Bus Accident Lawyers in South Carolina
At Strom Law Firm, we fight for compensation from negligent bus drivers, their employers, and transportation companies. The South Carolina bus accident lawyers at Strom Law Firm will devote time and resources to fight for fair compensation on behalf of our injured clients. We understand South Carolina’s transportation statutes and the complex legal questions that can arise in bus accident cases,. We take the necessary steps to hold bus companies accountable for the injuries they cause by their negligence or other wrongful behavior.
In a growing state like South Carolina, many commuters and students depend heavily on public transportation. Although buses are generally a safe mode of transportation, bus accidents do occur. Bus accidents, like car accidents, can result in devastating injuries, leaving an injured victim with mounting medical bills and treatment, lost earnings, and serious or permanent disability.
2016 data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Large Truck and Bus Crash studies show the extent to which 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 in such heartbreaking events.
Common Types of Bus Accident Injuries
In addition to causing harm to passengers onboard, when a bus crashes into pedestrians, cyclists, or passenger vehicles, the individuals on the other end of the accident can sustain life-altering injuries. When bus accidents occur, they can cause serious injuries including:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Disc injury
- Muscle tear and strain
- Child Injury
- Amputation
- Broken or fractured bones
- Wrongful Death
- Damaged organs
- Burn
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Bus Accident?
Following the investigation of many bus accidents, 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. An experienced South Carolina Bus Accident Lawyers near me at the Strom Law Firm, LLC can help. In addition, since a bus is usually a commercial vehicle, the driver may be held to a higher standard than a non-commercial driver, such as the driver in a scooter accident. 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.
- Mechanics: Mechanics may contribute to an accident if they negligently complete maintenance and repair.
- Bus Owner: When a bus owner improperly maintains his or her vehicle or does not fix known defects, he or she may be exposed to liability.
- Bus Manufacturer: Sometimes a bus and its parts are defective. If a bus defect causes an accident, the manufacturer can be liable for damages.
Will the responsible party try to Avoid Payment?
Insurance companies across South Carolina often try to convince victims to accept a quick settlement of a low amount. Victims may have experienced this previously if they were involved in other pedestrian accidents. Requests may be made by insurance companies to record statements early on when an injured party does not yet know the full extent of the injuries. They may also 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.
What Damages Can Be Recovered for Bus Accident Injuries?
Economic damages include:
- Current and future medical bills
- Physical or mental therapy
- Mobility devices or prosthesis
- Current and future income
- Medical transportation costs
Non-economic damages consider the effects of injury complications on somebody’s life, like:
- Loss of ordinary functions
- Ongoing disabilities
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Impact on relationships
Contact Our South Carolina Bus Accident Lawyers Today for a Free, No-Obligation Consultation
If you have been injured in a bus accident anywhere 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 South Carolina bus accident lawyers at 803-252-4800 or online and find out how we can help you.
