Need an Injury Attorney in North Carolina for Your Bus Accident?
Every year, bus accidents occur throughout the state of North Carolina. Though many involve buses carrying adult passengers, there are also many school bus accidents. In fact, a report stated that school bus accidents alone account for $5.5 million a year in medical bills and property damages! In only 5 years in North Carolina, about 4,700 bus accident victims filed claims against the state. With so many bus accidents taking place in the state, you may wonder what you can do if you have been injured in one of these accidents. We can help.
What Are Common Carrier Laws?
Have you ever ridden on a passenger train, taxicab, or a bus? If you have, then you have ridden on something known as a “common carrier.” Common carriers are any vehicle that makes it a business to transport people and goods from one place to another for a fee. They are in charge of carrying many people across cities and states every day, which means that they are tasked with the highest degree of care when it comes to keeping passengers safe at all costs.
So what if a bus driver has failed to maintain their vehicle? What if they have broken steps or a loose tire and knew about the condition, but did nothing to fix it? If you walked to the front of the bus and fell down the steps because they were broken, or got into an accident because of a tire issue that could have easily been resolved, you could hold the driver liable for your injuries. You could also be compensated if the driver acted outright negligently. This happens in cases of speeding, driving badly in adverse weather conditions, avoiding traffic lights, and more.
When Negligence Plays a Role in Your Bus Accident Case
Every day in North Carolina, bus accidents are caused by a driver’s negligence. Not every accident can be prevented, but they can if drivers take special precautions to adhere to the rules of the road. Bus drivers are expected to abide by the highest duty of care, but sometimes they will speed to get to where they need to go, or drive while they are fatigued, or even fail to maintain their vehicles. You may believe that if a driver causes you injury, you will file a claim only against them. This is not true. Sometimes, in fact, you may file a claim against the bus company if they hired a driver with a bad driving record, or failed to properly train the driver before letting them enter the roadways.
One of the issues you may find in these cases is that many common carriers are owned by governmental agencies, which may bring complications to your case. It means that there are time limits in which you must file if you want to receive compensation, known as the “statute of limitations.” You should always have an attorney on your side that can make sure that you are filing correctly to give notice to these agencies and meet the limitations on your case so that you don’t miss out on the compensation you deserve. An attorney can also help you gather the evidence that will be beneficial in your case.
If Your Child Has Sustained Injuries
Has your child been injured in a school bus accident? You may be able to file a claim for compensation on their behalf. Many of these cases involving children are easier to litigate because school bus drivers must always care for children to the best of their ability when they are transporting them from one place to another. Children are offered special protections under the law.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a bus accident, you have a right to compensation. Call an experienced attorney who will help you through every aspect of your case, from initial filing to the settlement negotiations or hearing. You will be pleased with your results.