Were you injured in a bus accident in Charleston, WV? Our Charleston bus accident lawyers at Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers have a wealth of experience handling bus accident cases. Call (304) 346-5990 to schedule a free consultation.
If so, the incident could have a devastating impact on your life, especially if you have suffered a catastrophic injury – or worse – the death of a loved one. Every year, an estimated 15,000 bus accidents occur, resulting in over 13,000 injuries and over 200 fatalities. West Virginia alone has nearly 100 bus accidents annually, with about half resulting in injuries.
Farmer, Cline, & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers is a team of experienced personal injury lawyers. We represent people who are injured in bus accidents and other incidents. Our attorneys can help you obtain compensation for costs associated with the crash, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
How Our Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help If You Have Been Injured In A Charleston, WV Bus Accident
Many of our clients who are hurt in bus crashes have serious injuries. They are spending a lot of energy, time, and money trying to heal. Farmer, Cline, & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers allows our clients to focus on getting better while we focus on the legal case.
Our Charleston personal injury lawyers have won tens of millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. This compensation has paid for their recovery and emotional losses to make them whole again.
If you hire us to represent you after a bus accident in Charleston, WV, we will:
- Investigate the cause of the bus crash
- Collect evidence
- File insurance claims
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Consult expert witnesses to bolster your case
- File a personal injury lawsuit if necessary
- Stand up and fight for you in court
We have over 300 years of combined experience. Our team is confident that we have the skills to get the compensation you deserve. Call our Charleston personal injury attorneys to set up a time to talk about your bus accident claim.
What Causes Bus Accidents in Charleston?
Bus accidents happen in Charleston for many reasons. Most of the time, they result from someone’s negligence.
Some of the most common causes of bus crashes in Charleston include:
- Speeding
- Blind spots
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Distracted driving Drunk driving
- Poor road visibility
- Obstructions in the road
- Inadequate bus driver training
- Lack of signage on the road
Whether you were a passenger on the bus, another driver on the road, or a pedestrian, we can help you determine the cause of the crash. Our lawyers know how to collect evidence and will consult crash experts to find out what happened. Once we know who is responsible, we can hold them accountable and request compensation.
Bus Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries
It may seem obvious, but bus crashes can cause severe injuries. The average bus weighs between 25,000 and 40,000 pounds. When a bus is involved in a collision, it can easily cause serious damage to a car, pedestrian, or bicyclist. This can result in catastrophic injuries and even death.
Many of our clients have experienced:
- Broken bones
- Severe burns
- Permanent nerve damage and paralysis
- Spinal cord trauma
- Brain injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Back and neck injuries
- Amputation
We take the time to fully understand the extent of our client’s injuries and the impact on their life. This may involve consulting medical experts and doctors. Farmer, Cline, & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers will take every step necessary to get the money needed to pay for medical treatment and changes to your quality of life.
Who Is Responsible For a Bus Crash in Charleston?
Every bus crash case is different. Who is responsible for your damages will depend on how the accident happened. In general, anyone who is negligent can be held accountable. Negligence is when a person acts carelessly and causes someone else to get hurt.
Some of the parties who may be held liable for a bus crash include:
- The bus driver
- Another driver on the road
- The city of Charleston or the transportation agency responsible for operating the bus
- The bus maintenance company
- A pedestrian
- A passenger on the bus
- A bicyclist
- An e-scooter rider
Sometimes, multiple parties are responsible for causing a bus crash. We will pursue each party to make sure that you get full compensation.
What Happens If I Am Partially At Fault For a Bus Accident in West Virginia?
In some cases, the victim of a bus crash can share the blame for their injuries. This happens when the victim contributed to causing the accident through their negligence.
West Virginia has a modified comparative negligence statute to govern shared fault. Under this law, a victim’s damages are reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if the plaintiff is 25% responsible for causing the bus accident, they can only receive 75% of their damages. However, once you are more responsible (51%) than the other party, you are barred from recovering damages.
Because of this law, your lawyer must act quickly if you are getting blamed. Many defendants will use this statute to try to avoid paying for all of your damages. By hiring a lawyer immediately after an accident, you can ensure that insurance companies and the defendant don’t try to say that you played a role in the crash.
What Damages Can I Get in a Bus Accident Case in Charleston, WV?
Damages in personal injury cases fall into three categories: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are payment for actual financial losses, including:
Ambulance and emergency room bills Doctors visits Medical devices Rehabilitation and physical therapy Damage to your vehicle or other property Lost wages Lost future earning capacity Future medical bills
Economic damages can also include out-of-pocket expenses that arise due to the accident or injury. An example is if you are forced to hire a nanny to help care for your child or need to remodel your house to be wheelchair accessible.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are payments for non-financial losses. This is often called pain and suffering. These damages are more complex to calculate but can be significant.
You can request non-economic damages for:
Emotional trauma Loss of relationships Permanent disfigurement or scarring Physical pain and suffering Loss of enjoyment of life Mental illness caused by the accident
The value of your non-economic damages is closely tied to the trauma that you experienced either during the accident or because of your injury. Our Charleston bus accident attorneys can help you put a dollar figure on that trauma. Even though money won’t take away the pain, it can provide access to resources to move forward.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are different from the other types of damages. The purpose of punitive damages is to punish a defendant for their behavior. Practically speaking, the plaintiff still gets the money. However, it isn’t tied to your suffering or injuries.
Punitive damages are difficult to win in West Virginia. However, it is possible. Punitive damages are only awarded if the plaintiff can prove that the defendant acted with gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct.
An example is a bus accident caused by road rage or drag racing. If you think that you may be entitled to punitive damages, a lawyer is your best bet for recovery.
What Is the Statute of Limitations For a Bus Accident Lawsuit in West Virginia?
You cannot wait forever to file a lawsuit based on a bus accident injury. You generally only have two years from the bus accident date to take legal action but may have more or less time depending on the facts of your case.
If you try to file a lawsuit after the statute of limitations has expired, your case will be dismissed. This means that you lose all legal rights to seek compensation in court.
Since the rule is strict, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after a crash. They can keep track of the statute of limitations and make sure that your right to recovery is protected.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With an Experienced Charleston Bus Accident Lawyer
Bus accidents can be scary and traumatizing. You don’t need to navigate the aftermath alone. Fighting for justice can be difficult without an experienced lawyer on your side.
Call Farmer, Cline, & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case evaluation with a Charleston bus accident lawyer. There is no harm in getting information to make the best decisions for yourself and your case. Getting compensated can help you get your life back on track.
