Our experienced St. Louis bus accident attorneys can evaluate your claim for free and help you determine what your next steps should be.
It’s a parent’s worst nightmare, hearing their child has been injured on a school bus. You put your faith in these drivers, thinking your child will safely reach school or home, but the reality is that all means of transportation come with some level of risk.
Most states, Missouri included, have traffic laws that protect school buses. As a result, the nationwide statistics for accidents involving school buses are only at 0.4%. However, even if the number shows the chances are slim, it doesn’t mean accidents can’t happen. When they do, parents can be left wondering how to proceed.
What Does the Law Say?
Missouri drivers are required to stop when a school bus stops to let students on or off the vehicle, whether at the educational institution or in the area where the children live. Still, distracted drivers, or those who are too impatient to wait, may violate these rules and cause an accident.
When that happens, parents may seek compensation from the at-fault driver. They can either file a personal injury claim with the driver’s insurance company on the child’s behalf or even sue for negligence if the case warrants such a move. An experienced bus accident lawyer in St. Louis can advise you what is best for your case.
However, there is also the possibility of the school bus driver being at fault. In this case, matters can be more complicated.
If the school bus driver is at fault, you may recover compensation from the school district, which should have insurance for these types of events. Since they are a government entity, it can be quite challenging to demand compensation from them. The process is quite laborious and involves many more steps than if you’d be asking another driver for compensation. You should consult with an experienced lawyer if this is the case. You will have to prove these other parties were negligent and caused the suffering of your child.
St. Louis Bus Accident Attorney
It’s impossible to imagine what a parent feels when they find out their child has been injured. If you are in this situation, please contact The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. to discuss your case and decide your next steps. Our experienced bus accident attorneys can evaluate your claim for free and help you determine what your next steps should be.