Myrtle Beach Bus Accident Lawyer
Taking the bus can be a huge help for those who cannot or do not want to drive themselves. Whether you are riding a public bus or a private charter or tour bus, accidents are possible, and injuries might be severe. An attorney can go over your case and help you get fair compensation from those responsible for the crash.
Bus accidents happen more often than you might realize, and passengers and drivers in other vehicles are often badly hurt. Public and private bus lines run through and near Myrtle Beach, making accidents a possibility almost anywhere. Often, negligent bus drivers are to blame, but their employers might also be implicated under the right circumstances. If the bus is part of the local or state public transportation system, the government might be implicated, and your case might be a bit more challenging. Regardless of who is responsible, you might be dealing with serious injuries and damages, and a lot of financial compensation might be at stake.
Contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras by calling (803) 219-4906 and receive a confidential case assessment for free from our bus accident lawyers.
How a Bus Accident Might Occur Around Myrtle Beach
While owning their own vehicle is a goal for many people, taking the bus is still a popular form of transportation. As such, accidents sometimes happen, and victims might be left with serious injuries and high costs. It is best to speak to a lawyer about your case quickly to get fair compensation as soon as possible.
Public transportation is common in many cities and towns throughout the United States, including Myrtle Beach, SC. In this area, residents and tourists may take buses provided by the Waccamaw Regional Transportation Authority. These buses, operating as Coast RTA, take people to and from Myrtle Beach on a daily basis. If you are injured while taking the bus with Coast RTA, the government might be implicated in your case, and you might need our bus accident attorneys to help you file a claim against a governmental entity.
Private buses are also found in and around Myrtle Beach. People might take a Greyhound or another private bus line to the beach for a vacation. Many others might take tour buses or charter private buses for private events, like weddings or corporate functions. Since these are private entities, they may be held liable in much the same way as any other private person or business.
People Responsible for Bus Accidents in Myrtle Beach
Bus accidents are not exactly isolated incidents. Numerous people and drivers are often connected to the accident, and determining who is responsible and who might be another victim is often difficult. While negligent bus drivers are common culprits, their employers might also share some blame.
Bus Drivers
Many accidents are caused by something the bus driver did or did not do. For example, maybe the bus driver was distracted or tired and lost focus, causing a bad accident. Maybe they were not properly trained and made a simple mistake that caused the accident. Maybe they had a few drinks before starting work and should never have been behind the wheel. Anything is possible, and the bus driver should almost always be heavily scrutinized.
We should also consider how other drivers might have played a role in the accident. Maybe the bus driver swerved and crashed because another negligent driver cut them off on the highway. Depending on the circumstances, both drivers might be held liable.
Private Bus Companies
When suing a negligent bus driver for causing an accident, we should think about including their employer in the case, too. Under the legal theory known as respondeat superior, injured plaintiffs may sue an employer for injuries caused by a negligent employee as long as the employee’s negligence happened while they were performing typical job duties.
If you were in an accident with a bus owned by a private bus company, it is relatively simple to include them in the case. Any private business or entity may be sued like a private person. It is often a good idea to include the bus company in a bus accident case because the bus company likely has more resources to pay for your compensation.
Public or Governmental Entities
Your case might be more complicated if the bus involved in the accident was part of public transportation. In such a case, the bus driver’s employer is the government, and including them in the case might be more of a challenge. According to S.C. Code Ann. § 15-78-80(d), you must file your verified claim with the relevant governmental entity within 1 year of the crash.
According to § 15-78-80(e), the government has 180 days to consider the claim and either allow or disallow the claim. If the claim is allowed, the government accepts it and may offer a settlement or some other legal remedy or compensation. If the claim is disallowed, it means the government refutes it, and you have 3 years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If the government does not respond to the claim by the end of the 180 days, it is considered disallowed.
Injuries and Damages in Bus Accident Cases in Myrtle Beach
Injuries in bus crashes are known for being severe. You, other passengers, and other drivers affected by the accident might have life-altering injuries. Broken bones, lacerations, head injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and damage to your neck and back are all possible. The more severe your injuries, the greater your damages may be.
If you are suing a public entity for the accident, such as Coast RTA or a similar governmental entity, your damages might be restricted by law. According to S.C. Code Ann. § 15-78-120(a)(1), a governmental entity may not be liable for more than $300,000 for a single accident. If this is not enough to cover your costs, talk to your attorney about other possible options that might help you get the compensation you need.
Speak to Our Bus Accident Attorneys in Myrtle Beach
Contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras by calling (803) 219-4906 and receive a confidential case assessment for free from our bus accident lawyers.
