Summerville, SC Bus Accident Lawyer
When buses get in accidents, the destruction they cause is likely to be more significant than accidents involving other kinds of smaller motor vehicles like cars or SUVs. Victims of bus crashes often have very serious injuries that require expensive medical care.
It is not fair for you to be left holding the bag after an accident that was someone else’s fault. If you were involved in a bus accident, we can help. Our lawyers have handled many of these cases, so we know what it takes to effectively fight for the financial compensation you deserve after a bus accident.
Call (803) 219-4906 and talk with Rice, Murtha & Psoras’s bus accident lawyers about your claim.
What Should You Do After a Bus Accident in Summerville, SC?
Bus accidents are sudden and scary experiences. In the moment of the crash, many people will “freeze” and not know what to do. Having a plan of action for a bus accident can help you navigate that dynamic and chaotic situation while also improving your chances of success in a possible future bus accident lawsuit you want to file.
Of course, our bus accident legal team knows that all bus accidents are different, and you may be too injured to take much action after a crash. That is ok. We will be able to work with whatever situation you find yourself in after a bus accident and will build you the strongest claim we can.
What to Do Right After a Bus Accident
The most important thing right after a bus accident is to make sure that emergency responders know about it. Make sure either you or someone else nearby dials 911 so that first responder can get to the scene of the accident. Once they arrive, follow all of their instructions. If you need to go to the hospital right away, then do that and do not worry about accomplishing anything else.
If you are able to say at the scene of the accident, though, you should try and collect as much information about it as you can. Record video footage and take photos of the crash and surrounding area, interview eyewitnesses and record their statements, and get the name, license plate number, and insurance information of any drivers involved. Finally, make sure to give your side of the story to any responding police officers, as that information can be added to a police report, which can be used to help your case.
What to Do Days after a Bus Accident
There are also important steps to take after the proverbial dust settles after your bus accident. It is usually a good idea to seek follow-up medical care, even if first responders said you were fine. This is because some injuries may take a couple of days or weeks to manifest, and they may have gone unnoticed by EMTs or other personnel. In addition, you should try to consolidate any information you got after the crash and start looking for legal counsel to help you with a potential lawsuit.
What to Do Weeks and Months After a Bus Accident
Once your short-term needs are taken care of, there are two main things you need to focus on in the weeks and months following a bus accident. First and most importantly, you should focus on recovering from any injuries you sustained. Second, if you want to pursue legal action, you need to get your case in on time. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530, you must file your claim within three years of your bus accident, or you waive your right to sue or collect damages.
While three years may feel like a long time, in reality, you have to get to a point where you are sufficiently recovered from injuries to focus on legal action, and our attorneys need time to prepare your claim for filing. Therefore, you should try to get in touch with our attorneys as soon as you can to ensure your claim is filed on time.
Causes of Bus Accidents in Summerville, SC
Bus accidents happen for all sorts of reasons. While it may initially seem unimportant why your accident occurred, that information is critical to your claim. You can only file against parties that caused your injuries, so knowing the causes of your accident can inform who you file against.
Bus Drivers
Many bus accidents are the result of bus driver negligence. Bus drivers are negligent in many ways, but it ultimately boils down to a bus driver either violating a traffic law or doing something no reasonable bus driver would do under the circumstances. For example, speeding would be negligent behavior because it is against the law, whereas overly aggressive driving may not necessarily be against the law but could be found to be unreasonable behavior and, therefore, negligence.
Other Drivers
Other motorists can also be responsible for bus accidents. For example, if another driver runs a red light and impacts a bus you are on, injuring you and other people, that driver would be responsible for the accident, and you can sue them in court.
Bus Companies
You are also able to sue bus transit companies after bus accidents under many circumstances. The law lets you sue employers for the negligent actions of their employees as long as you can prove that the employee was doing a work-related activity at the time they hurt you. For example, a bus driver ferrying passengers would be doing something related to their job, so you can sue that bus driver’s employer if the driver caused an accident.
Chat with Our Summerville, SC Bus Accident Attorneys about Your Claim
Call the bus accident attorneys from Rice, Murtha & Psoras by dialing (803) 219-4906 and start talking with us about your case today.