Bus Accident Attorneys in Orangeburg, SC
If you have an Orangeburg Bus Accident case, contact an experienced Orangeburg Bus Accident Lawyers like Bakari Sellars can help you navigate your case.
In a city like Orangeburg, many commuters and students rely on public transportation. Although they are a generally safe mode of transportation, buses are not immune to accidents. A bus’ capacity to cause damage is much larger than that of a car involved in a car accident due to its weight and size.
Our experienced Orangeburg Bus Accident Lawyers can help. A bus accident has the potential to lead to catastrophic injury or death to those on the receiving end of the massive impact. This can, unfortunately, leave an injured victim with mounting medical bills, treatment, and many other life-altering things. For a lot of victims, this looks like a loss of earnings, and serious or permanent disability.
Two thousand sixteen 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.
At Strom Law Firm, we 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. We have experience handling cases with multiple injured parties who have suffered significant injuries.
Strom Law Firm attorneys will devote time and resources to fight for fair compensation on behalf of our injured clients. We take the necessary steps to hold bus companies accountable for the injuries they cause due to their negligence or other wrongful behavior.
Common Types of Bus Accident Injuries
In addition to causing harm to passengers on-board, when a bus crashes into pedestrians, cyclists, or passenger vehicles, the individuals on the other end of the accident can sustain life-altering injuries. This is most likely due to the weight and size of the bus. Similar to those suffered in scooter accidents, bus accidents cause serious injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Disc injury
- Muscle tear and strain
- Spinal cord injury
- Child Injury
- Broken or fractured bones
- Amputation
- Wrongful Death
- Damaged organs
- Burn
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Bus Accident?
Many times after the investigations of these bus accidents are complete, and the driver is found to have been negligent or at-fault. Examples of negligent operation by bus drivers include distracted driving, reckless behavior, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and other risky behavior.
Unlike most of the vehicles involved in other pedestrian accidents, a bus is usually a commercial vehicle. Due to this, the driver may be held to a higher standard than a non-commercial driver. People and companies beyond the driver may also 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, or 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 an Orangeburg Bus Accident?
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 injury complications on somebody’s life. These can include:
- Loss of ordinary functions
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Ongoing disabilities
- Impact on relationships
Will the responsible party try to Avoid Payment?
Unfortunately, insurance companies often try to convince accident victims to accept a quick settlement of a low amount. They may request recorded statements early on. They may also request access to protected health information, all to reduce or otherwise deny a valid claim. Additional tactics that are used 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.
Contact Our Orangeburg Bus Accident Injury Lawyers Today for a Free, No-Obligation Consultation
If you have been injured in a bus accident in Orangeburg, Orangeburg County, or anywhere else in South Carolina, contact us. Our Orangeburg bus accident lawyers offer free case evaluations, and we do not collect a fee unless we recover for you. Contact the experienced legal team at Strom Law Firm at 803-252-4800 or contact us online to find out how we can help.
