South Carolina Bus Accident Attorney

South Carolina bus accident lawyer

Bus accidents in South Carolina can cause serious injuries and fatalities. These forms of mass transportation should never be a risk, but unfortunately, there are far too many bus accidents in South Carolina. These vehicles should be well-maintained and the drivers should be highly trained and cautious. However, people are negligent every day. If you or a loved on were hurt in a bus accident, contact a South Carolina bus accident lawyer at Keibler Law Group. Bus accidents often involve complex legal work because of the possibility of severe personal injury damages (dozens of injured people). You need the help of an experienced bus accident lawyer to get the compensation you and your family deserve.

What safety regulations do buses have to follow in South Carolina?

All accidents are preventable. There are federal statutes and regulations that impact buses of all types. Both the bus drivers and their employers must follow these rules and regulations to ensure passenger safety. Bus accidents require investigative work to gather evidence. In addition, if the bus is owned by the state (schools, cities, or other government entities), there are other concerns such as statutory damage caps and specific time limitations. Some federal regulations that bus drivers and their employers must follow include:

Hiring unqualified drivers
Lacks of maintenance
Bus speed
Driver fatigue/driving too long
Routine and random drug testing

Bus drivers and their employers are required by law to carry substantial amounts of insurance to pay for the passengers’ damages in the event of an accident. While these policies can be large (for example, many carry $5 million policies), that many can go quickly in a bus accident when there are multiple people injured in the bus. This is another reason why you should contact an experienced South Carolina bus accident attorney immediately after you or a loved on is injured in a bus accident so you can receive the compensation necessary to cover all of your damages.

What are the most common causes of bus accidents in South Carolina?

Bus accidents are required to take training and carry certain licenses, however, accidents happen. They are often the result of human error and negligence. In other instances, accidents can occur because of road conditions or other outside factors. Some of the leading causes of bus accidents include:

Distracted driving including using a cell phone or handheld device
Speeding/excessive speeds and reckless driving
Traffic law violations
Failure to yield the right of way
Running red lights/stop signs
Dangerous driving maneuvers (unsafe turns, unlawful passing, etc.)
Hours-of-service violations and fatigued driving
Driving while intoxicated/under the influence of alcohol and drugs
Poor or insufficient bus maintenance
Lack of adequate bus repairs
Defective buses/bus parts and defective roadway design or construction
Third-party negligence, such as another careless driver on the road

Keibler Law Group works with top experts include accident reconstructionists and medical experts to determine liability and calculate the amount of damages. We work quickly to gather all available evidence and build a strong case to get the best results for your case.

If you are able, we recommend keeping a journal or daily log after a serious injury such as a bus accident. Journals help you remember what you may have felt at the time of the injury, help you recall details, feelings, your surroundings, and possible struggles you were facing. A journal can be in many forms – it can be handwritten, typed, spoken on your phone, video recorded. Journals can also help with mental health after a catastrophic injury.

Who is legally responsible for a bus accident in South Carolina?

Bus accidents require sophisticated lawyers because they can involve a number of responsible parties. Similar to truck accidents, bus accidents involve commercial motor vehicle regulations. Typically, bus drivers are operating under an employer. That employer, as well as the driver, are responsible for the accident and the injuries of the victims. Below is a non-exhaustive list of who may be liable for damages after a bus accident in South Carolina:

Bus driver
Bus driver’s employer (vicarious liability and through direct liability)
Company that owns or leases the bus
Maintenance or repair shop for negligent repairs
Manufacturer or distributor of the buss for a defective vehicle or part
Construction company for a defective roadway
Another driver for their negligent actions

There are several parties who may be responsible for your damages as a result of a bus accident in South Carolina. It is important to contact an experienced South Carolina bus accident attorney to help get you the maximum amount of compensation you deserve for your damages.

How much is my bus accident case worth in South Carolina?

Every case is different and, therefore, it depends. However, if you hire an experienced and creative attorney like Keibler Law Group, they can rely on top resources, experts, and technologies to convince a jury, the court, and opposing counsel to pay more. No one can determine how much any case is worth without first analyzing the facts. However, there are certain factors you can use to make an approximate estimation of your claim.

First, you must look at the “economic” damages or those you can quantify. Then you can recover additional, “non-economic” damages for pain and suffering and other damages that are more difficult to quantify. Finally, depending on the particular circumstances, you may be able to recover punitive damages – or damages designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter future bad actors.

The main factor that will affect the value of your claim is the damages, or losses you incurred. The more damages involved in the case, the more your claim is worth because you can be compensated for all of them. Some of the most common forms of damages include

Medical expenses
Future medical expenses
Future therapy treatments
Lost income
Pain and suffering
Loss of earning capacity
Permanent disfigurement or disability

Since buses are required to carry a significant amount of insurance, there is a fairly “large” pool of money to recover for your injuries. However, depending on the severity of the accident and the number of victims involved, that “pool” of money can quickly disappear as victims’ damages accumulate. It is important to contact an attorney quickly after a bus accident to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

What is a Contingency Fee?

How do I pay for the lawyer?

We work on a contingency fee basis meaning the victims we represent pay nothing at all unless we win. Once you receive money from either a settlement or verdict, we receive a certain percentage of that settlement or verdict. If your lawsuit is unsuccessful, you will not owe us any attorney fees. This allows the plaintiff to reap the rewards without risk of having to pay for a loss.

How long do I have to bring a claim for a bus accident in South Carolina?

Three years. Most likely you have three years from the date of the injury. In South Carolina, you have three years from the date of an accident or injury to file a personal injury lawsuit.

If the negligent party is a government entity such as a school or hospital, the South Carolina Tort Claims Act requires you sue within two years of the accident or injury. Contact an experienced South Carolina bus accident attorney today to see if you have a case.