Motor vehicle accidents can be traumatic enough when they involve smaller cars and trucks, but when they involve large vehicles like tractor-trailers and tour buses, the results can be even more catastrophic for Missouri and Illinois victims. Significant injuries or even death are too often the result when drivers of big rigs or tour buses lose control of their vehicles. This can result in family members left behind with both emotional grief and financial suffering due to unexpected medical or burial expenses. Some may choose to consult with a St. Louis personal injury attorney to find out more about pursuing financial damages, along with pain and suffering compensation, in a civil court of law.
One recent truck accident in another state illustrated this all too well because it involved both a tractor-trailer and a tour bus. A 2014 Serta bus was in the process of transporting prospective college students and their adult chaperones on a 700-mile trip to view a college campus. The bus was traveling north along an interstate at an estimated speed of 70 mph when a southbound 2007 Volvo truck sideswiped a car and then smashed into the bus head-in.
Fatal bus vs. truck accident kills 10 in another state
As a result of the fiery truck accident, three chaperones and five students lost their lives. Both the truck and bus drivers also perished in the collision. According to California Highway Patrol officials, their investigation into the fatal collision involves both accident reconstruction efforts as well as poring over stacks of records related to the big rig’s maintenance history and driver logs. Unfortunately, the big rig’s data recorder did not survive the explosion and fire which took place after the collision. Authorities do hope to use other forms of forensic analysis to determine data like the truck’s speed and movement just prior to and during the crash.
There is not yet any official word on whether driver error, mechanical failure or any other factors like driver fatigue or intoxication might have played a role in this truck accident. The California Highway Patrol has released the 911 calls made to emergency dispatchers in the wake of the catastrophic accident. Perhaps the most harrowing call actually came from one of the shaken students who managed to escape from the burning bus in time to survive the collision. That student struggled to find the right words to convey just what had happened and had to be understandably prompted by the emergency dispatcher.
Truck accident victims can take civil action for justice
Undoubtedly, all of the survivors of this horrific accident will continue struggling to recover from this incident, both emotionally and physically. Grieving family members will also need to pick up the pieces of their lives, which will never be the safe after beloved family members have perished so unexpectedly. These survivors and grieving relatives could also be facing mounting medical and other expenses related to the injuries suffered in the collision.
This is one reason why Missouri and Illinois law provides the opportunity to seek out financial restitution in personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits filed in civil court. A successfully litigated claim will result in monetary damages being awarded to plaintiffs for medical and other expenses and, in certain cases, pain and suffering compensation for victims and their families. However, to succeed in such a claim often requires a clear understanding of the complexities that can emerge during the investigation and prosecution of a civil lawsuit.
Fortunately, a St. Louis personal injury attorney often has extensive experience in pursuing this type of claim for clients who have either been injured in or lost loved ones in a serious truck accident like the one which occurred in California. Missouri or Illinois residents who wish to find out more about pursuing their rights in a civil court may wish to dial 1-888-586-7041 to discuss their situation with my law firm. The call is toll-free and an initial consultation will also be provided, free of charge. Additionally, my law firm collects no fees until — and only if — we succeed in obtaining monetary compensation on your behalf.
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