Average Charter Bus Accident Settlement in Missouri (2025)

By Zane T. Cagle | November 20, 2024 | Bus Accidents

Accidents on private and charter buses do not happen as frequently as other accidents, but they have the potential to cause serious harm when they do get in a crash. When a charter bus is in a serious crash, there are often many injured individuals. The size and weight of the vehicle can cause serious harm to smaller passenger vehicles. Many injured individuals wonder what the average bus accident settlement in Missouri is and how they can recover their financial losses.

There are many factors that influence the value of a personal injury settlement after a bus crash, and knowing the average value of a settlement does not tell you what your settlement is likely to be. Because a settlement is reliant on the severity of the injuries you suffered, every settlement is unique. It can be helpful to understand how your injuries and other factors influence the potential settlement you can recover.

The Effect of Your Injuries on a Charter Bus Accident Settlement

Charter bus accidents can happen in many different circumstances, including crashes caused by driver negligence, a malfunction, road defects, poor maintenance, or the carelessness of the private bus company. These unique accident circumstances can result in minor or severe injuries.

If you are a passenger on a charter or other private bus, you can likely recover compensation from the bus company’s insurance company If the bus was struck by another driver who bear fault, you may be able to make a case against their insurance carrier as well.

The primary factor that impacts the compensation you can recover is how seriously you were injured. Bus accidents can result in numerous injuries, including lacerations and bruises, broken bones, whiplash, internal organ damage, road rash, burns, traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, and spinal cord injuries.

A settlement or a verdict can recover your economic and non-economic losses. More serious injuries require more in-depth medical care and higher bills. They also tend to require long-term care and have potential complications that can affect someone for a long time.

Recovering from these injuries also requires more time off work, meaning more lost income. Severe injuries are also more likely to affect your emotional and psychological health, increasing your non-economic losses.

All of these losses must be considered and fully calculated in a settlement or verdict.

Other Factors Influencing Your Bus Accident Settlement

While the value of a settlement is largely dependent on your injury severity, you are not always able to recover the maximum compensation that is available, often due to unfair negotiations without legal representation.

Insurance carriers do not want to pay you the full value of your injuries, and commercial insurance carriers are especially prepared to argue limiting your damages. As a bus passenger, you rarely have to worry about your liability, as it is uncommon for passengers to interfere with the driver. While insurers are unlikely to claim you were partially liable, they may try to undermine how serious your injuries are. It is important that you protect your rights.

Some other factors that can influence your settlement or trial verdict against an insurance carrier include:

1. Legal representation. Working with an attorney is the ideal way to get the most compensation that you are owed. An attorney can investigate the cause of the accident, pursue compensation with the at-fault insurer, and negotiate or litigate the case. Attorneys have substantial experience in these cases and know how to deal with commercial insurance carriers.
2. Available insurance coverage. The insurance coverage limits can limit your compensation if your damages exceed them. Bus companies and their commercial carriers have higher limits than other types of insurance, so this is less likely. Also, charter buses must follow the regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. An attorney can also review all the potential avenues for recovering compensation.

FAQs

How Much Compensation Can You Recover from a Charter Bus Accident?

The amount of compensation you can recover after a bus accident relies on how serious your injuries are and whether you negotiate for a fair settlement. Private bus companies might try to get you to accept offers quickly after an accident, but these offers are not in your best interests. Frequently, representatives will contact you requiring you to sign releases and offering compensation under the ruse of good customer service. If you are injured, you need to avoid these tactics.

To avoid accepting a lowball settlement, you should work with an attorney. Working with an attorney means you are more likely to recover the most compensation possible after a bus crash, as they have significant resources and experience to get fair compensation.

How Long Do Most Charter Bus Accident Settlements Take?

Every bus accident is unique, and each settlement may take a varying amount of time. It’s important to realize that settling a case quickly is often not in your best interests. If your case is taking longer, it is because your attorney is negotiating to get full and fair compensation or taking the case to court.

Each person is unique and the option to settle or litigate for your best outcome is strategy best developed with an experienced attorney. It is important to work with an attorney who can prepare a case for the court to recover the compensation you deserve.

How Much Do Charter Bus Accident Attorneys Charge?

Charter bus accident attorneys typically charge a contingency fee, like other personal injury attorneys. A contingency fee is a percentage of the final settlement or verdict rather than any upfront attorney’s fees. This method enables injured individuals to obtain legal representation, helping them get the most financial recovery possible without furthering their financial strain.

The exact percentage varies based on the attorney and the case but should be discussed upfront. Cases that go to trial have higher contingency fees because they involve more time and resources of the attorney.

How Is Charter Bus Accident Personal Injury Compensation Calculated?

Compensation for a personal injury is calculated based on the actual financial losses of your injuries in the bus crash and the personal and emotional consequences, or pain and suffering losses.

Your injury’s financial losses include the cost of immediate medical treatment and long-term medical care. It also includes the loss of your income during your physical recovery. If you are permanently injured, it may include future income losses.  Pain and suffering losses include emotional anguish, physical pain, and other psychological or emotional injuries.

Working With The Cagle Law Firm After a Charter Bus Accident

At The Cagle Law Firm, we have extensive experience in complex accident cases, including bus accidents involving commercial insurance carriers. We know how to address these resourced carriers and protect the rights and financial interests of injured bus passengers.

Financial support after an injury is essential, and bus passengers can often have difficulty securing the financial recovery they are owed. The team at The Cagle Law Firm can help. Contact our team today if you were involved in a bus accident.

About The Author

Zane T. Cagle

Zane T. Cagle is the founding president and lead trial attorney at The Cagle Law Firm. With a strong dedication to his clients, he has built a reputation for his tenacious representation in personal injury cases, ensuring each client's unique story is heard.Areas of Practice: Personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death.Bar Admissions: Supreme Court of Missouri, Illinois & Kentucky. Superior Court of U.S. Virgin IslandsEducation: Washington University School of Law.Awards: Super Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers Association, 10 Best in Missouri for Customer Satisfaction.

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