Spartanburg Bus Accident Lawyer
A bus accident or other personal injury often begins a dark, downward spiral that seems endless. These accidents usually cause serious injuries. Buses typically do not have seat belts, and large vehicles create a tremendous amount of force. As victims try to recover, they cannot work. The financial stress affects them physically, complicating the injury treatment process and creating more financial stress, and the downward spiral continues.
The compassionate Spartanburg bus accident lawyer at The Stanley Law Group understands the constant pain and suffering these victims must endure. Many of the people on our professional team have undergone similar experiences. This compassion motivates us to work very hard when we build your case. We turn over every stone to develop proper legal theories and obtain the necessary evidence. As a result, we are well-positioned to obtain maximum compensation in an out-of-court settlement.
What Causes Bus Accidents?
Most bus drivers wear at least two hats. In addition to safely operating the vehicle, they must usually ensure that passengers are safe while they ride. This responsibility means cleaning the floor if needed and breaking up arguments before they become violent. Additionally, most bus drivers are also tour guides.
No one can safely multitask in this way. Driving a large vehicle like a municipal, intercity, or tour bus requires absolute concentration. Lack of concentration magnifies the difficulties caused by:
- Operator Impairment: Fatigue might be the most serious impairment issue among bus drivers. Frequently, bus drivers are behind the wheel early in the morning, in the middle of the day, and/or late at night, when most people are naturally drowsy. Fatigue, like alcohol, adversely affects judgment ability and motor skills.To counteract these effects, many bus drivers take amphetamines. Drug use normally makes a bad problem worse.
- Aggressive Driving: Most buses are so large and heavy that a few extra ticks on the speedometer could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. That’s especially true since many buses have poor sight lines. Other kinds of aggressive driving include following too closely and turning unsafely.
Bus drivers and other commercial operators have a high duty of care in South Carolina. Almost any driving mistake, whether aggressive driving or operator fatigue, constitutes negligence, or a lack of care.
If that’s the case, a Spartanburg bus accident lawyer can obtain compensation for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering. Frequently, a third party is legally responsible for these damages. More on that below.
Third Party Liability and Spartanburg Bus Accident Lawyers
Identifying the financially responsible party might be the most important step in the case resolution phase. The respondeat superior doctrine usually applies in bus accident cases. Under South Carolina law, employers are financially responsible for car crash damages if:
- Employee: Many bus drivers are independent contractors for most purposes. But all bus drivers are employees for negligence purposes. Employer control, such as where to go, what time to be there, and who to carry, is the determining factor.
- Scope of Employment: Even if the bus is empty and/or the driver wasn’t getting paid, the driver was acting within the scope of employment. Any activity that benefits the employer in any way satisfies this prong of the respondeat superior rule.
Vicarious liability is important for victims and it adds another thick layer to a complex case. Usually, the bus owner is an out-of-state or offshore conglomerate.
Count on a Determined Spartanburg County Lawyer
Injury victims are entitled to significant compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced bus accident lawyer in Spartanburg, contact The Stanley Law Group. Virtual, home, and hospital visits are available.
