Being in a bus accident in Jefferson City, Missouri, can have life-changing consequences. If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a bus, having our experienced Jefferson City bus accident lawyer on your side can make a significant difference in your recovery.
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we handle accident and injury claims involving charter buses, school buses, city transit buses, and long-distance carriers like Greyhound.
We are proud to be the only law firm in Missouri that focuses exclusively on auto accident cases. Our deep knowledge of Missouri traffic laws and extensive experience handling accident claims give us a unique advantage.
Have you been in an accident involving a public transit bus or school bus in Jefferson City, MO? Our experienced bus accident attorneys in Jefferson City are available 24/7 to speak with you. Call (573) 400-2046 to get started.Â
How Our Bus Accident Lawyers in Jefferson City, Missouri, Can Help
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, here’s how we help you take control of your case:
- Provide you with clear, honest information so you understand your entire case.
- Accurately calculate the value of your claim, including medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Help gather and organize key evidence.
- Interview witnesses to build a more detailed and accurate account of what happened.
- If needed, hire experts in specific areas, such as accident reconstruction or medical evaluation. Â
- Handle communication with all involved insurance companies.
- Taking care of the paperwork and making sure your lawsuit is filed correctly and on time.
- Fighting for the best possible outcome. Whether that means negotiating a fair settlement or representing you in court.
Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you. Hiring attorneys Paul Beck and John Beck is the best way to increase the value of your case.
Common Types of Bus Accidents
- Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of bus accidents, often occurring at intersections, during traffic slowdowns, or due to distracted driving.
- Improper lane change incidents occur when a vehicle switches lanes and collides with another car. The most frequent causes are failing to check blind spots or not using signals properly.
- Intersection-related collisions: These are high-risk areas due to the numerous factors that drivers must pay attention to. Mistakes like failing to stop at red lights or misjudging who has the right of way can easily lead to serious accidents.
- Bus overturn: because of their tall structure and uneven weight distribution, buses are at risk of rolling over if they make a sudden turn or veer off the road. While serious, these accidents are relatively uncommon and make up only about 2% of all bus crashes.
- Passenger-related injuries: sudden stops, sharp turns, or quick lane changes can cause passengers—especially those standing—to fall and get hurt.
- Pedestrian incidents: size and blind spots can lead to bus drivers hitting pedestrians—especially those crossing the street or stepping out from behind parked cars.
- Boarding and exiting incidents: bus drivers should pick up and drop off passengers smoothly to help prevent accidents.
Â
Are you searching for a Jefferson City bus accident lawyer near me? Our skilled legal team will fight to ensure your best interests are represented. Call (573) 400-2046 for a free consult!Â
Â
Reasons Why Bus Accidents Happen
While every bus collision is different, there are certain causes that tend to show up:
- Driving with excessive speed
- Drowsy and fatigued driving
- Impaired or drunk driving
- Accidents related to bus blind spots
- Driving with distractions
- Inexperienced or untrained drivers
- Dangerous road conditions due to bad weather
Negligence and Liability in Bus Accidents
When an accident involves a school bus, city transit, or a private charter, identifying who is liable and proving negligence is crucial.
Bus accident claims can be more complex than typical car accident claims due to the many factors and parties involved:
The Bus Company
Buses must undergo regular checkups to comply with all safety measures, including an annual inspection, a secondary inspection conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and daily pre-trip inspections required by the Board of Education for school bus operators.
However, some bus companies disregard these regulations, which involve not only inspecting the vehicle but also evaluating the driver’s competence. Failing to do so can put the safety of hundreds of people at risk.
The Bus Driver
A bus driver can commit negligence by not following traffic laws such as driving with excessive speed limit or engaging in improper lane changes. Driving with distractions, like texting or chatting with others, can also be considered negligence. However, in most cases, liability will be on the bus company.
The School District:
In the case of a school bus accident, liability may fall on the district if it engaged in negligent practices, such as failing to verify a driver’s skills, traffic record, or criminal history. Additionally, if classes weren’t canceled during hazardous weather conditions, the district could be held accountable for putting students at risk.
The City or Government Entities:
If the crash was caused by unsafe road conditions that should have been addressed, the local or state government may bear responsibility for failing to maintain public infrastructure.
The Bus Manufacturer:
If the bus was poorly designed or contained defective parts, the manufacturer could be responsible. They are required to meet strict safety standards.
Strict Regulations for Transportation and Bus Companies
Because buses carry so many people, they’re held to higher safety standards than regular cars.
To keep passengers safe, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) works together with bus companies and law enforcement to make sure buses are properly maintained, drivers are qualified and rested, and that clear procedures are followed after any accident.
Private and charter buses also need to carry commercial insurance and meet strict federal guidelines. When these rules are ignored the results can be devastating.
If you’ve been in a bus accident where safety laws weren’t followed, our experienced Jefferson City bus accident lawyers understand the ins and outs of these regulations can make all the difference in getting the compensation you need to recover.
Unique Challenges in Bus Accident Lawsuits
Filing a lawsuit after a bus accident in Missouri isn’t always straightforward—especially when the bus is owned or operated by a public entity like a school district or city transit system.
These cases come with extra legal hurdles because of sovereign immunity laws, which generally protect government agencies from being sued.
However, Missouri law—specifically Section 537.600 of the Revised Statutes—makes exceptions. If a public employee causes an accident while driving a government vehicle, or if someone is hurt because of a dangerous condition on public property that the government knew about and didn’t fix, that immunity can be waived.
Even with that door open, winning a case still depends on proving the three key elements of negligence: that the defendant (like a driver or agency) owed a duty of care, that they breached that duty through careless actions, and that this breach directly caused the injury.
In bus accident cases, gathering the right evidence—like maintenance records, driver logs, or proof of ignored hazards—can be tough, especially when dealing with government bureaucracy.
That’s why having an experienced Jefferson City bus accident attorney who understands both the legal details and the practical challenges of suing a public entity is so important.
Time Limit to File a Bus Accident Claim
If you’ve been injured in a bus accident in Missouri, it’s important to act quickly. In most personal injury cases, you have five years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
But if the bus is owned or operated by a city, according to Missouri Revised Statute § 81.060, you must give written notice of your intent to file a claim within 90 days of the incident.
This notice must be delivered to the city’s mayor and include details like when and where the injury happened, what caused it, and that you intend to seek damages. Missing this deadline could prevent you from pursuing your case.
Knowledgeable Jefferson City Bus Accident Law Firm
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we focus exclusively on vehicle accidents, which means we understand the unique complexities that come with bus accident claims in Jefferson City.
As the only Missouri law firm dedicated to this area of law, we bring a level of insight and experience that general personal injury firms simply can’t match.
From the moment you contact us, we take full responsibility for your case—investigating the accident, preserving critical evidence, and handling all communication with insurance companies—so you can focus on your recovery.
We don’t treat your case like just another file. We take the time to understand your situation, offer clear guidance, and advocate for your best interests with the compassion and determination you deserve.
If you’ve been injured in a bus accident in Jefferson City, Missouri, contact us today for a free consultation and let our team help you pursue the compensation you’re entitled to.
Locations in Missouri where we have helped residents with bus accident claims include St. Louis, Florissant, O’Fallon, Kansas City, Â Independence, Doniphan, Springfield, Cape Girardeau, and more.
