of limitations is a law that sets a time limit on how long you have to file a lawsuit. In the state of Missouri, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is five years. This means that you must bring your claim within five years from the date of the accident or else you may be barred from receiving any compensation.
Five years can seem like a long time, but the sooner you take action, the better. If you wait too long to file your claim, it could become harder to gather evidence or find witnesses that can help support your case.
Call an experienced St. Louis bus accident attorney today
If you have been injured in a St. Louis bus accident, it is important to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. An experienced St. Louis bus accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and protect them throughout the legal process.
At Niemeyer, Grebel and Kruse, our attorneys are dedicated to providing personalized representation to each of our clients and helping you get the maximum compensation available for your injuries and losses. Contact us today for a free consultation – (314) 350-1900.
Have Questions?
WE HAVE ANSWERS
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How do I calculate damages in a car accident case?
Calculating economic damages tends to be straightforward as they are based on actual financial losses. You add up medical bills, property damage receipts, proof of lost wages, and any other out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident.
Non-economic damages are more subjective and can vary greatly. These are often calculated using a "multiplier" method, which involves multiplying the economic damages by a number (the multiplier) that represents the severity of the injuries. The multiplier can range typically from 1.5 to 5, or even higher for extremely severe or life-altering injuries.
Factors that can influence compensation include:
- Severity of injuries: The more severe the injuries, the higher the medical costs and potential for long-term impacts, which can lead to a higher overall compensation.
- The extent of property damage: Greater property damage can result in higher repair or replacement costs, increasing the total compensation.
- Impact on quality of life: If the accident has significantly affected your quality of life (e.g., inability to perform previous activities, requiring ongoing medical care), this can increase the compensation.
- Fault: As we mentioned above, Missouri's pure comparative fault system reduces your compensation by your percentage of fault in the accident. For example, if you're found to be 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you can only recover $70,000.
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Does Missouri cap the amount of damages you can seek in personal injury claims?
Missouri does not cap the amount of economic damages or non-economic damages that a car accident victim can recover. However, punitive damages are capped at $500,000 or five times the net amount of the judgment, whichever is greater.
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How much compensation can car accident victims recover?
As we mentioned above, every case is different, and as a result, car accident settlements can vary significantly based on the specific circumstances of the accident.
What Our Clients Are Saying
NGK Has A National Reputation for Helping the Injured Obtain the Compensation They Deserve
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"I highly recommend him as a lawyer."David Grebel has handled several cases for me, always professionally and with a positive outcome. I always felt in the loop. I felt like a person not a number.- Susie W.
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"Kindness, thoughtfulness and patience"I really appreciated Dave's kindness and thoughtfulness and especially his patience with me throughout my lawsuit.- Gladys R.
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"I only recommend NGK"Very responsive and they help you in any way they can. Michael Kruse has handled many cases for me and he is very professional and will fight for you every time.- Matthew G.
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"Helped me through the process"Initially, I was reluctant to bring a lawsuit, but Dave answered all my questions and helped me through the process. I really appreciate all he did to get me what I deserved.- Lou P.
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"I would highly recommend them."Absolute professionals of the highest caliber. There's no one else I would recommend to friends or family!- Robert K.
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"The best at what they do!!!"Dave Grebel is the go-to guy. He has handled cases for my friends and family, always with a positive outcome!- Bryan H.
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"2 for 2 batting 1000"Second time using NGK. Took care of me both times! Will use and recommend again! 5 stars!!- Tony B.
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"They were very wonderful."Dawn Schneithorst definitely worked hard for me and my siblings. She deserves a raise. They have me for a lifetime if we ever need them again.- Paige B.