Raleigh Bus Accident Lawyers
Aggressive Representation for Victims of Bus Accidents
Bus accidents are a significant source of traffic fatalities and personal injuries in North Carolina. Bus drivers are responsible for the safety of all passengers, as well as pedestrians and other motorists on the road. When bus drivers fail to meet this responsibility, they can cause devastating accidents that result in serious personal injury and death.
At Posch Law Firm, our Raleigh bus accident lawyers are committed to holding negligent bus drivers and bus companies accountable for the harm they cause. We provide compassionate, personalized legal representation to victims and their families to ensure they receive the maximum compensation they are entitled to under the law.
Call (910) 817-6284 or contact us online today to schedule an initial consultation.
Who Is Liable in a Bus Accident?
In many bus accident cases, multiple parties can be held liable for the harm caused. Bus companies and bus drivers often share liability with bus manufacturers, who design buses with safety flaws. All of these parties can be held responsible for compensating the victims of bus accidents.
To best protect your interests, our Raleigh bus accident lawyers can evaluate your case and determine which parties are likely to be held liable.
Types of Bus Accidents We Handle
Our Raleigh bus accident lawyers handle all types of bus accident claims, including those involving:
- Bus accidents involving passenger vehicles
- Bus accidents involving school buses
- Bus accidents involving mass transit vehicles
- Bus accidents involving large trucks
- Car accidents involving buses
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Bus accidents are often caused by driver negligence, such as speeding, falling asleep at the wheel, failing to stop at a stop sign or stoplight, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Other common causes of bus accidents include:
- Drivers failing to yield to buses
- Drivers failing to stop at bus stops
- Drivers failing to yield to pedestrians
- Drivers running red lights or stop signs
- Drivers being unfamiliar with the rules of the road
- Drivers being overworked and fatigued
- Drivers being inadequately trained
- Drivers not paying attention to the road
In some cases, passengers on the bus might also be at fault for causing or contributing to the accident. For example, passengers might be negligent if they are playing with a phone or texting while the bus is in motion. Passengers also might be at fault if they are engaging in dangerous behavior, such as smoking or fighting with other passengers.
Recovering Damages in a Bus Accident Lawsuit
In North Carolina, injured victims of bus accidents can file personal injury claims against the liable parties. In most cases, these claims are brought as third-party claims, which means the injured person is not directly involved in the lawsuit. Instead, the injured person is represented by their own personal injury lawyer, who files a claim against the liable party on their behalf. This allows the injured person to avoid getting involved in a lawsuit against a person or company that might not have enough insurance to cover the damages.
In a third-party claim, the personal injury lawyer will attempt to prove that the liable party was negligent and that their negligence caused the injuries. The goal of the personal injury claim is to prove that the liable party should be responsible for covering the injured person's medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
In North Carolina, injured victims of bus accidents can recover compensation for their damages in a personal injury lawsuit against the liable parties. In most cases, these claims are brought as third-party claims, which means the injured person is not directly involved in the lawsuit. Instead, the injured person is represented by their own personal injury lawyer, who files a claim against the liable party on their behalf. This allows the injured person to avoid getting involved in a lawsuit against a person or company that might not have enough insurance to cover the damages.
In a personal injury lawsuit, our Raleigh bus accident attorneys can seek compensation for the following damages:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Punitive damages
In cases where the bus driver was driving recklessly or was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, punitive damages might be awarded. Punitive damages are meant to