Charleston Bus Accident Lawyer

Have you been injured in a bus accident in Charleston, South Carolina? If so, don’t hesitate to call Ty Robinson Law Firm. Contact our law office in Charleston today at (843) 278-2222 to learn more about working with our Charleston bus accident lawyers.

You have rights, but taking on a powerful bus service, insurance company, or government agency is no small feat. Ty Robinson Law Firm is a top-rated personal injury law firm known for passionate, honest, aggressive legal representation.

Our case results include millions of dollars in life-changing monetary awards for injury victims and families in Charleston. Now, we’re here to help you make things right after a catastrophic bus accident. Your first consultation is free.

How Ty Robinson Law Firm Helps Bus Accident Victims in Charleston, SC

How Ty Robinson Law Firm, LLC Helps Bus Accident Victims in Charleston, SC

You’ve got a long road to recovery ahead of you. Give yourself the time you need to get better and increase the odds of a meaningful financial recovery by hiring an experienced Charleston personal injury lawyer to handle your bus accident case.

Choosing Ty Robinson Law Firm puts an experienced legal advocate who is genuinely invested in your story and future in your corner. You’ll benefit from our extensive experience handling complex personal injury disputes and our law firm’s considerable resources as we litigate your claim.

Count on us to:

  • Review results of investigations conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and other government agencies
  • Independently investigate the circumstances surrounding your bus accident
  • Analyze dash cam footage, black box data, driver records, cell phone records, witness statements, photographs of the scene, property damage, medical records, and other relevant evidence 
  • Work closely with trusted expert witnesses as we build your case
  • Calculate what your bus accident case is likely worth
  • Actively seek a maximum settlement offer during negotiations with the defense
  • Explain the potential pros and cons of accepting an offer you receive
  • Bring your bus accident lawsuit to trial if the defense won’t take responsibility for your injuries

We’re here to make sure your rights are protected and that the bus company makes things right after your life-changing accident. Our top-rated legal team will handle all aspects of your legal claim and provide the support and guidance you need through the process. 

We represent Charleston bus accident victims on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t have to worry about what it costs to get the help you need. We only get paid if we win compensation for you.

Call our Charleston, SC, law office today to learn more. Your first consultation is free.

What Causes Bus Accidents?

Like other types of traffic accidents in Charleston, collisions involving buses tend to happen when someone is negligent.

Some of the most commonly reported causes of bus accidents include:

  • Speeding
  • Braking errors
  • Driver inattention
  • Driver inexperience
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Blind spot errors
  • Unsafe merging
  • Failing to yield the right of way
  • Stopping illegally
  • Drug and alcohol use
  • Drowsy driving
  • Vehicle malfunctions and defects
  • Road defects

Our South Carolina bus accident attorney will coordinate a prompt investigation into your crash so that we can fully understand how and why it happened. When the cause is identified, our legal team can determine who’s at fault and work to recover the compensation you need to cover your medical bills, make up for a loss of income, and offset other damages.

Who Could Be Liable For a Charleston Bus Accident?

Depending on the specific cause(s) of your bus accident, several parties might be liable – or financially responsible – for your resulting damages.

Bus Driver

Buses are common carriers, which means that bus drivers assume a heightened responsibility to transport passengers safely. As a result, mistakes that might not ordinarily result in liability can be considered negligent – such as speeding or driving in violation of hours of service limitations.

Private Bus Company

Private bus companies that operate in Charleston have an obligation to hire safe drivers, oversee safe bus operations, and maintain a safe fleet of vehicles. If a bus company hires an unqualified driver, ignores important state or federal busing regulations, or fails to conduct regular inspections and maintenance, it can be liable if those mistakes contribute to a bus accident.

Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority

The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) operates buses throughout the city. As a government agency, CARTA is typically immune from civil litigation – that is, unless its negligence contributes to a bus accident in which a person is injured or killed. 

Bus Manufacturer

Not all bus accidents happen because someone is negligent. Sometimes, bus defects – like faulty brakes or tires – can contribute to or cause an accident. In these situations, the company that manufactured the bus or the defective component might be strictly liable for resulting damages.

Third-Party Motorist

Bus drivers aren’t the only motorists who can cause accidents. Buses share the road with a lot of other vehicles – including passenger cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, and trucks. When a driver of one of these other vehicles is negligent, it can cause a crash with a bus. The driver would then be liable for their contribution.

Can Shared Fault Limit My South Carolina Bus Accident Settlement?

Yes. South Carolina operates under a system of modified comparative negligence with a 51 percent bar to recovery. So, sharing most of the blame for a bus accident will be a complete bar to a financial recovery.

You can, however, recover a limited monetary award if your negligence is less than 51 percent. In these situations, damages are reduced in proportion to your shared fault. For example, if you were 10 percent at fault for a car accident involving a bus in Charleston, you should expect to recover 90 percent of the value of your personal injury claim.

Our Charleston bus accident attorney will strategize ways to handle claims of shared fault that might be raised by the defense. The less liability you’re assigned, the more money we’ll be able to recover on your behalf when your bus accident case is resolved.

What Damages Can Be Awarded to Bus Accident Victims in Charleston, South Carolina?

Whether you submit a claim with the bus company’s insurer or file a personal injury lawsuit with the local ​​Charleston County court clerk, you’ll be able to request compensatory damages for your losses and suffering.

In South Carolina, compensatory awards can include economic and non-economic damages, each of which is intended to help you handle different aspects of life after an accident. 

Economic damages are paid to offset the current and future financial costs of your bus accident, such as:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Diminished earning capacity
  • Property damage
  • Nursing care
  • Out-of-pocket costs

Non-economic damages are awarded to help you cope with more subjective suffering, such as:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of companionship
  • Disability
  • Emotional distress
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Chronic physical pain
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Embarrassment
  • Disfigurement and scarring

Punitive damages can also be awarded if there’s compelling evidence of a defendant’s intent to cause harm or conscious disregard for your safety.

Our Charleston personal injury attorney will work closely with experts in medicine, accident reconstruction, rehabilitation, forensics, and other specialties as he builds your case. He’ll rely on their expertise and insight to fully understand the ways in which your life has changed since getting into the bus accident. Their input can be invaluable in leveraging a top-dollar settlement or jury award on your behalf.

Common Bus Accident Injuries

Bus passengers, pedestrians, and occupants of other vehicles can all sustain serious physical injuries in a crash, including:

  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Chest injuries
  • Crushing injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Paralysis 
  • Back injuries
  • Herniated disc injuries
  • Nerve damage
  • Neck injuries
  • Whiplash 
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Concussions
  • Eye injuries
  • Leg injuries
  • Amputation injuries
  • Burn injuries
  • Catastrophic injuries
  • Wrongful death of a loved one

Do not hesitate to report your bus accident to the Charleston Police Department and seek prompt medical treatment. These steps will help to document your accident and injuries, as well as mitigate the potential severity of the trauma you’ve suffered.

How Long Will I Have to File a Bus Accident Lawsuit in South Carolina?

South Carolina applies a three-year statute of limitations to most bus accident cases, including matters of wrongful death. However, there could be exceptions (such as if a government entity is involved), meaning you might have less time to initiate your claim. 

If you miss the filing deadline, you lose the ability to hold a negligent bus driver, bus company, manufacturer, or other party accountable for your considerable losses. 

Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Charleston Bus Accident Lawyer

You do not have to struggle with the aftermath of a bus accident in Charleston, SC, on your own. Call Ty Robinson Law Firm for help today. Our Charleston bus accident lawyer is a passionate legal advocate who’s ready to help you demand the financial justice you need and deserve.

Our law firm has helped clients recover millions of dollars in life-changing financial settlements and jury awards. Now, we’re prepared to do everything in our power to make things right for you, too. Call our Charleston law office today to set a time for an initial case evaluation at no charge.

Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Charleston, SC

Ty Robinson Law Firm – Charleston Law Office
28 Broad St Suite 204-2,
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 278-2222

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