Greenville Bus Accident Lawyer

If you suffered injuries in a bus accident in Greenville, South Carolina, you need legal assistance from the personal injury attorneys at The Melonakos Law Firm. Bus drivers and the companies that employ them are subject to strict rules and regulations and can be liable when their negligence causes injuries. Our attorneys are ready to help you file an insurance claim against the responsible parties and pursue financial compensation for your losses.

If your injuries were not your fault, you deserve a Greenville bus accident lawyer who will fight to protect your rights and interests in a personal injury lawsuit.

Contact our office online or call us now to set up a free consultation with a bus accident lawyer in Greenville. We are ready to discuss your rights and legal options for pursuing maximum compensation.

Reasons to Select Our Firm for Your Bus Accident Case

At The Melonakos Law Firm, we are dedicated to providing compassionate and empathetic legal counsel to injured people. Our clients often come to us at the most difficult periods of their lives, and we strive to help them overcome their challenges.

We have an established track record of successfully handling traffic accident claims and have won several multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements in our past eight years of practice, including a $1.2 million settlement in a truck collision case. While past results do not guarantee future outcomes, they do demonstrate our law firm’s experience with handling complex personal injury cases.

Read some of our positive reviews from past clients to better understand what it is like to work with our personal injury attorneys. Here is what a satisfied client had to say about our work:

“I couldn’t have asked for a better Attorney and case manager! Marissa and Attorney JP were awesome handling my case! They went above and beyond for me and I highly recommend using them!” – Maria

Factors Making Bus Crash Claims More Complex

There are several reasons why pursuing a bus accident claim can be more challenging and complex than pursuing a typical car accident claim. Some examples include:

• More severe injuries – Bus accidents cause extensive damage and catastrophic injuries, so it can be challenging to account for the full extent of the victim’s losses.
• Multiple vehicles – Bus accidents often involve multiple vehicles, which can complicate accident reconstruction and the identification of causality.
• Multiple injured people – Because buses frequently transport large numbers of individuals, bus accidents often result in numerous personal injury claims.
• Regulations and compliance – Buses are subject to many commercial regulations and compliance rules that could impact how you pursue a claim for compensation.
• Government liability – Accidents on public transit in Greenville, like the Greenville Transit Authority’s Greenlink Transit buses, or crashes involving public school buses, can include government entities. Suing a government entity differs from suing a private entity and is subject to the South Carolina Tort Claims Act.

Types of Buses Involved in Crashes in Greenville

S.C. Code 56-3-20(12) defines a bus as any motor vehicle primarily designed for transporting people that carries more than 10 passengers. Under this definition, there are several types of buses involved in crashes in Greenville, such as:

• Transit buses, like Greenlink Transit buses
• Intercity buses, like Greyhound
• Tour buses
• School buses, both public and private
• Charter buses
• Church buses
• Assisted living and senior outing buses

Buses can be owned by either private or public entities, which can impact how a claim or lawsuit progresses.

Common Causes and Types of Bus Accidents in Greenville, SC

Bus accidents can occur for various reasons, ranging from negligent operation to mechanical failures. Some of the most common causes of bus accidents in Greenville include:

• Negligent driving – Many bus accidents occur due to careless drivers, including bus drivers and other motorists. Negligent driving behaviors can include speeding, ignoring road signs, improper lane changes, distracted driving, fatigued driving, and failure to yield the right-of-way.
• Mechanical failures – Mechanical failures from defective parts, such as brakes or tires, can cause bus accidents and passenger injuries.
• Road conditions – Poor road conditions, resulting from adverse weather or inadequate maintenance, can cause buses to lose control and crash into other vehicles and pedestrians.
• Lack of maintenance – Critical bus safety systems can fail if the bus company does not properly maintain and repair its fleet.

Below are some of the most common types of bus accidents in Greenville, SC:

• Traffic collisions – Buses are frequently involved in traffic collisions with other motorists and buses. Buses are large, so traffic collisions involving them tend to be highly destructive.
• Improper driving – Negligent bus drivers might take turns too sharply or brake too quickly, causing passengers to fall or collide with the inside of the bus.
• Falling luggage – If bus staff do not adequately secure luggage, it can fall from overhead bins and strike passengers on the head and neck.
• Terminal or bus stop injuries – Bus passengers might also sustain injuries while at the terminal or on the bus platform, such as slip-and-fall injuries.

Types of Injuries from Bus Accidents

According to data from the National Safety Council, buses have a significantly lower fatality rate per mile traveled compared to standard passenger vehicles. However, bus accidents are still capable of causing severe and catastrophic injuries. Below are some common injuries that bus accidents can cause:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Organ damage and internal injuries
• Abrasions and burns
• Crushing injuries
• Amputations
• Head injuries and concussions
• Cuts and lacerations
• Whiplash and neck injuries
• Sprains and muscle strains
• Bruises and soft-tissue injuries

Who Can Be Held Liable in Bus Accident Cases?

Liability in a bus accident depends on the root cause of the crash. If the accident happened because of negligent driving, the bus operator and the bus company could be held liable for passenger injuries. Similarly, bus companies can be liable if they hire unqualified drivers or support staff who cause injuries. Other motorists may be responsible if their negligence contributed to the crash.

For bus accidents due to defective bus parts, the vehicle manufacturer can bear responsibility. A maintenance company could be liable if improper bus maintenance or repairs led to the accident.

The first phase of a bus accident claim is an investigation where your experienced personal injury attorney will gather evidence to prove liability. In some cases, multiple entities might share liability, which could allow victims to pursue each party individually for compensation.

A successful bus accident case could provide fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other losses.

How The Melonakos Law Firm Can Help Bus Accident Victims

Bus accidents can be complex, making related personal injury claims more complicated to pursue. That makes it imperative for you to enlist the help of an experienced Greenville bus accident attorney. The Melonakos Law Firm stands with victims of bus accidents and is prepared to fight to hold negligent drivers and bus companies responsible for the harm they have caused.

Let us manage your claim throughout the whole process from start to finish, taking the legal burden off your shoulders. Our firm is committed to justice and will use every available strategy and avenue to pursue a favorable resolution in your case.

Contact our office online or call today for a free case consultation with a Greenville bus accident attorney.