Hipskind & McAninch Representing Survivors of Greyhound Bus Crash
Even if you are not from St. Louis or Metro East Illinois, you probably saw the story on one of the National News outlets about the horrific Greyhound Bus crash on July 12th. The bus collided with three parked semi-trucks at a rest area near Highland, Illinois, killing three and injuring at least fourteen.
Now, two of the survivors have hired personal injury attorneys Hipskind & McAninch, LLC. The firm will represent them in seeking damages for their physical and psychological injuries from Greyhound Lines Inc. and potentially others as the investigation into this incident remains ongoing.
As Brady McAninch told KSDK news, “This is an incredibly traumatic event. We need to make sure that these people get better, get the treatment they need, and also get taken care of for any mental anguish they’ve suffered.”
Be Wary of Early Settlement Offers
In a bus accident, the weight and size of the vehicle often result in more serious injuries than a crash between two cars. With the help of a personal injury attorney, victims can ensure that they receive an appropriate amount of compensation for their immediate and long-term needs.
Hipskind & McAninch caution against accepting a settlement before knowing the full extent of injuries and the cost of treatment. Expenses making up a claim may include medical treatment, follow-up care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It can be a long road to full physical, mental, and financial recovery—not only for the victims of this crash but for their families too.
Although not verified, it has been reported that a representative of the bus company has offered a settlement of $2,500 to survivors. Practices like this are common, as a large company will do what it can to minimize its financial liability and prevent a lawsuit. But at this early stage of the investigation, most, if not all victims are still assessing the extent and cost of their injuries. As soon as a victim accepts a monetary settlement from a company or their insurer, they may waive their right to further compensation.
Investigating Who Is Liable
Another complication of this Greyhound bus crash is understanding who is liable. There could be multiple parties involved in the lawsuit. Federal and state authorities are in the process of investigating exactly what happened and who was at fault. The NTSB says this could take up to two years.
In bus accidents, the driver might be responsible, especially if they were distracted or impaired in some way. There are also industry guidelines about how long a driver can be behind the wheel. The bus company could be accountable if they failed to train or screen the driver appropriately or pushed them to work too many hours without rest. Potential liability can extend even further. If the company uses a third-party mechanic, for example, they too could share the blame for a failure of safety equipment such as the brakes.
Luckily, most of today’s commercial vehicles are equipped with technology that will help determine exactly what happened. Equipment such as dash cams and onboard computers, along with eyewitness accounts will be part of the NTSB’s investigation into whether there was negligence or a mechanical mishap.
“Once their investigation is complete,” said John Hipskind in an interview with KMOV, “we’ll pick up our investigation and determine whether or not there are any other entities that need to be added to the lawsuit.”
Personal Injury Attorneys—Fighting for Your Rights
Partners John Hipskind and Brady McAninch are deeply saddened by the tragic events that unfolded near Highland. And they are fully committed and resolved to seek justice for the survivors. As the personal injury attorneys explained in their interview with KSDK 5 On Your Side, they intend to “continue shedding light on the crash to raise awareness about road safety and the possible risks involved in public transportation.”
The case will be challenging and could take years to resolve, but the pair are determined to hold those at fault accountable.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of someone else’s negligence in an accident, contact Hipskind & McAninch to review your case.
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