If you have been injured in a bus accident, Hoffman Law Firm can help you navigate the road to recovery. With medical expenses and vehicle repairs adding up, you need trusted legal representation to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
At Hoffman Law Firm, we are here to represent bus accident survivors and families who have lost loved ones due to another driver’s recklessness, negligence, or misconduct. Far too many lives are claimed by bus accidents, and our personal injury lawyers will not rest until justice is done.
Our personal injury law firm has extensive experience handling cases like yours and will advocate tirelessly for crash victims and their families. They won’t think twice about taking on even the largest corporations and legal teams to help our clients recover the type of life-changing compensation they are entitled to.
After a bus accident in Charleston, Georgetown, or anywhere else in South Carolina, trust the injury lawyers at Hoffman Law Firm to put our decades of combined experience to work for you. We pride ourselves on offering the highest quality service, defined by personal communication each step of the way.
Schedule your free consultation to see for yourself!
Hundreds-to-millions in settlements won for accident victims throughout the Lowcountry, Hoffman Law Firm delivers serious results.
If you are riding a bus that is involved in an accident, remain on the scene and call 911 immediately. Report the accident and wait in a safe location for first responders to arrive. This is especially important if anyone involved is seriously injured or if the accident is blocking traffic. Even if you do not require medical care, calling 911 ensures a police report is filed.
It’s also important to take photos of the accident scene, including any injuries and vehicle damage. Be sure to also get the contact information of the bus driver, other drivers involved, and any witnesses. This will help your bus accident lawyer as they build your case.
Be sure to get medical treatment as soon as possible. Even if you do not think you are injured, schedule a visit to your doctor. Many bus passengers experience whiplash or other injuries that are not obvious right away. Once you’ve seen a doctor, be sure to follow their treatment plan.
Retain all documentation related to your medical care, including receipts, bills, and medical reports. Also, keep witness contact info, pictures, and other accident-related bills. These may be used as evidence as your bus accident lawyer files your claim.
Because the bus company and their insurance company may deny your claim or offer an unfair settlement, it’s important to have skilled legal representation on your side. Your bus accident lawyer may even be able to identify other liable parties, like the bus manufacturer, and recover additional compensation.
Here at Hoffman Law Firm, our experienced attorneys handle the following:
Several parties may be held liable in a bus crash, including the following:
BUS DRIVERS
Bus drivers have a duty to exercise the “highest degree of care” to avoid harming their passengers. If this duty is breached, they can be held liable for damages.
OTHER DRIVERS
All drivers on the road have a duty to exercise “reasonable care” behind the wheel. If a driver breaches this duty, they can be held accountable for their actions.
PASSENGERS
Other passengers can be held liable if their actions resulted in injury.
MANUFACTURERS
If a defective product or part caused the bus accident, the manufacturer can be held liable.
Bus accident victims may receive compensation for the following:
LOST WAGES
If your injury keeps you out of work, you may be able to recover compensation for your lost wages.
MEDICAL BILLS
Many bus accident victims receive compensation for their medical care, including hospital stays, lab tests, scans, follow-up care, and more.
REHABILITATION AND THERAPY COSTS
In some cases, your treatment plan may include a stay at a rehabilitation center or ongoing therapies. This type of ongoing care can be very costly, depending on the severity of the injuries.
TRANSPORTATION COSTS
Some bus accident victims are unable to drive during their recovery. If you require medical transport or another form of transportation to reach your destination, you may be eligible for reimbursement.
PAIN AND SUFFERING
In addition to economic impacts, your accident may result in non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, etc.
Our skilled South Carolina bus accident attorneys are ready with trusted legal advice, so schedule your appointment now!
According to the South Carolina law, any motor vehicle designed for carrying more than ten passengers that is used for the transportation is considered a “bus.”
SCHOOL BUSES
School buses are one common type, defined under South Carolina law as a bus used “exclusively to transport children to or from public school or in connection with school activities.”
SHUTTLES
Shuttles are common in cities or metropolitan areas to provide low-cost or free transportation. In Charleston, you’ll find the Downtown Area Shuttle or DASH. Even though they go by a different name, shuttles are considered buses under the law.
OTHERS
Large passenger vans may be considered buses if they transport ten or more people. If you are unsure whether a vehicle is considered a bus, consult a qualified attorney – like the ones you’ll find at Hoffman Law Firm.
Several different kinds of accidents may involve buses, including these situations:
Bus accidents and car accidents share many of the same causes, such as:
Bus accidents, more so than typical auto accidents, may also be caused by the following:
Our skilled South Carolina bus accident attorneys are ready with trusted legal advice, so schedule your appointment now!
Some of the injuries that pedestrians riding a bus endure may include:
According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, there is a traffic collision every three minutes. With over four million people utilizing Charleston public transportation every year, passengers face the risk of a bus accident. Plus, statistics show that there is a crash resulting in injury every 13 minutes. And even more startlingly, there is a fatal accident every nine and a half hours.
Here are some reasons why riding a bus – or sharing the road with one – can be dangerous:
SIZE
Unlike typical motor vehicles, buses are extremely large and heavy. While most cars weigh between 2,500 and 5,000 pounds, most transit buses are 40 feet long and weigh 30,000 to 44,000 pounds with a full passenger load. It’s important to keep in mind that, due to their size and weight, buses take much longer to stop.
LIMITED SAFETY FEATURES
Many buses lack basic safety features like seatbelts and airbags in buses. This makes collisions even more dangerous, potentially resulting in more severe injuries.
CROWDED CABINS
During the busiest travel times, all seats and standing room may be full. Overcrowded buses can be very loud and distracting to drivers – and may also be more unstable due to overloading.
LONG HOSPITAL STAYS OR DISABILITIES
Serious injuries may require lengthy hospital stays or continued care. This comes with a high price tag, making it essential to receive full compensation. Some bus accident victims are permanently disabled – another reason to see legal guidance from a trusted personal injury law firm near you.
POTENTIAL DAMAGE LIMITS
Some states limit the damages you can recover in a bus accident lawsuit or settlement. In the Palmetto State, there is a cap for punitive damages and damages against government entities. Don’t let this keep you from filing for compensation though. Instead, trust Hoffman Law Firm to handle your bus accident claim.
Our skilled South Carolina bus accident attorneys are ready with trusted legal advice, so schedule your appointment now!
WHAT IF MY CHILD WAS INJURED ON A SCHOOL BUS?
HOW DO I APPROACH THIS SITUATION?
Accidents involving school buses can be complicated. The owner of the bus, often the school district, must first be established. If the bus is owned by a private company, your bus accident lawyer will pursue compensation from the company that hired the bus driver. Proving that the driver acted negligently comes next – which often requires the help of an experienced attorney.
According to South Carolina state laws, you have three years from the date of your bus accident to file a personal injury claim.
Filing a personal injury claim requires evidence, such as medical records, police reports, and accident scene photos. Be sure to keep track of all accident-related expenses as well. Be sure to consult your bus accident lawyer before speaking to the insurance company – or better yet, let them handle all communications.
At Hoffman Law Firm, our lawyers will also help gather evidence to strengthen your claim. Contact our attorneys as soon as possible in order to preserve evidence. We are ready with solid legal advice and a free consultation today!
Our skilled South Carolina bus accident attorneys are ready with trusted legal advice, so schedule your appointment now!
The service and staff of Hoffman Law Firm was exceptionally professional. Staff lovingness and kindness was greatly appreciated.
-Vermelle
They were very helpful, compassionate, and nice. I was at ease during the process of getting help with them. I would recommend them to anyone who wants honesty and professional lawyers.
-Latvia
Hoffman Law Firm worked hard behind the scenes and completely surpassed our expectations. We will recommend them to our friends and family!
-Marty
Our experienced personal injury team is proud to serve the Lowcountry, offering trusted legal representation right here at home. Committed to securing the compensation our friends and neighbors deserve, our personal injury attorneys will walk beside you each step of the way.
From filing your claim to communicating with the insurance company, we handle your entire claim for you. Get in touch for trusted legal advice and schedule your free consultation today!
Our personal injury law firm welcomes referrals for cases that arise anywhere in the state of South Carolina. We are always proud to assist deserving clients offered by a fellow attorney, so contact us today!
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Our skilled South Carolina bus accident attorneys are ready with trusted legal advice, so schedule your appointment now!
What can I do if CARTA was involved in my bus accident?
Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) may be found liable for an accident and because it receives government funding from the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and the Federal Transit Authority (FTA), special rules may apply. Contact Hoffman Law Firm to learn more.
CARTA may be the liable party in your accident if:
If a privately owned bus company hit me, what do I do next?
In most cases, if the driver who hit you was currently on the clock, our bus accident lawyers will try to hold the owner of a privately owned bus liable. Liable parties may include:
We begin by filing an insurance claim or lawsuit against the liable party. If we cannot reach a fair offer, we can then take your case to trial.
What should I do if someone from the bus company calls me before I’ve picked a lawyer?
Never make a recorded statement to the bus company’s insurance carrier and do not sign any forms sent to you by the bus company or their insurance carrier. Instead, find a Charleston personal injury law firm near you.
What if a bus driver is injured in a bus accident?
If a bus driver is hurt on the job, they may be eligible for Workers’ Compensation.
What damages can be recovered following a bus accident in South Carolina?
If you were injured in a bus accident here in the Palmetto State, you may be eligible to recover three types of damages:
What should I do in the days following a bus accident?
Hoffman Law Firm recommends taking the following steps:
How do I prove who was at fault for a bus accident?
Proving liability can be very difficult, which is why victims are encouraged to seek legal representation. Determined fault requires a thorough analysis of the police report, interviews with witnesses, and an examination of the accident scene.
Who will pay for any expenses that occur due to an injury that I sustained during a bus accident?
If you carry personal injury protection insurance, this will likely be the first thing used to cover expenses, like medical bills and lost wages. If you don’t have personal injury protection insurance, the party responsible for paying depends on who is responsible for causing the accident. If the bus driver is liable, their employer typically covers your costs. If another driver is deemed liable, their insurance company will pay.
What if the bus was government-owned? Can I still sue?
Many buses are owned by local or state government entities. Winning a bus accident lawsuit against a government entity is a daunting task – and attempting to do it on your own puts your compensation at risk.
