Believe it or not, a lot of people still rely on the bus to get around. They may take the bus to work or school. Or, they buy tickets to ride a bus out of state. Why someone takes the bus isn’t really important. The point is, when people ride a bus, they’re at the mercy of the bus driver. They’re also at the mercy of other drivers. If you end up getting into a North Carolina bus accident, there’s a good chance you’ll suffer some pretty serious injuries.
For the most part, aside from school buses, most buses do not have seatbelts. The same is true if you’re on a train or subway. People get on and off so quickly, they don’t really need a seatbelt. This means that, if the bus crashes, you could be thrown all about the vehicle. You could sustain all sorts of injuries, including:
- Broken bones – If you bang your body on one of the poles on the bus, you could end up broken bones. This could include a broken arm, leg or even wrist. If you suffer this type of injury, you’ll likely need surgery. You might even need physical therapy. This can be very expensive. It will also mean you’re out of work for a while. The person responsible for the crash should cover these expenses.
- Traumatic brain injury – If you suffer a severe blow to the head during the crash, you could end up with a traumatic brain injury. This causes long-term problems and may even leave you permanently disabled.
- Head injuries – If you slam your head on the walls or windows in the bus, you could suffer a head injury. This could be anything from a mild concussion to a skull fracture.
Regardless of your injuries, you should be entitled to damages. This is why you should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Charlotte.
There May Be More Than One Defendant
In a North Carolina bus accident, there could be more than one defendant. Obviously, you may have a claim against the bus driver. This means the company they drive for would be named in your lawsuit as well. In fact, immediately after your crash, your Charlotte personal injury attorney will help you file a claim against the bus company’s insurance company. However, there’s no guarantee that they’ll pay your claim. If you do need to file a personal injury lawsuit in North Carolina, you need to make sure you name all possible defendants.
If the bus driver wasn’t actually the one who caused the crash, you’ll need to pursue the third party as well. If another driver caused the bus accident, then you need to name them as well. The goal is to make sure you cover all your bases. If one party doesn’t pay your damages then the other one may have to. The good news is that your Charlotte injury lawyer understands how this works. They’ll do what it takes to get you as much money as possible.
Your Case Will More Than Likely Settle
The good news is, regardless of how many defendants there are, your case will probably settle. More than 95% of all personal injury cases do settle. Nobody wants to go to trial. Trials are expensive and time consuming. That’s why your attorney will work hard to negotiate a settlement of your case. This could be with the defendant’s insurance company, or you may settle with their attorney. Either way, the odds of having to go to court are low.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer for Help With Your North Carolina Bus Accident
If you’re involved in a bus accident, you may suffer very serious injuries. The defendant should be held liable for any expenses or losses you suffer. This could involve any of the following:
- Medical bills
- lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
Your Charlotte personal injury attorney will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call and schedule your initial consultation right away. They can sit down and listen to your story. If they feel you have a valid case, they’ll let you know. They’ll also look to see who they can pursue for damages. This could involve the bus driver, bus company or even a third party. They’ll do what they need to do to get you the money you deserve. Schedule your free consultation today. The defendant will have lawyers fighting for them and you should too.
