From CARTA to the Charleston County School District, Greyhound, and transportation for tours and churches, buses are a common sight on roadways around Charleston County. While buses are typically a safe source of transportation, accidents can happen due to the negligence of the bus driver or others. These crashes often result in injuries to the occupants of other vehicles. A Charleston County bus accident lawyer has an important role in helping those who have been injured to receive compensation through the personal injury claims process.
All drivers have a legal duty when operating a vehicle on a roadway to take actions to avoid causing harm to others. Those who drive buses and the companies that offer bus transportation to the public have an even greater legal duty and must comply with federal requirements to ensure safety. One of these requirements is an increased amount of liability insurance coverage to compensate those who are injured if a crash occurs.
When a person is injured in a bus accident, they must prove that the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. Negligence is proven by gathering evidence to show:
A Charleston County attorney may help you gather different types of evidence to prove negligence in a bus wreck. This may include:
While the statute of limitations for most types of personal injury claims is three years from the date of the crash, some bus carriers are governmental entities with different timelines for the claims process.
When a person seeks compensation for injuries sustained in a bus accident, they will typically file the claim against the insurance policy held by the company or agency that owns and operates the bus. They are able to seek compensation for the financial harm they suffered due to the wreck, such as medical bills, loss of earnings, and damage to their vehicle. They can also seek compensation for the psychological harm they suffered, such as physical pain and loss of the enjoyment of life.
An experienced Charleston County lawyer could help a claimant determine the value of their case by considering actual expenses, as well as other factors, such as the severity and permanence of their injury, the level of carelessness that led to the bus accident, and the amount of insurance coverage that is available for the claim.
Buses are massive vehicles and can produce significant injuries to the occupants of passenger cars when involved in wrecks. If you were injured in a bus crash, it is important to have someone on your side who can guide you through the claims process and fight for your right to the compensation you need. Let us talk about your legal options. Contact us for your free case evaluation with a Charleston County bus accident lawyer.