If you were injured in a North Carolina bus accident, you might be wondering how you can collect financial compensation for your damages. Bus accidents are often challenging to deal with since there are multiple potentially liable parties.

How often do bus accidents occur?

Fortunately, an experienced North Carolina bus accident lawyer from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp will know the most effective methods of determining liability, filing your claim, and seeking full and fair financial compensation.

Types of Buses Commonly Involved in Bus Accidents

The type of accident that your bus was involved in can have a considerable impact on your personal injury claim.

A bus accident can involve private or public buses, such as:

School buses
Public transportation buses
Tour buses
Private charter buses
Private coach lines
Hotel, airport, and resort shuttle buses

Most bus accidents involve a collision with a smaller vehicle, but they can also involve a bus crashing into another bus or striking a pedestrian.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents

Bus accidents are vulnerable to the same causative factors as any other type of vehicle accident, including:

Speeding
Improper merging/lane changes
Failing to yield
Tailgating
Illegal turns
Distracted driving
Inexperienced operators
Mechanical failures

Correctly establishing the cause of your North Carolina bus accident is one of the most important elements of a personal injury claim. Once you have determined the cause of the accident, you can determine the person or persons liable for your injuries.

Common Bus Accident Injuries

The severity of your injuries will depend on the circumstances of your bus accident.

The most common bus accident injuries include:

Whiplash/Soft tissue injuries
Broken bones
Head injuries/Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Burns
Internal organ damage

Being seriously injured during a bus accident could have more than a physical impact on your life; it could have a heavy financial impact as well. Medical expenses can get out of control very quickly, and you could also sustain further economic losses, such as lost income caused by being unable to work.

For most bus accident victims, seeking just compensation is a necessary part of being able to cover the exorbitant costs they incur after being injured in a bus accident.

Potential Liability for Bus Accidents

Correctly determining liability is essential to the outcome of your North Carolina bus accident claim. There could easily be more than one party responsible for your injuries, including:

The bus operator
The operator’s employer
The bus owner
The manufacturer of the bus or one of its components
The company responsible for maintenance
A government agency
A third party

Determining liability is often tricky because it hinges on many different factors, including what type of bus was involved and how the accident occurred. Your North Carolina bus accident attorney can conduct a thorough investigation, determine who is liable, and successfully seek compensation and justice on your behalf.

North Carolina Civil Statute of Limitations

It is important to keep in mind there you have a very narrow window of time to file your bus accident claim. In North Carolina, plaintiffs are given three years from the day the accident took place to file their personal injury lawsuits. If they are filing a case against a government entity, they have just six months to send their notice of claim.

Were You Injured in a North Carolina Bus Accident?

If you or a member of your family sustained injuries in a North Carolina bus accident, you should consult a North Carolina bus accident attorney as soon as possible for valuable legal guidance. You most likely have grounds to file a lawsuit against the at-fault person or persons and obtain compensation for your injuries and other losses. Call the law offices of Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp today by calling (833) 997-1774 or through the form on our website.

Everything You Need to Know About North Carolina Bus Accidents