Bus Accident Lawyer – School Bus Accident Attorney
Talk to a Lawyer For Free 24/7 at (314) 361-4242. Our St. Louis Bus Accident Attorneys Have 25+ Years of Experience and Fight to Get Compensation For Accident Injury Victims.
Buses and taxis are called “common carriers.” You are paying them to provide transportation, and they are held to a high standard of safety and care. Bus drivers should, therefore, have appropriate training to prepare them for the challenges they may encounter on the roadway. School bus drivers should also have the training to protect students from harm on and around the bus after they exit.
This legal professional has shown exceptional competence and dedication in their field. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking legal representation that is committed to unwavering advocacy and support throughout the entirety of their case.
I would describe this lawyer as highly educated, sharp, and top of his game. Explains the car accident process and treatment options well. The lawyer said if they don’t pay you, we will have the jury take it from the insurance company. Great lawyer. Dynamic person.
Interviewed all the TV car accident lawyers and decided to call this law firm that had great reviews. So happy I did. What a difference!
Response from the owner: TV car accident lawyers are just mass production. This is not a good fit for litigated cases. Paralegals instead of lawyers. Monthly quotas for settlements. Car accident victims end up in a cattle call with the lawyers on TV.
Love my car accident lawyer. This law firm is a step above.
Response from the owner: Our lawyers train and track the best approaches on cases. Whether litigation in cases or the practicalities of certain treatment, the growth of our lawyers over time is paramount. Always staying ahead of and setting practice trends. Thank you.
Serious family member have a car accident injury? Look no further. This litigator is for real. Always two steps ahead of the other lawyer.
Response from the owner: This is a sad reality for car accident lawyers. The #1 passenger in an auto accident is a relative. Helping a family make it through this and putting the family back together is one of the most rewarding things I do as an automobile accident attorney.
This lawyer handles really big accident cases in St Louis. He is a lawyer, accountant and has his masters in tax so he gets the injury cases for individuals that can never go back to work or individuals own a business and cannot run it due to injury. He specializes in valuations of massive loss. Thank goodness a firm like this exists.
Response from the owner: Thank you. When accident are severe and you lose the ability to work or to continue a business, having an accounting and tax background is key. Valuing large losses are second nature for us.
Asked a trauma surgeon who operates on car accident victims who are the best injury lawyers that have taken his deposition. He said “by far” it was Mr Hoffmann. Interviewed several attorneys and this was a correct assessment. In a league of his own!
Response from the owner: Our attorney have deposed nearly all the trauma surgeons at every Level 1 Trauma Center in Saint Louis. These doctors save lives after a car accident. Whether controlling bleeding or reestablishing blood flow or bone structures, they are life savers.
Few lawyers in St. Louis can handle the biggest injury cases! This is one of them!
Response from the owner: Our law firm has made great efforts in terms of training to handle life changing injury cases. Whether in depth knowledge of the medical, loss of income and earning capacity, or lifetime medical care plans, our clients feel confident and know their case is in good hands. Thank you for the compliment.
Cannot say enough about this lawyer. Call if in an accident. This attorney handles the biggest car accidents in St Louis.
Response from the owner: Thanks Ash! Our biggest source of cases is our clients. Our second biggest referral source is defense lawyers telling their relatives to call us. Few lawyers can handle the largest cases. Our law firm welcomes and has trained for this. We don’t do mass production settlement like the lawyers on TV. Our clients can never go back to work. Their cases need massive focus and effort and often long fought litigation.
So glad I called attorney Hoffmann. This time I got it right! So glad I hired the Hoffmann Law Firm - professional, reliable and available.
Response from the owner: Thanks Taylor. Our lawyers answer the phone day, night, weekends and even during lunch. Being professional means training to beat the best defense lawyers. Client rely on us to get results and we do.
Great lawyer. Cares about his clients, knows his stuff and goes the extra mile. I recommend this lawyer for car wreck injury claim. Every other lawyer on TV would not even help with my property claim. This attorney did.
Response from the owner: Thank you for the kind words. Every case starts with a great client. You are correct the car accident lawyers on TV are mass production settlement mills. When injury clients fire them, we get their files and the cases are not worked up at all. Appreciate your confidence in us!
Major car accident injury in St Louis area for a family member. Four different lawyers we know said the same thing - call Chris Hoffmann. On another level.
Response from the owner: This is such a great compliment. Most of our cases come from prior client or lawyers that also do car accidents cases but the particular case is too large or too difficult. Being a lawyer and an accountant, we specialize in cases with total lost of income, earning capacity and/or often the inability to continue a family business. Evaluations such as these are second nature for our lawyers. Thanks.
Best in St Louis for auto accident cases. Nobody else is even close.
Response from the owner: So kind of you to leave this review. Whether our lawyers are going after big insurance or their lawyers, skill and experience are essential and win the day for our auto accident clients. Thanks!
This attorney is very smart, very experienced, returns phone calls and knows the answers when asked. One call and I knew this was a great law firm for auto accidents.
Response from the owner: Our law firm appreciates this. This is a comment we get from so many people who call…”none of the lawyers we called told me all the things that you did.” Whether we take a car accident case or not, helping people is a good thing.
5 Star Lawyer for sure! Best you will find in Saint Louis.
Response from the owner: Thanks for the 5 Star Rating. Reviews like this are great. Injury victims quickly figure out the TV advertisers are not good. We work hard at being the best we can be and it reflects in our representation of car accident victims.
Watch this lawyer in action. Was way better than all the others. Get this lawyer for an automobile accident for sure.
Response from the owner: Thanks for the recommendation. Besides doing cases, our attorneys train for this. Hard work, case knowledge and technique is key to success in car accident litigation.
Very pleased with The Hoffmann Law Firm. Lawyers are attentive, friendly and go the distance to force the settlement you want. The TV lawyers recommend low offers. This law firm gets the maximum.
Response from the owner: We get calls from car accident victims that had to fire the TV lawyers that they hired. They give the same two reasons: 1) they never spoke to a lawyer at the Big TV law firms, only a paralegal, and 2) the paralegal recommended they accept a low offer. At our law firm, you only talk to the lawyer and if an offer is low we tell you to sue. Thanks!
Several lawyers said to call this lawyer because he is the best. You will appreciate this law firm. Helped with the injury and property claims. Attentive and knowledgeable. Great reputation in St Louis.
Response from the owner: Thanks Lexi. Our #1 source of cases is other lawyers referring us cases that are too big for them to handle.
Would use this accident law firm. Best in Saint Louis. Highly rated and it shows. After one phone call, you just know this attorney is better. 5 Stars!!
Response from the owner: Thanks for recommending our lawyers in St Louis. There is a major difference in lawyers as you well know.
Car accident lawyers on tv are not good . Get this attorney ! He is a pro !!
Response from the owner: Thanks Nathan. TV lawyers market for car accidents, use paralegals instead of lawyers and give their employees settlement quotas hence forcing cheap settlements. At our law firm, you get a lawyer who keeps pushing forward for more.
Quality lawyer. Best law firm for a car accident. Advice was way better than other lawyers I called in St. Louis. Helped with property and injury.
Response from the owner: Thanks. The TV lawyer advertisers are just car accident settlement mills. As soon as people call a real attorney, they always tell us how much better and more helpful we were. Appreciate this.
This lawyer is big time. Smooth. The other lawyers on the other side were not nearly as good as this attorney. I recommend friends in St Louis to him for accident injuries and they all say the same thing…”that lawyer is great.”
Response from the owner: Very nice of you to say. Our lawyers work hard on auto accident cases.
Family used this car accident attorney after a crash. Located in St Louis. This lawyer answers the phone and will walk you through the process. Knows his stuff!
Response from the owner: Taking calls, going over the car accident injury and property process is important. Clients that call always say we are the only lawyers that explained everything. Much appreciated.
Tried the lawyers on TV. They were not good. Hired this car accident lawyer instead because he had great reviews. The reviews are correct. This attorney is as good as they get. He does big injury cases that need to be litigated.
Response from the owner: Car accident lawyers on TV do not litigate cases. It is mass production. They have quotas. Local attorneys are best on auto accidents.
Used this attorney for an auto accident. Highly recommend this lawyer in St. Louis. Communicates well.
Response from the owner: Communicating with clients is essential. Taking the client though the car accident claims process is important otherwise major mistakes can occur. It is an effort that we make. Thanks!
Fantastic law firm, I would recommend! Received free consultation related to an auto accident when my parked car was damaged by a baseball. Very supportive advice, these guys are good!
I was in a car accident in St.Louis and hired Chris as my lawyer. He was amazing!!! He helped me every step of the way and was able to get me a great settlement!!!Highly, highly, highly recommend him!
Response from the owner: Each step is important in a car accident. Thanks for recommending us for car accidents injury claims.
Being entrusted with our most precious assets does not exempt a school bus driver from committing reckless driving errors. Consider what happened outside of Kansas City in August 2013. Eighteen 6th graders got hurt when the bus they were riding overturned on a highway exit ramp. Excessive speed is said to have caused that accident, and the driver should have known to slow down before attempting to maneuver onto the curving ramp. Fortunately, no other vehicles were involved, and there were no fatalities, but many of the students suffered severe injuries, including spinal cord injuries and head traumas.
To become a school bus driver in Missouri, you must have a special endorsement added to your CDL license. You must complete at least eight hours of specialized school bus driving instruction to get that. Additionally, you will be required to pass both a written and practical exam. Officials will then check your driving record before issuing you your special license. Once you apply for employment, the school district will likely ask for fingerprints to conduct a background check.
Government Immunity
Since most school buses are owned and operated by public schools, the drivers may be entitled to government immunity if they are involved in an accident. The government will sometimes lift immunity in car accident cases but will still require that the plaintiff prove a higher level of fault in the drivers’ actions. Since laws vary from state to state, it is vital to seek the advice of an experienced Missouri car accident lawyer if you have been involved in a bus accident in Missouri.
Out in Lafayette County, the operator of a small pickup truck successfully received compensation after an accident with a school bus caused disc herniation in his spine. He was traveling along a highway when the bus suddenly entered directly in his path from a side street. Evidence shows that the driver did not thoroughly check the traffic flow before entering the intersection. A jury agreed and awarded the plaintiff $300,000. They assigned only 10% of the blame to the victim.
Causes of Bus Accidents
One of the complications that can be encountered with a MetroBus, MetroLink, or school bus accident is the issue of liability. Sometimes, a private bus or taxi company is liable, but other times, liability rests with a school district, state, or local government. Bringing a personal injury case against a government entity differs from a typical motor vehicle accident case against an insurance company.
That is when the experience becomes even more critical. As an experienced lawyer, Christopher Hoffmann knows how to handle lawsuits against bus companies, taxicabs, school districts, and state and local governments. He is fully prepared to seek maximum compensation for injuries suffered in bus or taxicab accidents involving:
When a bus has to make a right turn, the driver is forced to swing the front part to the left to steer clear of any obstacles. Buses are often seen making wide right turns in highly populated streets.
When a bus attempts a wide right turn, a vehicle to the left may become sandwiched between the bus and the curb. Due to the bus’s considerable size and weight, such accidents are always dangerous and sometimes fatal.
Liability in Wide Right Turn Bus Accidents
Bus drivers undergo continued and intense training to stay current with their licenses. Their training and experience give them the skill to calculate the distance required to make a safe, wide right turn. If a driver fails to calculate the distance correctly and causes an accident, the driver may be liable for it.
Every bus driver must watch out for any passenger vehicles, pedestrians, or others they share the road with. A bus driver should signal the intent to turn well before turning and wait for the right opportunity before initiating the turn. Awareness of traffic laws and rules can go a long way in preventing all types of accidents.
Serious Injuries Resulting From Bus Accidents
Most wide right turn accidents occur at low speeds. The chances of a fatality are comparatively lower compared to other accident scenarios involving buses and trucks. However, victims often suffer severe injuries in such accidents. Some commonly reported injuries include:
An experienced attorney would best handle any lawsuit filed that includes government employees. If you or your child have been hurt in a bus accident, the best way to receive full compensation for your injuries is to retain a qualified bus accident attorney.
The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. has been helping those involved in car accidents in Missouri and Illinois for 25 years. If you have been involved in an accident, call our law firm at (314) 361-4242 or contact us online to schedule a free and private consultation with a qualified St. Louis auto accident attorney.
The bigger a vehicle is, the more dangerous it is. This effect is due to its increased weight and the difficulty driving it. The most common large vehicle that drives the roads of St. Louis is buses. Because there are so many of them, it is worth your time to understand how to share the road with them safely. If you do not, you could be headed for a bus accident. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Stay out of Blind Spots—One of the most common accidents involving buses is when a car is in its blind spot. Buses frequently need to change lanes to make their stops, so driving in one’s blind spot is an especially unsafe practice. When driving near buses, ensure you are not right beside them. Instead, try to get ahead or far behind.
Obey the School Zone Speed Limit—It’s crucial to follow the speed limit in school zones to ensure the safety of children. This is especially important when driving a school bus during school hours when kids are present. By doing so, you will not only prevent accidents but also avoid having to pay a hefty fine.
Pass Correctly—Driving behind a bus can be very annoying. They often drive slowly and constantly stop, which delays you and may cause frustration. At some point, you will likely decide to pass them. When you do, you should follow safe practices. First, make sure you change lanes far behind the bus. You don’t want to get too close and rear-ending them at an unexpected stop. Next, don’t linger in their blind spot. Instead, get ahead of them as quickly as possible while staying safe and under the speed limit.
Increase Your Following Distance—Heavier vehicles have slower stopping times and thus require a more significant following distance. Additionally, buses stop more than any other vehicle on the road. If you’re tailgating a bus, you are at considerable risk of rear-ending them. To remedy this situation, try to stay at least thirty feet behind them.
Expect Wide Turns – Due to their size, buses cannot make tight turns like a typical car. Instead, they require wide turns, often taking up two full lanes during turns. When you get near an intersection, watch out for turn signals and other clues that the bus might be turning. When they start to turn, slow down and let them finish the turn before making a move.
Be patient—No one likes being stuck in traffic, especially when you’re running late. But when you see a school bus stopped on the side of the road, it’s important to be patient and wait for it to finish loading or unloading students. You could hit a child crossing the street if you try to squeeze by the bus. And even if you don’t hit anyone, you could get a ticket from a police officer who saw your unsafe driving.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings – Children can be unpredictable. One moment, they’re running to catch the school bus, and the next, they’re darting out into traffic without looking both ways. That’s why it’s important always to be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to the bus driver and the children as they board and exit. If you see a child running toward the street, be prepared to stop. In addition, distractions like cell phones and music players should be avoided. This will help you stay focused.
Complex Legality
Because buses are almost always owned by the government or a large corporation, suing for injury is usually very complicated. If you ever find yourself in this situation, speaking with an experienced lawyer is best.
The safest things to do when driving around buses are similar to those for any vehicle: Be patient and defensive. Though bus drivers do it professionally, large vehicles are difficult to maneuver. They will drive slower and take wide turns.
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