Bus Accident Lawyer
Bus Accident Lawyers for Victims in NC, SC & GA
Bus accidents can cause serious injuries to passengers, other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. Whether involving a public transit bus, school bus, charter bus, or intercity motorcoach, injuries can be severe because buses often lack seatbelts and generate enormous force in collisions. At Dr. Ted Injury Law, our bus accident attorneys handle the complex legal issues including claims against government entities, commercial carriers, and their insurance companies.
Types of Bus Accidents We Handle
- Public transit bus accidents — Municipal systems in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greenville, Columbia, Atlanta, and beyond.
- School bus accidents — Accidents involving school buses carrying children.
- Charter and tour bus accidents — Private charter buses for group travel and events.
- Intercity motorcoach accidents — Greyhound, Megabus, and other long-distance services.
- Church and organization bus accidents — Buses operated by churches and non-profits.
Common Causes
- Driver negligence — Distracted driving, fatigue, speeding, and impaired driving.
- Inadequate driver training — Insufficient training for safely operating large vehicles.
- Poor vehicle maintenance — Brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering problems.
- Dangerous road conditions — Poorly maintained roads, inadequate signage.
- Other drivers' negligence — Vehicles that cut off buses or drive recklessly nearby.
Government Entity Claims
North Carolina
Claims are governed by the N.C. Tort Claims Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-291 et seq.). You must file with the NC Industrial Commission with specific notice requirements. Contributory negligence applies. The statute of limitations is 3 years but notice requirements may impose shorter deadlines.
South Carolina
The SC Tort Claims Act (S.C. Code § 15-78-10 et seq.) governs government claims with damage caps. Written notice must be filed within a specific period. The statute of limitations is 3 years but government claims may have shorter notice periods.
Georgia
The Georgia Tort Claims Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-21-20 et seq.) governs state entity claims. Ante-litem notice must typically be provided within 12 months. The statute of limitations is 2 years but notice requirements create earlier deadlines.
Common Bus Accident Injuries
Passengers without seatbelts can be thrown about in collisions. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, neck and back injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, lacerations, internal injuries, and soft tissue injuries.
Compensation
Victims may recover for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability, and other damages. Government damage caps may apply. Our attorneys explore all compensation sources including government insurance, commercial insurance, and personal liability of negligent parties.
Contact Us
Time is critical in bus accident cases. Government claims have strict notice deadlines. Contact Dr. Ted Injury Law today for a free consultation.
Related Case Results
Our client was driving home from work on Interstate 85 near Charlotte when an 18-wheeler whose driver had exceeded federal hours-of-service limits ran a red light at a highway interchange, causing a devastating multi-vehicle collision. Our client suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and required months of intensive rehabilitation. Through exhaustive investigation, we uncovered falsified driver logs and a pattern of safety violations by the trucking company. After a two-week trial, the jury returned a verdict of $12.5 million, one of the largest trucking accident verdicts in North Carolina history.
A 42-year-old mother of three went to a Charlotte-area hospital for a routine gallbladder removal. Due to the surgeon's negligence, her bile duct was severed during the procedure, leading to a life-threatening infection, multiple corrective surgeries, and permanent digestive complications. Our team retained leading surgical experts who testified that the surgeon deviated from the standard of care. The case was resolved through mediation for $9.2 million, providing our client with the resources to cover her ongoing medical needs and compensate her family for the profound impact on their lives.
A commercial truck driver lost control of his vehicle on a steep descent near Asheville when the truck's brakes failed due to inadequate maintenance. The truck struck our client's vehicle head-on, killing the 38-year-old father of two. Our investigation revealed that the trucking company had repeatedly deferred required brake inspections and that the driver had reported brake issues weeks before the accident. We settled with the trucking company and the maintenance provider for a combined $8.7 million for the surviving family.
A construction worker at a high-rise project in downtown Charlotte fell 40 feet when his safety harness, manufactured by a major equipment company, failed due to a defective buckle mechanism. He suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury resulting in permanent paralysis from the waist down. We pursued claims against both the equipment manufacturer and the general contractor, ultimately recovering $7.8 million through settlement. The case led to a voluntary recall of the defective harness model.