Legal Question in Personal Injury in Missouri
school bus accident
My son was on the school bus going to school and the bus stopped at a stop sign and was rear ended by a truck. My son was in the very back seat and was never taken from the scene to the hospital. They asked the kids who was hurt and the others were put in another bus and taken to the elementary school. I was never notified from the school. A friend had taken her son to school and saw the bus and came by and told my fiancee. He then called me at work. I went and picked up my child and took him to the doctor. His leg was bruised and he had hit his head. Later that evening i had to take him to the emergency room for his back hurting. They said that he had strained muscles along his spine and he had blood in his urine. Shouldnt all of the kids have been taken to the hospital. Instead they had the school nurse check them out. Seven kids were initially taken from the bus to the hospital. One little girls mom wasnt even called, she was notified later from a neighbor that her child was taken away. Do i need to find an attorney or do i not have a case?
3 Answers from Attorneys
Re: school bus accident
I am sorry to learn of your son's injuries. Your son and you have a case. I would be happy to discuss the matter with you, without cost or obligation.
You can reach me at 314.621.6519. Please know that until I speak with you, neither I nor Lawguru.com represent you. This is important, as there are statutes of limitation that limit the amount of time in which you have to file a suit on his behalf.
In the meantime, pay for his medical bills with your medical insurance, rather than letting the bus company or other driver pay the bills. This will be very important later, to maximize his recovery.
Re: school bus accident
You have a good claim against the truck driver and his insurance company. Give me a call and I would be happy to help you. It could be worth several thousands of dollars. You need to get a copy of the police report.
Greg S. Kessler 314 725-8000
Re: school bus accident
It is horrible that the school did not attempt to contact you. It is also very bad that they did not get medical attention for your child. I was once the victim of such mistreatement by a school nurse. If you are near the Kansas City area, and wish to discuss this matter, please feel free to contact me. It appears that you have also gotten responses from a couple of St. Louis attorneys.
Remember, the most important thing in all of this is your child's health. The rest is just money. How old is your child? It may be important for an eventual case, and perhaps to deter nightmares to ask your child questions about the case, sush as, what were they doing just before the truck hit the bus? Who were they sitting by. How did they feel. What did people say (both children and adults) just after it happened.
One of the St. Louis Attorneys suggested you get the police report. That is good advice, assuming that the police were called. If they were, you usually have to wait 15 days or so after the incident before the report is available. So, don't be frustrated if you have to wait.
If you have already spoken to your child's school about the incident, it is best to make notes about any discussions as soon as possible afterward, if not during the meeeting/conversation, making note of the time, date, and who you were speaking with.
Good Luck, and let me know if I can help.
Tony Smith