The city of Raleigh has an extensive public transportation system, including the GoRaleigh bus system. However, its buses are not the only kind found in North Carolina’s capital. Private charter buses, school buses, and interstate bus transportation companies all operate in The Triangle region.
If you suffered injuries in an accident involving a bus, you might have the right to receive compensation for your injuries and losses. Consider visiting with the legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, to discover how a Raleigh bus accident lawyer can fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Call (800) 921-7227 today for your free case review.
Types of Injuries Suffered in Bus Accidents
Victims of bus accidents can be either a passenger or outside the bus as another motorist, pedestrian, motorcyclist, or bicyclist. While every bus accident will have differing circumstances, bus accident injuries can include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Head and neck injuries, including whiplash, spinal cord injuries, and paralysis
- Internal organ damage
- Broken bones
- Cuts and bruises
In severe cases, bus accident injuries could lead to death.
Additionally, the circumstances surrounding a bus accident often result in emotional trauma for victims, causing mental anguish or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These types of injuries result in significant medical costs, loss of income due to the inability to return to work, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering. If your car suffered major damage in the crash, you also could face substantial repair bills or have to pay for a new vehicle.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accidents lawyer serving Raleigh, call (800) 921-7227
The Importance of an Independent Investigation
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported over 66,000 bus accidents in 2017, resulting in approximately 25,000 injuries and hundreds of deaths. In bus accidents, an independent investigation can help determine the actual cause of the accident, which can result in the determination of liability.
Once the investigation determines liability for the bus accident, victims will understand who has a legal responsibility to compensate them for their injuries and losses. A Raleigh bus accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can conduct an independent investigation and decide liability. They might find the following people or entities have responsibility for a bus accident.
Bus Driver
In most cases, a bus driver operates a bus under the scope of their employment. As a result, the bus company often has legal responsibility for a bus accident under the legal theory known as respondeat superior.
However, suppose a bus driver engages in particularly egregious or dangerous behavior, or the crash occurred outside the scope of their work. In that case, a victim might have the right to bring a legal claim against them individually. While this possibility will depend on the facts and circumstances of every case, some examples where a victim could potentially bring a claim directly against a bus driver would include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Intentionally driving recklessly or speeding
- Deliberately attempting to endanger the public’s safety
Bus Company
As previously indicated, the legal theory known as respondeat superior allows a victim to pursue a legal claim against the bus company that employed the driver. Besides the company having vicarious liability for the driver’s negligent acts, other circumstances might also allow victims to hold a bus company accountable to compensate a victim for their injuries and losses:
- The company never provided training to a bus driver.
- The company never checked the driver’s driving record or experience.
- The company failed to verify that the driver held a Commercial Driver’s License.
- The company never checked whether the bus driver had a criminal record of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- The company failed to perform drug or alcohol testing for bus drivers.
- The company did not remove a bus driver who failed a drug or alcohol test.
- The company’s failure to maintain its fleet resulted in a mechanical failure that led to the accident.
- The company failed to heed any warnings regarding manufacturer defects or recall notices.
Government Entities
If the accident involved a bus owned by a public transportation agency such as GoRaleigh or a school bus, a victim must file a claim with the agency. It is essential to note that the process of filing a claim against a government entity is much different than filing a lawsuit against a private entity. The documentation involved and the filing deadlines might also differ significantly.
To ensure your legal rights remain protected, you might want to consider visiting with a Raleigh bus accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, to help you understand how to move through the process of filing a claim against a government entity. Call us today to get started.
Manufacturers
Every bus must meet specific safety standards known as the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. If a manufacturer places a faulty or defective vehicle or part in the stream of commerce, it has the responsibility to ensure that it remains safe for use. If a victim suffered injuries in a bus accident because of a design flaw or manufacturing defect, they might have the legal right to pursue economic and noneconomic damages from the manufacturer, designer, or even retailer of the product.
These types of cases typically fall under product liability law. You might want to visit with a Raleigh bus accident lawyer to better understand your rights concerning these types of cases.
Raleigh Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me (800) 921-7227
Consider Visiting with a Raleigh Bus Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one suffered injuries or losses resulting from a bus accident in the Raleigh area, consider contacting the legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC. Keep in mind that North Carolina General Statutes §1-52 sets a three-year statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits. A Raleigh bus accident lawyer can compile evidence and file your case before the deadline hits. Call us today at (800) 921-7227 for your free case review. We can help you understand the process to fight for the compensation you deserve under the law for your injuries and losses.
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