Metro Bus Accident Lawyer St. Louis. Public transportation helps many people across St. Louis get where they need to go, while providing a necessary public good and helping to reduce the number of cars on the road. However, busses must share the same roads with personal cars, pedestrians, and cyclists. And even though Metro bus drivers are given extensive training and must possess a commercial driver’s license, driving such a large and cumbersome vehicle can–and often does–lead to accidents that produce extensive personal injuries and property damage.
Combs Waterkotte is ready to talk if you or a loved one has been in an accident with a Metro bus. Our St. Louis personal injury attorneys are here to help you navigate the legal process, answer any and all questions you may have about your St. Louis Metro bus accident case, and fight fiercely for the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP: all our initial consultations are free and there is no obligation attached.
What To Do If You’re In A Metro Bus Accident
Accidents involving government property, such as Metro busses, are much different and more complicated than standard car accident or personal injury claims. This is because government entities have what is known as sovereign immunity, which means they cannot be sued without their consent. However, in Missouri the Tort Claims Act (officially MO Revised Statute 537.600) explicitly waives sovereign immunity in cases where injuries result from “a public employee…operating a motor vehicle as part of the course of their employment”.
Since Metro bus drivers are governmental employees, this means that it is indeed possible to sue them for damages. However, the time-frame to bring a lawsuit against Metro to recover damages is much shorter than a standard personal injury lawsuit. While personal injury lawsuits in Missouri that involve two individuals, or a non-governmental entity, have a five-year statute of limitations, if you want to file a lawsuit against a governmental entity you have 90 days from the date your accident occurred to do so. In addition, you must provide:
- Evidence to support your claim
- A full accounting of your damages
- Information on when, where, and how the accident occured
- Why you believe Metro is liable for damages
Even after you have signaled your intent to sue Metro, your claim may not even be approved. Governmental agency lawsuits in Missouri have a investigation process designed to weed out frivolous claims. All the evidence related to your case is fully gathered, and claims against Metro can, and often are, denied. Plaintiffs do have the right to file suit to appeal those decisions, though, if their claims are denied.
Call An Aggressive St. Louis Metro Bus Accident Lawyer
St. Louis Metro bus accidents are much different than accidents involving two personal cars, and personal injury cases resulting from these accidents require legal representation that is prepared to take on every facet of your claim. At Combs Waterkotte, our experienced St. Louis personal injury lawyers will stop at nothing to get you the maximum possible compensation for your pain, suffering, and damages. We pride ourselves on total client satisfaction and promise you that you will always be able to talk to the attorney working on your case, no matter when or where you need to do so.
Time is of the essence when filing a St. Louis Metro bus accident lawsuit, so contact Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible after your accident. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to speak with an attorney.
