When a person typically thinks of someone being involved in a bus accident, the first thing that comes to mind is their child, or another family member on a school bus. After all, school buses are all over the roadways and highways of North Carolina and South Carolina, transporting our children to and from school on a daily basis. But, there are other types of buses on the roadways and highways of North Carolina and South Carolina. City buses also help us commute to and from work. Charter buses take our children on field trips, and transport us to company outings, family gatherings, church trips, and even weddings. But, whether we are talking about school buses, city buses, or charter buses, they are all large, heavy vehicles that are not easy to drive, and when they are involved in an accident are capable of causing serious injuries to both people and property. And, on those occasions where the bus flips over on its side, or rolls, the aftermath is often quite traumatic.
Injuries from bus accidents include concussions, fractures, scarring, abrasions, traumatic head injuries, spinal cord injuries, back and neck injuries, loss of limbs, burns, internal organ damage, nerve damage, and death.
What Causes Bus Collisions?
There are several different causes of bus accidents, including negligence of other drivers other than the bus driver, inclement weather conditions, and sudden changes in traffic conditions. Bus drivers can be negligent if they are driving too fast for conditions, speeding, driving for too long, driving while texting, driving while overly exhausted and fatigued, improperly turning, or yielding the right of way, and being intoxicated. The charter bus companies can be found negligent if they fail to adequately train their drivers, overload their buses, or they fail to properly maintain the equipment on the their buses such as tires, brakes, and safety equipment.
What Should I Do If I am Involved in a Bus Accident?
Get as Much Information as Possible: If you are struck by a negligently operated bus, and your injuries allow it, be sure to take pictures of the accident scene with your cellular phone, Make sure to get the name of the bus company, and the license plate of the bus. If you can, and circumstances allow, get the first and last name of the bus driver, and the names of any witnesses to the accident.
Be Aware of Who You are Talking To: Naturally, you can speak to the police officers that have been dispatched to the scene. But, be aware that if it is a commercial, or charter bus accident, that these companies have investigators on call that may show up on the accident scene shortly after the accident happened. Anything you say to these individuals has the potential to be used against you by the liability insurance company that represents the bus company.
Call Tippens & Zurosky: Let us be your voice in any bus accident. The sooner we are involved the sooner we can interview witnesses, analyze the accident scene, reach out to the insurance companies involved, and assist you with medical treatment. Call us toll free at (877) 372-3580, or 704-343-0018 to schedule a consultation so that we may assist you.
