Charlotte Bus Accident Lawyer

When a Bus Accident Involves Charlotte, the Rules Can Change

Bus collisions can harm passengers inside the vehicle and pedestrians or occupants of other cars. Vehicles may be owned by public transit agencies, commercial operators, or individuals, who can all play a role in causing a crash. A Charlotte bus accident lawyer can explain liability laws in North Carolina, evaluate legal options, and help injured victims pursue compensation from negligent parties.

Dedicated Bus Accident Representation at Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC

At Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC, we’ve been assisting injured people and families across Charlotte, North Carolina, and Spartanburg, South Carolina for over ten years. Our personal injury attorneys understand personal injury law and know how to help victims hurt by someone else’s careless actions.

We know that bus accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation, leaving many clients concerned about their medical bills and future employment. We offer personalized legal counsel to help clients understand their accidents and seek damages under state and federal laws.

Common Types of Bus Accidents in Charlotte

Residents of Charlotte rely on public transportation services as commuters traveling to and from work, students attending school, and visitors exploring what our region has to offer. The Charlotte Area Transit System provides bus routes throughout the city and county, linking communities such as University City, South End, and Plaza Midwood to job centers.

Public Transit Bus Accidents

Charlotte public transit buses travel throughout the city on busy roadways like North Tryon Street, South Boulevard, and Independence Boulevard (U. S. 74). Collisions can happen when motorists make unsafe turns, tailgate buses without enough stopping distance, or drive into dangerous traffic conditions.

Passengers can even be injured without direct impact from another vehicle. Faulty braking or acceleration, unsafe bus stops, or rushing passengers can cause pedestrians to fall inside a bus.

School Bus Accidents

School transportation services take students across Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and local districts. Accidents may occur due to collisions with other vehicles, unsafe passenger loading and unloading techniques, or negligence on behalf of the driver. School bus claims may involve government entities and raise issues of governmental immunity. Some claims may need to be presented to an administrative board instead of in court.

Charter and Private Bus Accidents

Private charter buses take passengers to sporting events at Bank of America Stadium and concerts at the Spectrum Center among many other events in Charlotte. Other private buses may provide transportation for local companies or events. When buses operate in interstate commerce, they could be held to federal transportation rules. Identifying which rules apply depends on the facts of operation and type of vehicle used.

Shuttle Bus Accidents

Hotels, airports, universities, and companies may provide shuttle bus services to employees and guests. Collisions that involve airport transportation near Charlotte Douglas International Airport or transport vehicles along Billy Graham Parkway can raise issues concerning employer liability and commercial insurance policies.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents

Bus accidents can occur due to driver negligence or mechanical problems with a bus. Other vehicles on the road or poor safety decisions can also contribute to these accidents. Common reasons for bus accidents include:  

• Driver distraction. Texting and driving or not paying attention to surrounding vehicles can prevent motorists from stopping in time.
• Driver fatigue. Driving while tired can decrease a driver’s ability to respond to changing road conditions and make decisions.
• Speeding. Speed limits should always be followed, but it is especially important for large vehicles. When buses drive too fast, they require longer distances to come to a complete stop and can become more difficult to maneuver.
• Improper maintenance. Faulty brakes, worn tires, and steering issues can increase the risk of collision.
• Unsafe lane changes. Large buses have large blind spots. If drivers are not careful, they could cause a collision when changing lanes.
• Inadequate training. Drivers should understand how to handle their specific vehicles and how to respond in emergencies. Bus companies should train their drivers accordingly.

Determining fault after a bus accident depends on the circumstances leading up to the crash. There may be an obvious cause of a crash, but investigators can identify other potential issues involving operation, maintenance, or company policies.

For instance, if a bus driver caused a collision near the I-77 and I-85 interchange due to unsafe lane changing, but a lack of maintenance contributed to the crash, there could be multiple causes for the crash.

North Carolina and Federal Bus Accident Laws

Bus companies have to follow traffic laws when on the road with passengers and exercise care when passing near other vehicles.

N. C. Gen. Stat.  § 20-140 prohibits motorists from driving recklessly or with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others. This statute can apply to bus drivers driving too fast for conditions or making unsafe lane changes.

Commercial bus operators who drive in interstate commerce may also be subject to federal regulations by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Federal regulations set hours-of-service limitations on certain commercial passenger motor vehicle drivers.

Essentially, this rule states that a driver can only drive if they have not driven more than ten hours after eight consecutive hours off duty. Furthermore, it’s against the law for anyone to drive a commercial vehicle if they’ve exceeded 15 hours of duty time following a minimum of 8 hours off.

These federal rules do not apply to every school bus, city transit bus, or private shuttle bus. The specific facts of operation and type of vehicle do determine which set of laws apply.

Bus Accident Statistics

Bus accidents have severe consequences for those on board the bus and others on the road. Federal statistics show just how dangerous bus accidents can be to passengers. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2022 report: 

• 213 buses were involved in fatal crashes in 2022, up from 205 in 2021.
• 87 school buses were involved in fatal crashes in 2022.
• 74 transit buses were involved in fatal crashes during the same year.

Bear in mind, these numbers only reflect buses involved in fatal incidents, excluding any passengers who lost their lives or drivers whose negligence caused the accident.

Liability in Bus Accidents

Carefully investigate what caused a bus accident before determining who may be liable. While a driver can cause a collision, other parties could be responsible if their negligence caused the accident. A bus driver can be liable if their negligent acts caused the collision. Some examples of negligence include distracted driving, failure to yield, or disobeying traffic laws.

A private transportation company can be liable for hiring an employee who caused an accident while working. A company can be directly negligent if they fail to maintain a vehicle or ignore driver qualification guidelines.

If a third-party maintenance contractor made negligent repairs, they can be responsible for mechanical failures. Parts and vehicle manufacturers can be liable under product liability law if defective products contributed to the crash. Other negligent motorists can also cause bus accidents. If a car driver changes lanes into the path of an oncoming bus, the bus driver may have to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

Determining who is at fault when multiple parties are involved can become complex and depend on each person’s actions and the law.

Compensation for Bus Accident Victims

Negligent parties are responsible for damages they cause. Injury victims can seek compensation for losses they suffered because of someone else’s careless actions. For those injured, they may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages include bills for emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and future medical expenses due to injuries from the accident. Victims who miss work due to their injuries can recover lost wages. People who suffer permanent injuries that affect their ability to work in the future can also recover future loss of earning capacity.

Non-economic damages are those that are not readily quantifiable with an invoice or payment. They include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Wrongful death damages are available to qualifying individuals if the accident resulted in a fatality. A Charlotte bus accident attorney can determine what damages you can recover based on your accident.

Like any injury claim, compensation depends on the facts of your case and who is liable for the accident. Claims involving government agencies have their own special recovery limits.

Hire a Bus Accident Lawyer

Attorneys investigate accidents to determine how the collision occurred. An attorney can obtain the police report, interview passengers, and obtain surveillance video of the accident scene, if available. The attorney can also obtain the bus maintenance records.

If the bus involved in your accident was commercially driven, an attorney can obtain the driver’s qualification file and inspection history. Lawyers know federal regulations that bus companies have to follow and can determine if there were any violations.

When you hire a bus accident lawyer, they can negotiate with insurance companies and file a claim when necessary. Attorneys can identify every party that may be responsible for causing your injuries.

Speak With Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC Today

Our lawyers at Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC can help injury victims throughout Charlotte and Mecklenburg County get the compensation they deserve. We can guide you through every step of the legal process and help you understand your options. Bus accidents involving public transit, school children, and private charters can hold multiple parties responsible. Contact our offices today to discuss your legal options.

Our Charlotte Law Firm Office​

Address: 4801 E Independence Blvd #700, Charlotte, NC 28212

Phone: 704-569-9800

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