Kansas City families and commuters rely on buses every day, whether it’s a public transit vehicle, a school bus, or charter transportation for a private event. When a bus is involved in a crash, the results can be more severe than a typical passenger vehicle accident: permanent injuries, severe financial hardship, and even death.
At Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, our Kansas City bus accident attorneys represent people who were hurt as bus passengers, in another vehicle, or as pedestrians struck by a bus. If you are dealing with injuries after a bus accident, call (816) 876-2600 today for a free consultation about your case.
Why Trust Our Firm with Your Kansas City Bus Accident Case?
- Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe has recovered more than $1 billion for injured clients throughout Missouri and Kansas, and we prepare every case as if it may go to trial. This approach gives you leverage when negotiating with an insurance company or a government entity.
- A bus crash can involve more than one liable party, from the driver to a maintenance company to the bus manufacturer. We investigate every angle of your accident to find every source of compensation available to you.
- Bus accidents can involve painful injuries and a confusing legal process. Our Kansas City team of personal injury attorneys communicate honestly about your case and treat you with the compassion you deserve at every step.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Kansas City Bus Accident Claim?
Bus accident cases are often more complex than a typical car accident because many buses in Kansas City are owned by government entities, such as RideKC (operated by the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority) or a local school district. Missouri and Kansas both generally protect government entities from lawsuits under a legal doctrine called sovereign immunity, but each state has waived that immunity for cases like these. This means you can pursue a claim against RideKC, a Kansas or Missouri school district, or another government entity if their bus driver’s negligence caused your accident.
Depending on the circumstances, liability may also fall on:
- A private or commercial bus company, such as a charter or tour operator
- A company responsible for maintaining or repairing the bus
- A parts or vehicle manufacturer, if a defect contributed to the crash
- Another driver, if a passenger vehicle caused the collision
- A government agency responsible for road design, traffic signals, or roadway maintenance, if a defect contributed to the crash
When Should You Hire a Bus Accident Attorney in Kansas City?
The best time to hire a bus accident attorney is as soon as possible after your accident. Insurance adjusters, whether they represent a private bus company or a government entity’s insurer, often reach out quickly with a settlement offer that is far less than what your claim is actually worth. Once you accept a settlement, you cannot go back and ask for more, even if your injuries turn out to be worse than expected.
An auto accident attorney in Kansas City can level the playing field by taking over all communication with the insurance company or government claims department, so you are never negotiating alone against their legal team. We calculate the full value of your claim, including future medical needs and lost earning capacity. If the adjuster won’t offer a fair settlement, we will take your case to court.
The Statute of Limitations for Bus Accident Claims in Kansas City
You have a limited amount of time to file a bus accident lawsuit in Kansas City, depending on where the accident occurred and what type of claim you want to file:
- Missouri gives injured accident victims five years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, under RSMo § 516.120. If a loved one died in a bus accident, Missouri law gives surviving family members three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim, under RSMo § 537.100.
- Kansas gives injured accident victims two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, under K.S.A. § 60-513. If a loved one died in a bus accident, the same statute also provides two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim.
These deadlines can move up significantly when a government entity is involved. Government entities often require written notice of a claim within a matter of months, well before the five-year deadline arrives. Missing this kind of notice requirement can bar your claim entirely.
Because these deadlines vary so much depending on where your accident happened and who caused it, it’s worth speaking with an attorney as soon as possible after a bus accident. An attorney can quickly identify which deadlines apply to your case and start preparing your claim.
Common Injuries Sustained in Kansas City Bus Accidents
A bus’s size and weight can make collisions extremely dangerous. Passengers can be thrown against seats, windows, and handrails during a crash, while occupants of surrounding vehicles can suffer even more severe harm due to the size and weight difference between their vehicle and the bus.
Injuries commonly associated with bus accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Spinal cord injuries and neck injuries
- Internal organ damage and bleeding
- Deep cuts and lacerations
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
- Amputations
- Psychological trauma
Recoverable Compensation in a Kansas City Bus Accident Claim
When you file a bus accident claim, you can recover compensation to help pay for all of the damages that you sustained as a result of the crash. The damages available in your case will depend on the severity of your injuries and who caused the collision. At Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe, our attorneys can help you pursue:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, and rehabilitation
- Lost income, if your injuries kept you from working
- Loss of future earning capacity, for injuries that affect your ability to work long-term
- Pain and suffering, for the physical and emotional impact of your injuries
- Property damage, if your vehicle or personal property was damaged in the crash
Schedule a Free Consultation with Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe
A bus accident can leave you facing serious injuries and an unfamiliar legal process, especially when a government entity is involved. Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe knows what it takes to stand up to these at-fault parties and aggressively pursue the compensation our clients need to move forward. If you were injured in a Kansas City bus accident, contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with our attorneys.