Winston-Salem Bus Accident Lawyer
While most commercial bus drivers are safe drivers, accidents can occur without warning, leaving someone injured. Bus drivers, just like motor vehicle drivers, may become distracted by personal telephones, passengers, or traffic and in an instant can cause irreparable damage to others. Someone could suffer serious injury, causing extensive hospitalization, rehabilitation, or death.
It does not matter if you were harmed by a bus accident as a passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, or driver in a motor vehicle, if you have suffered an injury in a collision with a bus, contact an experienced Winston-Salem bus accident lawyer to protect your interests. An experienced injury attorney can assist you in building a claim and ensuring your rights are protected.
Accident Statistics
According to the 2015 North Carolina Crash Facts report, which is created by the Division of Motor Vehicles, in 2015, there were 1,639 bus accidents in North Carolina. In 2014, the Crash Facts report for North Carolina established that there were 1,484 bus accidents. This proves that the annual number of accidents involving school, commercial, activity, and other buses has increased. While many of those accidents resulted in injuries to the victims, some of the bus accidents lead to death. Â
Statute of Limitations in North Carolina
Every state has a time frame during which accident victims must file a claim in civil court before the victim no longer has the opportunity to do so. This process is called the statute of limitations, or SOL. In North Carolina, accident victims have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in civil court for both personal injury and property damage caused by the accident. Commercial bus drivers are required to be licensed and insured, and in the event of an accident, the insurance company is the point of contact. It is important that there is an option to proceed in court if the negotiation is stalled due to the insurance company.
Not every bus accident will end in court. In many cases, a skilled and experienced attorney can negotiate a great settlement for a bus accident victim without a judge or jury. It is important to contact a Winston-Salem bus accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident to preserve the ability to file a claim in court, should it be necessary.
Role of an Attorney
It is important you work with an experienced Winston-Salem attorney who can guide you through the legal process if you or a loved one has suffered a loss of limb, health, lifestyle, or life caused by the negligence of a bus driver. An attorney’s role following your bus accident is to become knowledgeable of all facts related to your accident, negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company, and ensure that you understand what is happening in your case. A Winston-Salem attorney will further ensure that you receive the necessary medical attention, if you have not or are not receiving it.
