Wilmington Bus Accident Lawyer

While buses are a convenient form of transportation for many people in Wilmington, including students, daily commuters, and churches, buses can be involved in accidents that leave victims with serious injuries, significant medical bills, and lengthy recovery periods.

If you were injured in a Wilmington bus accident that was not your fault, it’s vital that you understand your right to seek compensation and the laws that could impact your personal injury case.

Contact Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, now for a free case review with one of our experienced bus accident lawyers. We’ll go over the details of the incident, explain your legal options, and answer any questions you have.

Top Reasons to Choose Our Wilmington Bus Crash Attorneys

The personal injury law firm of Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, has provided North Carolina accident victims with outstanding service and dedicated legal advocacy for over 40 years. We have the skills, resources, and resolve to take on complex cases like those arising from bus accidents.

Our experienced personal injury attorneys have recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients, including several $1 million-plus settlements and verdicts in motor vehicle collision cases.

Our personal injury lawyers are committed to treating every client with the compassion and respect they deserve, which is reflected in our client reviews and testimonials. For example, one of our past clients wrote:

“I was in a bad accident and heard from many people that the attorneys and staff at Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC are good people. Mr. Fred [Poisson] had previously helped my brother when he was injured, so I called and hired them to help me. Everyone that worked there was nice to me and would accommodate me any way they could.” – B.B.

Factors Making Bus Accident Claims More Complex

Some of the factors that make bus accident claims more complex than car accident claims are:

• Multiple liable parties – Multiple parties, including the bus driver, bus company, vehicle manufacturer, and other motorists, may be liable for your injuries and losses.
• Multiple injured parties – Multiple parties may be injured, which could add challenges to your insurance claim.
• Government defendants – If a municipal bus or school bus was involved in the accident, additional rules apply when seeking the compensation you deserve.
• Severe injuries – Bus accidents can lead to severe injuries, which mean more extensive and expensive medical treatments.

Compensation You Could Recover for Your Bus Accident Injuries

The compensation you could recover for your bus accident injuries falls into two main categories: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are the compensation you seek for your tangible losses, including past and future medical expenses and lost wages related to the accident. Non-economic damages are the compensation you seek for your intangible losses, like physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Types of Buses Involved in Crashes in Wilmington

Accidents can occur on various types of buses in Wilmington, including:

• Municipal commuter buses like those operated by Wave Transit
• School buses carrying students to and from public and private schools
• Church buses carrying religious groups
• Charter buses that schools and organizations can hire for field trips or sports travel
• Tour buses that transport vacationers
• Interstate buses like Greyhound buses that pass through Wilmington

Common Causes and Types of Bus Accidents

Many bus accidents involve rear-end, head-on, and T-bone collisions caused by the bus driver’s or another motorist’s negligence. For example, a driver who fails to yield the right of way to a bus when turning left can cause a crash.

Pedestrian accidents involving buses are also common, as are slip-and-fall accidents caused by issues like wet stairs leading onto the bus. In such cases, the bus driver and bus company could be liable for the resulting injuries.

Potential Injuries from Bus Accidents in Wilmington

Wilmington bus accidents can result in various types of catastrophic injuries, such as:

• Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) that leave victims paralyzed
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that leave victims with permanent cognitive and physical disabilities
• Fractured bones that take months to recover
• Soft tissue injuries, including whiplash
• Lacerations caused by broken glass and other sharp objects that require stitches
• Internal organ damage and internal bleeding caused by the blunt force trauma of the collision

Legal Considerations for Bus Accidents in North Carolina

Some laws to consider regarding bus accident cases in North Carolina are the statute of limitations, contributory negligence, auto insurance requirements, and the State Tort Claims Act.

Statute of Limitations

In North Carolina, bus accident victims have three years to file personal injury claims against the parties responsible for their injuries. The notice period may be much shorter if the defendant is a government agency. Failure to file your lawsuit within this period will result in the courts barring you from seeking the compensation you need.

Contributory Negligence

North Carolina uses the rule of contributory negligence in motor vehicle accident cases. Contributory negligence bars a plaintiff from seeking compensation if their negligence at all contributed to the accident. It’s important to work with an experienced public transportation bus accident lawyer who can protect your right to seek compensation by providing evidence that you were not at all responsible for your personal injuries.

Auto Insurance Requirements

If you were a passenger on a bus struck by another vehicle, the at-fault driver’s auto insurance may cover your losses. In North Carolina, the minimum required liability coverage includes:

• $30,000 per person for bodily injury
• $60,000 per accident for bodily injury

If your injuries are severe or multiple victims must split the insurance money, that amount may not be enough to cover your expenses. In that case, you may be entitled to seek underinsured motorist (UIM) benefits or pursue motor vehicle accident claims against other responsible parties.

State Tort Claims Act

Under the State Tort Claims Act, the maximum compensation injury victims can receive from lawsuits against state government entities is $1 million. If a Wave Transit bus, public school bus, or another government-operated bus caused your injury, this limit may apply to your bus accident case.

How Our Wilmington Bus Accident Lawyers Can Help You

If you were injured in a Wilmington bus accident, our attorneys are ready to help you seek the maximum compensation you deserve through a personal injury claim. We can investigate the incident to identify all the liable parties and gather evidence, calculate your losses, file your insurance claims or lawsuits, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and represent you at trial, if necessary.

Contact Poisson, Poisson & Bower, PLLC, now for a free consultation and learn more about why our clients continue to recommend our legal team to their friends and family.