Bus Accident Lawyers in Newberry, South Carolina
At Strom Law Firm, our Newberry Bus Accident Lawyers fight for compensation from negligent bus drivers, their employers, and transportation companies. We understand South Carolina’s transportation statutes and the complex legal questions that can arise in bus accident cases, including navigating multiple injured parties who have suffered numerous and significant injuries. Strom Law Firm’s Newberry bus accident lawyers will devote time and resources to fight for fair compensation for their injured clients. We will take the steps necessary to hold bus companies accountable for the injuries they cause due to their negligence.
In a city like Newberry, which is home to Newberry College, many residents and students depend heavily on public transportation. Although this is generally a safe mode of transportation, bus accidents do occur. Due to its large weight and size, a bus may cause significant damage to a pedestrian or automobile. An accident involving a bus can lead to catastrophic injury or death. These devastating injuries can leave a victim with mounting medical bills and treatment, lost earnings, and serious/permanent disability.
2016 data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Large Truck and Bus Crash studies show the extent that buses contribute to the mortality rate in United States vehicular accidents. NHTSA conducted a 10-year study, School-Transportation-Related Crashes, documenting an average of 128 fatalities every year. Driver error is often the primary factor.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Bus Accident?
Bus drivers may be found at-fault in bus accidents. Examples of negligent operation by bus drivers include distracted driving, reckless behavior, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and other risky behavior. In addition, since a bus is usually a commercial vehicle, the driver may be held to a higher standard than a non-commercial driver. In addition, people and companies beyond the driver may be responsible:
- Employers: Bus companies are often responsible because they make hiring decisions and have control over the budget, training, scope, and actions of their drivers. If employers know their employee has prior driving violations, has ever been accused of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, has any other safety infractions or poor record, the employer may be liable for claims related to negligent hiring and negligent entrustment.
- Bus Owner: When a bus owner improperly maintains their vehicle or does not fix known defects, they may be exposed to liability.
- Mechanics: Mechanics may contribute to an accident if they negligently complete maintenance and repair.
- Bus Manufacturer: Sometimes, a bus or its parts are defective. If a bus defect causes an accident, the manufacturer can be liable for damages.
What Damages Can Be Recovered for Bus Accident Injuries in Newberry SC?
Economic damages include:
- Current and future medical bills
- Mobility devices or prosthesis
- Current and future income
- Physical or mental therapy
- Medical transportation costs
Non-economic damages consider the effects of an injury on a person’s life, such as:
- Loss of ordinary functions
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Ongoing disabilities
- Impact on relationships
Will the responsible party try to Avoid Payment?
Insurance companies often try to convince victims to accept a quick settlement of a low amount. They may request recorded statements early on when an injured party does not yet know the full extent of the injuries or may request access to protected health information, all in an effort to reduce or otherwise deny a valid claim. Additional tactics can include:
- Denying Any Negligence: The defendants and their insurance company do not accept liability for an accident.
- Comparative Negligence: Arguing that the fault is either that of the injured party or of a third party;
- Denying The Existence Of A Defect: A defective product’s manufacturer will likely defend their company through denials of the existence of the defect.
- Disputing Damages: The attorneys of negligent parties who have no real liability defense often deny causation of the plaintiff’s injuries or call into question the extent or mere existence of the plaintiff’s injuries.
Common Types of Bus Accident Injuries
In addition to causing harm to passengers onboard, when a bus causes a pedestrian accident, scooter accident, or car accident, the individuals on the other end of the accident can sustain life-altering injuries. This is mainly caused by a bus’ weight and size. When bus accidents occur, they may cause serious injuries, such as:
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Disc injury
- Child Injury
- Muscle tear and strain
- Spinal cord injury
- Broken or fractured bones
- Amputation
- Wrongful Death
- Damaged organs
- Burn
Contact Our Newberry Bus Accident Injury Lawyers Today for a Free, No-Obligation Consultation
If you have been injured in a bus accident in Newberry, Newberry County, or anywhere else across South Carolina, contact us. We offer free case evaluations, and we do not collect a fee unless we recover for you. Contact the experienced Newberry bus accident lawyers at 803-252-4800 or contact us online and find out how we are able to help you. We are located in Barrister Hall 6923 N. Trenholm Rd, Columbia SC 29206-1707
