Bus Accident Lawyers in Dunn

Addressing Common Client Questions and Concerns

Whether you’re commuting to work or headed across the state, bus transportation can get you where you need to go even if you don’t have your own car or want to drive. However, it isn’t without risk. There are hundreds of bus accidents every year in North Carolina, and in 2022, 131 of these crashes caused injuries. Find out what you need to know about bus accidents in Dunn and what victims can do to get compensation for their injuries.

When you get on a bus or drive next to one of these large vehicles on the road, you’re trusting that the driver is paying attention and exercising due care. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. If you were injured in a bus accident due to someone else’s negligence, contact Brent Adams & Associates to discuss your options.

What Are Some Common Reasons for Bus Accidents?

Bus drivers have a lot of responsibility. They have to handle a large, unwieldy vehicle in changing traffic and road conditions, and the more passengers on the bus, the more potential for distraction. While there are times when accidents are simply just that, most wrecks are caused by a mistake or other contributing factor. Some potential reasons for these accidents include:

Driving above the speed limit or too fast for road and traffic conditions
Failing to see traffic stopped or slowed ahead in time to brake
Changing lanes without signaling or checking blind spots
Crossing the centerline
Distracted or inattentive driving
Failing to yield the right of way
Reckless driving
Driving while impaired
A mechanical issue with the bus itself

If you were injured in a bus accident due to any of the above or similar factors, contact our law firm to find out what your legal options are and how we can help you navigate the aftermath.

Is the Bus Company or the Driver Responsible for an Accident?

After an accident, it’s up to the insurance companies for all parties to determine who was at fault. They will look at the police accident report, take statements from the drivers and other witnesses, and even potentially complete an accident reconstruction to determine what happened.

If it’s determined that the bus caused the crash, the driver is likely to be at fault. However, there are some instances where victims could end up suing the transportation company instead. For example, if the company didn’t verify that the driver had the proper credentials or failed to keep the bus in good repair, some of the liability could fall back on them.

If you’re not sure who the liable party is in your situation, discuss your case with a bus accident attorney. We can help you understand who you may be able to file suit against to receive compensation for their injuries.

What Does North Carolina’s Contributory Negligence Law Mean for My Case?

Only four states in the country operate under contributory negligence, and North Carolina is one of them. Simply put, this means that you can’t file a lawsuit against the other party in a motor vehicle accident if you contributed to the crash at all.

When the insurance company makes its fault determination, it assigns each driver a percentage of responsibility. Other states generally allow you to file suit against the other driver as long as you were less than 50 percent at fault. But in North Carolina, even a 1 percent fault can keep you from being able to pursue legal action.

Because most car accidents involve a variety of factors, it can be challenging to determine who was at fault and to what degree. If you believe that you did not contribute to the accident in any way, talk to a personal injury attorney to find out what your next steps should be.

What Types of Compensation Can Victims Receive?

North Carolina law allows victims of bus accidents to seek damages through the court system that relate to either financial losses or pain and suffering. Medical bills from just one accident can be thousands of dollars, and if you require surgery or a long-term hospital stay, it could be tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars by the time everything is done. These are major expenses, and it’s not fair for victims to have to pay these because of someone else’s poor choices.

In many cases, victims will need extensive time off of work to be able to recover and heal, and this often takes longer than paid time off or other leave of absence programs allow for. When you file a bus accident lawsuit, you can seek damages for the loss of income from the accident.

Should I Settle With the Insurance Company?

If it’s determined that the other party is at fault, it’s likely that their insurance company will try to settle with you. And while it can help you save time and can guarantee that you get some money instead of having to go through a trial where you may lose, these offers are often well below what you deserve. It’s not a bad idea to consider an out-of-court settlement, but it should only be done with the assistance of an attorney.

At Brent Adams & Associates, our bus accident attorneys have the experience to tell you how much you may be able to get if you win a trial and what a reasonable settlement offer would be. They can also review and negotiate any offers with the insurance company so you can be sure that your interests are protected and you’re getting what you deserve.

Call our Dunn office at 910-892-8177 to speak to a member of our team and schedule your appointment today.