We depend on buses to get us where we need to go, and they are a key part of our transportation infrastructure. However, when driven recklessly, they can cause significant physical and financial hardship for accident victims.
If you have been in a bus crash, you may have sustained serious injuries through no fault of your own. Medical bills can add up fast, and you may find yourself unable to work. A Hilton Head bus accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.
The Thumbs Up Guys at Miller, Dawson, Signal & Ward have recovered millions of dollars in awards for people in your situation. Our Hilton Head personal injury lawyers will fight for you so you can get your life back on track.
Common Causes of Hilton Head Bus Accidents
Most bus drivers are highly trained professionals who take their duties very seriously. However, in rare cases, a reckless or untrained bus driver can ruin lives. Some of the causes of bus crashes where the driver or bus company may be liable include:
- Fatigue: Overworked drivers performing long and monotonous shifts lack alertness and may have degraded reaction times.
- Speeding: Drivers may operate their buses at excessive speeds to stay on schedule.
- Reckless driving: Drivers who operate buses without regard for traffic laws pose a tremendous danger to the public.
- Mechanical problems: Poor maintenance can cause brake malfunctions, tire blowouts, and other issues that endanger the public.
- Hazardous weather: Drivers of large trucks and buses are duty-bound to drive cautiously on slick roads and in poor visibility.
- Inadequate training: Poorly trained or inexperienced drivers may lack the skills needed to operate a large bus safely.
Who Is Legally Responsible for a Bus Accident?
Depending on the circumstances of the crash, the party responsible for a bus crash could be one person, several people, or a company.
- The driver: If they operated the bus in a reckless, negligent, or illegal manner.
- The bus company: If they failed to maintain the bus to legal standards. In some situations, they may also be liable vicariously.
- The bus manufacturer: If the bus had defective equipment at the time of the accident.
- Other drivers: Other drivers may cause a bus crash through no fault of the bus driver.
Our legal team of Hilton Head bus accident attorneys can investigate the accident and determine who was at fault. This is a key step in determining the compensation you deserve.
Should You Take a Settlement for a Bus Accident?
It is usually not wise to take the first settlement offered by an insurance company, even if it seems like a lot of money. Remember, they will try to get out of a bad situation by paying you as little as possible.
Instead, talk to a Hilton Head bus accident lawyer and find out what your case is worth. We’ll dig into the circumstances of the accident and discover who was at fault. Then, we’ll take a look at your medical and financial hardships to arrive at a settlement that can make a difference in your life.
You can help by keeping detailed records and receipts of everything that happened because of the accident. A police report can help with your insurance claim, as can witness accounts and pictures of the accident scene.
How Much Is a Bus Accident Case Worth?
The settlement you may be able to recover when you are a victim in a bus accident depends on the specifics of your case. You can speak to our team to get a better idea of exactly where you stand when it comes to compensation.
Here are some of the factors that may come into play:
- The severity of your injuries: Generally, people who have suffered more extreme injuries tend to see larger settlement numbers.
- Medical expenses: These include, but are not limited to, emergency room visits, hospital stays, doctor visits, specialists, and physical therapy.
- Future medical expenses: The extent to which you will incur expenses for ongoing medical treatment or therapy.
- Lost wages: Wages lost due to your inability to attend work or perform your job duties due to your injury.
- Future earnings: Your outlook for maintaining gainful employment after an injury.
- Pain and suffering: In some cases, pain and suffering may be part of your compensatory award.
- Insurance coverage: The extent to which your and/or the bus company’s insurance comes into play may impact the amount of your compensation.
What to Do if You Are in a Bus Accident in Hilton Head
If you are in a bus accident, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Cooperate with paramedics if they wish to take you to the hospital. It is important to evaluate your condition after any accident, even if you feel fine. Delayed symptoms can emerge later on.
In the aftermath of the bus accident, keep receipts for all of your expenses as well as notes on any changes to your life caused by the accident. These records can help preserve your case, and they can be tremendously useful for your Hilton Head bus accident lawyer.
Next, contact The Thumbs Up Guys for your free consultation. We can estimate your claim and advise you on your best course of action.
How a Hilton Head Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help
It isn’t fair when a reckless bus driver causes turmoil in your life. The Thumbs Up Guys want to hear your story. Contact us for a free evaluation. We’ll tell you your rights under South Carolina law and help you plan your next steps.
A bus accident lawyer in Hilton Head can negotiate with insurance companies and work toward a fair settlement that meets your needs. If necessary, we’ll help you file civil charges and stand up for you in court. We will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
If you are the victim of a bus accident in Hilton Head, our team can help. Contact us to find out what we can do for you.