Charlotte Bus Accident Lawyers

Getting into a bus accident is a harrowing experience. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states that 200 to 300 fatal bus accidents occur in the United States every year. A according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), at least 142 of these bus accidents involve children on school buses.. An average of 19 school-age children die in traffic accidents every year as school bus passengers and pedestrians.

If you or your loved one have been injured in a Charlotte bus accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Under North Carolina law, victims of personal injury accidents can hold the negligent or reckless person who caused their injuries accountable for their damages. One of the best things you can do to protect your legal claim is to consult with an experienced lawyer. Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC, today to schedule your free initial consultation with one of our skilled personal injury lawyers. We have obtained millions of dollars of compensation for our clients and can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Millions of passengers in Charlotte use the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) to commute throughout Charlotte and the surrounding area. CATS operates over 300 buses and a LYNX light rail service that runs from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to City Center. Nearly 15,000 Riders use the LYNX Blue Line every week.

Public transportation accidents happen for a wide variety of reasons. In some cases, unsuspecting CATS passengers are hurt because a negligent driver collides with the city bus. In other cases, bus drivers engage in negligent or reckless behavior, causing a serious accident. Bus accidents are hazardous because of the larger size and weight of the bus. Buses are designed to carry many passengers, and passengers typically are not wearing seat belts when accidents occur, making them more vulnerable to injuries.

Charlotte transit systems that operate the CATS program have a legal duty to keep their buses and other vehicles adequately maintained to avoid injuries to passengers. Similarly, bus drivers have a legal responsibility to operate buses safely. After a bus accident on a city bus, recovering compensation will depend on who was at fault for the accident.

Suppose a third-party driver was texting while driving and sped through an intersection, colliding with the city bus head on and causing you injuries. In that case, you would pursue compensation through the at-fault driver's insurance policy or a personal injury lawsuit against the driver. If the driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may need to file a claim through your insurance policy.

If a bus or transit driver employed by the city of Charlotte causes your injuries, you may be able to bring a claim against the city of Charlotte. However, we recommend discussing your case with a lawyer as soon as possible because there are specific requirements you must meet to file a claim against a municipality.

The city of Charlotte and the state government of North Carolina allow injured victims to file a “Notice of Claim” for injuries they suffered due to the negligence of a city or state employee or agency. When you file a Notice of Claim, you will make the government aware that you are considering filing a claim against them because you have been injured and deserve compensation. You will need to fill out several forms, and one of our attorneys can help you determine which documents you need to complete. We can also help you submit your notice of claim, ensuring that you include all of the relevant information, such as:

• The time, date, and location of your ass
• An explanation of how the bus accident occurred
• Evidence proving your injuries
• The amount of compensation you are claiming for your injuries

After one of our attorneys discusses your case with you, we will investigate the facts of your bus accident. We will use the findings we discover to draft an effective and persuasive Notice of Claim.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a city bus or school bus accident, you need an experienced legal team on your side. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC, we have the resources and skills to obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation with one of our excellent personal injury lawyers.