Columbia, SC Bus Accident Lawyer

Buses are important parts of our transportation systems. Whether you are taking public transit or booking a private charter bus, buses are on the road every day. Injuries may be severe in bus accidents, and you should speak to an attorney.

Taking legal action is a hard step, as a lawsuit is a daunting endeavor. You should give serious consideration to starting a lawsuit if you experienced physical injuries, incurred costs you cannot afford, and want justice for the harm you have endured. Our legal team can assist you in getting justice by determining who is responsible, finding evidence to prove it, and getting you fair compensation for your injuries. Your time to file might already be slipping away. Plaintiffs typically have 3 years from the accident date to file an injury lawsuit. Talk to an attorney soon, as it might take time to complete your case.

For an initial review of your case for free, call (803) 219-4906 and talk to our bus accident attorneys at Rice, Murtha & Psoras.

Reasons You Should Take Legal Action After a Bus Accident in Columbia, SC

It is very common for injured victims to hesitate before initiating legal action. This is often understandable, as beginning a lawsuit can be a difficult and intimidating undertaking. Even if you are still unsure about what to do, talk to a lawyer about it. Our bus accident lawyers can go over your case and help you make a more informed decision.

One good reason to file a lawsuit for a bus accident is your injuries. Bus accidents are not usually minor events. Many bus accidents are large, catastrophic collisions where multiple people are badly hurt. Buses are huge vehicles. When they crash into something, people almost always get hurt. Your injuries might be very painful and even life-altering. A lawsuit can help you get back on your feet while you recover from these injuries.

Another main concern among bus accident victims is money. Your injuries likely require costly medical care. You might have lost valuable personal belongings or totaled your car. On top of it all, you might be unable to return to work for a while, making it hard to keep up with mounting expenses. A lawsuit might get you financial compensation to cover these costs.

Even if your injuries make a full recovery and you can afford the costs associated with the crash, you might still want to take legal action to get a sense of justice and closure. Bus accidents are frightening, and victims might be left traumatized. It can take time to get over something so terrible, and a lawsuit might provide you with some much-needed closure.

How a Bus Accident Attorney in Columbia, SC Can Help You Prepare Your Case

Preparing your case might take some time, and you should talk to an attorney about your case as soon as possible. Beginning a lawsuit requires us to draft a formal complaint to file in court. The complaint must contain very specific details. If anything is lacking or vague, the court might reject the case, and we will lose precious time starting all over again.

First, we need details about how the accident happened and who is responsible. In the complaint, we must explain where and how the bus accident occurred. We need specifics, including the precise location, the name of the bus driver, and details about anyone else involved. We also need some information about how we believe the accident happened. We cannot vaguely state that the bus driver caused the accident. What did they do, specifically? Were they on the phone? Maybe they were speeding or driving recklessly. We need to include this information in the complaint.

Next, we need evidence to support your claims. In a civil trial, we must prove your claims by a preponderance of the evidence. When we file the complaint, we do not necessarily need enough evidence to meet our burden of proof. We only need enough evidence to show that you have a valid cause of action.

We must also include information about damages and what we believe they are worth. We also need evidence to back up your damages. Only damages included in the complaint may be compensated if you win. If you forget or undervalue certain damages, you risk losing out on compensation.

When to Contact an Attorney About Your Columbia, SC Bus Accident Case

One important detail people sometimes overlook when considering a lawsuit is the statute of limitations. This law imposes a strict time limit on when a case must be filed. If your case is not filed by the statutorily imposed deadline, you might lose your right to file the case at all.

In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, like those in many bus accident cases, is under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530(5). Plaintiffs have 3 years from the date of the bus accident to file their cases. A 3-year time limit might seem like more than enough time, but it can be a surprisingly short limitation period. It might take months to prepare your case, and you should get started with your lawyer as soon as possible.

The statute of limitations does not always apply the same way to all plaintiffs. Under very specific circumstances, you might have the statute of limitations tolled, giving you additional time. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-40, a plaintiff who was a minor at the time of the bus accident may have 3 years from their 18th birthday.

A plaintiff with a disability – usually a mental impairment that prevents them from understanding their rights – has 3 years from the date their disability is removed. However, a disabled plaintiff may not extend the deadline by more than 5 years. Once the disability is removed, the plaintiff must file their case within 1 year.

Reach Out to Our Bus Accident Lawyers for a Review of Your Case

For a free initial evaluation of your claims, call (803) 219-4906 and talk to our bus accident attorneys at Rice, Murtha & Psoras.