Jacksonville Bus Accident Lawyer
Bus Accident Attorney in Jacksonville, NC
Seeking justice after a bus accident means requiring more than generic responses or standard legal tactics. You need a Jacksonville, NC, bus accident lawyer who is intimately familiar with the unique challenges involved in these types of cases and who is knowledgeable about North Carolina law. Most importantly, you need someone who will take the time to listen to your story and assess your legal options.
About Us
At Christina Rivenbark & Associates, our combined experience includes over 30 years of helping injured people throughout Southeastern North Carolina. Although our office is located in Wilmington, we proudly represent clients from Raleigh to Greenville, all the way to Jacksonville.
We know the local courts, including the Onslow County Courthouse, and we know how to work through the regional system with dispatch and efficiency. Every client is treated with respect, compassion, and the personal attention they deserve. Our approach includes providing you with direct information and truthful answers. More importantly, we care about you and your recovery.
Understanding Bus Accidents
In 2023, there were a total of 61,524 bus crashes in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of these, 12,970 were single-vehicle crashes, and 48,554 were multi-vehicle crashes.
The good news is that bus accidents are less frequent than regular passenger car accidents. For instance, national traffic data from a recent year revealed tens of thousands of bus crashes, far fewer than the millions of passenger car accidents.
The bad news is that injuries in bus accidents can be more severe. Passengers are not always restrained by seat belts, buses can hold many people, and their size makes them extremely dangerous to a driver or passenger in a smaller vehicle.
Relevant Bus Accident Laws
A few North Carolina laws specifically affect the ability to file a claim after a bus accident. To begin, most personal injury claims, including bus accident claims, are subject to a three-year statute of limitations. In the case of wrongful death, the statute of limitations for making a claim is two years.
You must also follow the Tort Claims Act if the bus is owned or operated by a government agency, including a city transit authority or a public school district. Instead of filing a claim in a civil court, you must file your claim with the North Carolina Industrial Commission. North Carolina law offers three years to file claims related to bus accidents while providing two years for wrongful death cases.
Finally, liability in bus accident cases is determined based on North Carolina’s strict contributory negligence rule. If an injured person is even 1% at fault, they may be ineligible for compensation. All of these deadlines are strict, which is why it is so important to have an experienced Jacksonville bus accident attorney on your side.
Bus Accident Compensation
Bus accidents can also raise complex issues involving insurance, state and federal bus accident laws, and numerous potentially responsible parties. You may have a right to file a bus accident claim and pursue compensation, whether you were a passenger, pedestrian, or driver of another vehicle. If you were injured in a bus accident, you may be entitled to recover the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future medical expenses
- Property damage, including vehicle replacement or repair
- Pain and suffering
- Costs associated with serious injuries, such as home modifications
- Long-term disability
Bus accidents do not have a typical settlement amount because each case is unique. You will receive compensation based on the severity of your injuries, how they have impacted your life, and the length of your recovery.
Hire a Bus Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt or suffered property damage in a bus accident, it’s not a case to go up against alone. Government agencies, insurance companies, and transportation companies can marshal large legal teams to defend their interests. When you hire a bus accident lawyer, they can represent you. They can reconstruct the accident while collecting evidence to negotiate with insurance companies and secure your full compensation.
FAQs
How Much Compensation Can You Get From a Bus Accident in Jacksonville, NC?
Damages in a bus accident case in Jacksonville, NC, depend on your injuries, medical bills, lost earnings, and how the crash affects you long-term. You may be able to recover for medical expenses, pain and suffering, future treatment, disability, and property damage. Each case is unique, so the value of a claim depends on the facts and how clearly liability can be established.
How Much Is a Bus Accident Worth?
There is no set value for a bus accident claim. Each settlement is based on several factors, including the extent of injuries, medical costs, time missed from work, permanent disability, and ongoing complications. In addition, some bus accidents may result in higher claims if liability is admitted or clear, or if the bus is owned by a government entity.
Can I File a Claim Against the City if I Get Hit by a Bus?
Yes, if a city-owned or city-operated bus is responsible for causing your injuries, you may be able to file a claim against the city. However, there are special rules that apply. The claim must be filed under the North Carolina Tort Claims Act, and you must follow the strict notice and deadline requirements of the Industrial Commission. Failure to comply with these requirements can mean losing your right to any recovery.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Bus Accident in Jacksonville, NC?
Liability for a bus accident can fall on a number of different parties. The bus driver, the bus company, a government agency, or a maintenance contractor can be at fault for a bus accident. In some cases, there may be shared liability for the accident. The bus driver could be investigated for possible driver misconduct. Vehicle maintenance logs could reveal potential negligence in that area.
Contact Christina Rivenbark & Associates Today
If you were injured in a bus accident in Jacksonville, NC, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages. Christina Rivenbark & Associates can help you. Contact us today for a consultation.
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Our Locations Leland And Wilmington
location
4009 Oleander Drive Wilmington, NC 28403
location
403 Village Road, Leland, NC 28451
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