From public buses to private charters, buses are an essential tool for transportation. However, when drivers act recklessly or carelessly behind the wheel, buses can also pose a serious risk of injury.
When you suffer bodily harm in a bus crash, you have the right to seek compensation. A skilled personal injury attorney could help you pursue the monetary award you need to pay for your recovery and get back on your feet. Reach out to a Kingstree bus accident lawyer at Whetstone Perkins & Fulda to get started.
Types of Bus Wrecks
Different types of buses travel across Kingstree each day. Some of these vehicles carry our most vulnerable populations as passengers, including schoolchildren and elders. Some buses that are commonly involved in accidents include:
- School buses
- City buses
- Private charters
- Airport shuttles
- Church buses
The type of bus involved in a collision is important when building a case for compensation, as it could help determine who bears legal liability. For example, the process of suing the owner of a privately-owned bus can be very different than pursuing legal action against the government. A knowledgeable Kingstree attorney could investigate the cause of a bus wreck to determine the best course of legal action for an injured survivor.
Common Bus Accident Injuries
Every bus accident is different, which means the nature of injuries that occur with these collisions can vary. While some bus accidents are relatively minor, other collisions can have life-altering consequences. Some common injuries associated with bus collisions include:
- Burns
- Broken arms or legs
- Cracked ribs
- Cuts and bruises
- Concussions
- Spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Paralysis
Typically, the worst injuries involve a bus striking another vehicle and its passengers. The size disparity between commercial buses and passenger cars is so great that these injuries are often devastating. An attorney could pursue civil action on behalf of motorists, bus passengers, or pedestrians injured in a crash.
Deadlines to File a Lawsuit
Bus wreck claims, like any personal injury caused by negligence, are governed by a legal deadline known as the statute of limitations. In most cases, the statute of limitations expires three years from the date of the bus crash. While there are limited situations where courts might extend this deadline, it is important to understand that filing after the deadline passes frequently comes with steep consequences.
The defendant in a bus accident case will likely file a motion to dismiss if the statute of limitations is violated. Outside of a few rare exceptions, the court will typically grant the motion and dismiss the case forever. Meeting filing deadlines is one of the pitfalls of a bus accident claim that could be avoided through the guidance of a diligent Kingstree lawyer.
Call an Experienced Kingstree Bus Accident Attorney Today
When you are involved in a bus crash, your next steps might not be clear. Your top priority should be getting medical attention for your injuries, but you should also be proactive about protecting and enforcing your legal rights.
It could be in your best interests to put your trust in a knowledgeable Kingstree bus accident lawyer. Reach out to an attorney at Whetstone Perkins & Fulda today to learn how we could help you manage your claim.
