Gastonia Bus Accident Lawyer

Experienced Bus Accident Attorney in Gastonia, NC

Thousands of people in Gastonia and throughout Gaston County rely on bus transportation every day, including school buses transporting students to and from school every day and regional transit buses providing fixed route transportation across North Carolina. While bus accidents aren’t very common, they can cause severe injuries and lead to complex legal disputes. A skilled Gastonia bus accident lawyer can help if you are hurt in such an accident.

Representing Bus Accident Victims in Gastonia, NC

The attorneys at Roberts Law Firm, P.A. have more than 40 combined years of experience handling a wide range of accident claims for clients in Gastonia and surrounding communities of North Carolina, including bus accident claims. These accidents can happen for various reasons, but fault isn’t always immediately clear. You may have suffered serious injuries, and you need to know how to pursue accountability and compensation for your losses.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported that in 2022, large trucks and buses were involved in about 124,000 injury crashes nationwide. Between 2010 and 2022, intercity buses accounted for about 10% of all bus-related accident deaths nationwide, while school bus accidents accounted for 28% and transit buses accounted for 36%. These large vehicles can easily cause tremendous damage, and many bus accidents involve multiple victims.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation reported that in 2023, there were 1,079 crashes involving school buses statewide, and these accidents caused 683 injuries and six deaths. Whether you were injured in a transit or intercity bus accident, or your child was injured in a school bus accident, you need to hire a bus accident lawyer as soon as possible to help you build your case and recover compensation for your damages.

Building Your Bus Accident Claim in Gastonia

North Carolina follows a fault-based system for resolving vehicle accident claims, including bus accident cases. This means that before you can recover any compensation for the damages you suffered, you will need to prove how your accident happened and identify the party or parties responsible. Your recent bus accident may have been the fault of the bus driver, their employer, the driver of another vehicle, or multiple parties.

A Gastonia bus accident attorney can gather evidence you may not know how to obtain on your own. Once you have established fault, your attorney can determine the optimal path for you to recover compensation for your damages. After most accidents in North Carolina, filing an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver is the injured victim’s first option for recovering their losses.

Bus companies usually have commercial auto insurance policies that provide extensive coverage, but dealing with any insurance company can be challenging without an attorney representing you. Whether you are filing a claim against a commercial policy or another private driver’s individual policy, dealing with insurance company representatives will be easier with your attorney’s guidance and support.

If your accident involved any publicly operated bus, your legal options will be more complex. Filing a civil claim for damages against any government entity is very different from filing a claim against another private party. There are notice requirements, procedural deadlines, and caps on damages that an experienced attorney can explain. You may need to prepare for these details if you intend to claim damages from a public school district or other government entity.

You may have grounds to claim substantial compensation for the economic and non-economic losses you suffered, and you are more likely to reach a favorable result with an experienced local attorney handling your case. The team at Roberts Law Firm, P.A. is ready to assist with every step of your proceedings, so reach out to our firm as soon as possible to learn how a Gastonia bus accident lawyer can help with your recovery.

FAQs

What Evidence Is Required in a Bus Accident Claim?

The evidence that could be required in a bus accident claim may include bus maintenance records, documentation from the bus company, vehicle computer data, cell phone records, police reports, and statements from any witnesses who saw the accident happen firsthand. Some evidence could be lost if it is not collected as soon as possible after the accident, so consult an attorney at your first opportunity so they can begin building your case.

Can I Claim Damages if I Was Partially at Fault for a Bus Accident?

No, you cannot claim damages if you were partially at fault for a bus accident. If you were driving your own vehicle and contributed to causing a bus accident or any other vehicle accident, North Carolina’s contributory negligence law would prevent you from claiming damages from any other liable party. Consult an attorney immediately if you are worried that you were partially responsible for causing your recent accident.

What Damages Can I Recover From a Bus Accident Claim?

The damages you could recover from a bus accident claim include any economic losses you suffered from the defendant’s actions, such as vehicle repair costs, other property damage, your medical expenses, and any income you are unable to earn while you recover from your injuries. Additionally, a personal injury plaintiff in North Carolina can also claim compensation for their pain and suffering.

Why Should I Hire a Bus Accident Lawyer in Gastonia?

You should hire a bus accident lawyer in Gastonia because a skilled local attorney can build your case, accurately calculate all of the damages you are eligible to claim, and guide you through the legal proceedings necessary to secure the compensation you need to recover. Even if liability for your accident seems clear to you, the formal legal process of holding the at-fault party accountable is likely to be more difficult than you expect.

Roberts Law Firm, P.A. has secured many substantial settlements and verdicts for injured accident victims throughout the Gastonia area, and we know the unique legal challenges that a bus accident might present. Whether you are seeking accountability for your own injuries or acting on a family member’s behalf, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Gastonia bus accident lawyer.

Gastonia, NC Related Bus Accident Resources:

• Gastonia Car Accident Statistics
• North Carolina Car Accident Laws
• Average Car Accident Settlement in North Carolina
• What to Do After a Truck Accident in North Carolina
• Pedestrian Accidents in North Carolina: Know Your Rights

Gastonia, NC Bus Accident Legal Resources

• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-300.1 (Claims Involving Public School Buses)
• North Carolina Industrial Commission (Where Tort Claims Against the State Are Filed)
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52 (Three-Year Deadline for Personal Injury Claims)
• N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-217 (Passing a Stopped School Bus)