Mount Pleasant SC Bus Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in a bus accident in Mount Pleasant, The Arndt Law Firm can help you understand your rights and pursue fair compensation. Contact an experienced Mount Pleasant, SC bus accident lawyer today for a free consultation.
Bus accidents can turn an ordinary commute or routine trip into a devastating event that impacts many lives at once. Whether it’s a CARTA bus on Coleman Boulevard, a school bus carrying students through Carolina Park and Park West, or a charter or tour bus heading across the Ravenel Bridge to Charleston attractions, passengers rely on operators to get them safely to their destinations.
​
When negligence causes bus accidents, the consequences can be devastating.
​
-
Multiple passengers often suffer serious injuries in single incidents.
​
-
The size and weight of buses mean collisions with smaller vehicles are frequently fatal for their occupants. Pedestrians struck by buses face severe injuries or death.
​
At our firm, The Arndt Law Firm, located in Mount Pleasant, we proudly represent bus accident victims throughout Charleston County and all of South Carolina.
​
An experienced Mount Pleasant, SC bus accident lawyer can ensure that victims receive the legal support they need during a challenging time. Holding negligent parties accountable can encourage bus companies to strengthen driver training, prompt municipalities to improve safety oversight, and contribute to safer roads for everyone.
​
Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Mount Pleasant
Understanding how and where bus accidents occur helps victims recognize when negligence may be a factor and when they may have a valid legal claim.
​
Driver Negligence and Error
According to findings from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, driver error and negligence are among the leading causes of bus accidents. Professional drivers must meet higher standards than ordinary motorists, as they bear a greater responsibility for passenger safety. The following are common types of driver errors and negligent behaviors that often lead to serious bus crashes:
​
Distracted Driving
Bus drivers who text, use cell phones, eat, or engage with dispatch systems while driving put everyone aboard and on surrounding roads at risk. Even a glance away from traffic at 40 miles per hour can mean traveling a long distance without seeing what’s ahead.
​
Speeding
Buses require greater stopping distances than passenger vehicles. Drivers who exceed speed limits or drive too fast for conditions cannot stop in time to avoid collisions. Speed is particularly dangerous on Highway 17, Coleman Boulevard, and other busy Mount Pleasant corridors.
​
Aggressive Driving
Impatient bus drivers who tailgate, change lanes unsafely, or run red lights to maintain schedules put everyone at risk. Schedule pressures should never compromise safety.
​
Failure to Check Blind Spots
Buses have substantial blind spots. Drivers who fail to check mirrors before lane changes, turns, or merging can strike vehicles in adjacent lanes or run over pedestrians and cyclists they never saw.
​
Improper Turns
Because buses are long and require wide turns, a driver who misjudges a turn can sideswipe nearby vehicles, jump curbs and hit pedestrians, or collide with buildings and other structures.
​
Following Too Closely
Tailgating by bus drivers leaves insufficient stopping distance. When traffic slows suddenly, rear-end collisions result, often causing serious injuries to passengers thrown forward in their seats.
​
Driver Fatigue
​
Fatigued drivers have impaired reaction times, reduced attention, and compromised decision-making abilities comparable to intoxicated drivers. Federal regulations limit hours of service for interstate bus drivers.
​
Inadequate Training
​
Bus drivers require specialized training to operate large vehicles safely. Inadequate training in defensive driving, emergency procedures, passenger management, and vehicle handling contributes to accidents.
​
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
​
Buses require rigorous maintenance schedules. Worn brakes, defective steering, tire failures, and mechanical issues can lead to devastating accidents.​​
Common Injuries in Bus Accidents
Bus accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, depending on the type of accident, speed, and whether passengers were seated and secured.
​
Head and Brain Injuries
Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, personality changes, and difficulty concentrating. Severe TBI can result in coma, permanent disability, and the need for lifelong care.
​
Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
The violent forces in bus accidents can fracture vertebrae and damage spinal cords. Spinal cord injuries may cause:
​
-
Paraplegia: Lower body paralysis affecting legs and lower trunk.
​
-
Quadriplegia: Paralysis affecting all four limbs and trunk.
​
-
Incomplete Injuries: Partial spinal cord damage leaving some function but causing significant disability.
​
Even without spinal cord damage, herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and soft tissue injuries cause chronic pain and limit function.
​
Broken Bones and Fractures
Bus passengers often sustain fractures from impact forces and falls. Common fractures include:
​
-
Arm and Wrist Fractures: Passengers instinctively brace for impact or catch themselves when thrown, resulting in forearm and wrist fractures.
​
-
Leg Fractures: Impacts from seats, handrails, or floor collisions cause femur, tibia, and fibula fractures.
​
-
Rib Fractures: Seatbelts or impacts against seats break ribs, which are particularly dangerous when broken ribs puncture lungs.
​
-
Hip and Pelvis Fractures: Elderly passengers are particularly vulnerable to hip fractures that can have life-threatening complications.
​
-
Facial Fractures: Impacts can cause fractures to the jaw, cheekbones, nose, and orbit, requiring surgery.
​
Soft Tissue Injuries
Whiplash occurs when the head snaps forward and back during a collision, damaging neck muscles, ligaments, and tendons. While sometimes dismissed as minor, whiplash causes chronic pain and disability and can require surgery and lengthy rehabilitation.
​
​
Damages Recoverable in Bus Accident Cases
South Carolina law allows comprehensive recovery for losses resulting from bus accidents caused by negligence.
​
Medical Expenses
Bus accident injuries often require extensive medical treatment, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pain management, psychological counseling, prescription medications, medical equipment, and home healthcare.
​
Future medical expenses are also recoverable when injuries require ongoing treatment, future surgeries, assistive devices, home modifications, or long-term care. Medical experts provide testimony regarding anticipated future needs and associated costs.
​
Lost Income and Earning Capacity
Time away from work during recovery results in lost wages compensable in full. Severe injuries that prevent a return to previous occupations or any work result in lost-earning-capacity claims.
​
Pain and Suffering
Physical pain from injuries, surgeries, rehabilitation, and chronic conditions deserves substantial compensation. The severity of pain, duration of suffering, and permanence of conditions all factor into pain and suffering evaluations.
​
Bus accident victims often endure months or years of treatment, multiple surgeries, and chronic pain from permanent injuries. This prolonged suffering warrants significant compensation.
​
Emotional Distress and Mental Anguish
Psychological trauma from bus accidents can be as disabling as physical injuries. Common psychological conditions include:
​
-
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and avoidance behaviors interfere with daily life and functioning.
​
-
Depression: Chronic pain, permanent disabilities, altered life circumstances, and loss of independence frequently cause clinical depression.
​
-
Anxiety Disorders: Phobias about riding buses, being in vehicles, or leaving home can severely limit life activities.
​
Treatment costs for psychological care and compensation for mental anguish are included in damage awards.
​
Scarring and Disfigurement
Permanent scars from lacerations and surgical procedures affect appearance and self-esteem. While perhaps not as severe as burn injuries, significant scarring deserves compensation for the permanent alteration to appearance and its psychological impact.
​
Loss of Consortium
Spouses of severely injured bus accident victims can pursue loss of consortium claims compensating for loss of companionship, affection, intimacy, household services, and support resulting from their spouse's injuries.
​
Wrongful Death Damages
When bus accidents prove fatal, surviving family members can pursue wrongful death claims. They can recover loss of financial support, loss of companionship and guidance, medical expenses before death, funeral and burial costs, and pain and suffering the deceased endured before death.
​
Punitive Damages
In rare cases, South Carolina courts may award punitive damages when defendants act with gross negligence, recklessness, or willful disregard for safety. Examples include bus companies knowingly operating dangerously defective vehicles, drivers operating while severely impaired, or companies systematically violating safety regulations.
​
The Legal Process for Bus Accident Claims
Filing a bus accident claim involves several important steps and legal procedures. Having an experienced attorney guide the process helps ensure that every detail is handled correctly and that the injured party’s rights are fully protected.
​
Taking the right steps immediately after a bus accident helps protect a person’s health, preserve crucial evidence, and build a stronger legal claim.
​
-
Seek Medical Attention: Even seemingly minor injuries require prompt evaluation. Some serious injuries have delayed symptoms. Medical records document injuries and establish connections between accidents and medical conditions.
​
-
Report the Accident: Ensure the accident is officially reported to the bus company and police. These reports provide essential evidence.
​
-
Document the Scene: If physically able, photograph vehicle damage, road conditions, intersection layouts, visible injuries, and anything relevant to the accident. Gather witness contact information.
​
-
Preserve Evidence: Keep all documents provided by the bus company, medical records, receipts, and correspondence. Save torn or damaged clothing and personal items.
​
-
Avoid Statements to Insurance Companies: Do not provide recorded statements or sign documents for insurance companies without consulting an attorney. Insurance adjusters seek information to minimize liability and reduce payouts.
​
Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation
This consultation helps victims understand whether they have valid claims, what defendants may be liable, and what to expect throughout the legal process.
​
Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Thorough investigation establishes liability and damages. Attorneys may:
​
-
Obtain Official Reports: Police reports and company incident reports provide foundational evidence.
-
Secure Physical Evidence: Bus damage, electronic data recorders, maintenance records, and driver logs must be preserved. Spoliation letters demand evidence preservation.
-
Interview Witnesses: Passenger statements, bystander accounts, and other driver observations establish what occurred.
-
Obtain Surveillance Footage: Traffic cameras, business security cameras, and bus interior cameras may capture accidents. This evidence must be secured promptly before it is deleted or overwritten.
-
Review Maintenance Records: Bus maintenance logs, inspection reports, and repair records provide insight into whether vehicles were maintained correctly.
-
Examine Driver Records: Driving histories, training records, hours-of-service logs, and employment files reveal whether drivers were qualified and adequately supervised.
-
Consult Experts: Accident reconstruction experts, mechanical engineers, medical experts, and vocational rehabilitation specialists provide opinions on how accidents occurred, the nature and extent of injuries, and the associated losses.
​
Identifying All Liable Parties
Bus accident cases can involve several responsible parties, not just the driver. Liability (S.C. Code 15-78-40) may extend to the bus company, maintenance contractors, parts manufacturers, other motorists, or even government agencies that oversee public buses or maintain the roads. Identifying all liable parties increases the likelihood of full and fair compensation for those injured.
​
Insurance Claims and Negotiations
Insurance companies typically offer far less than cases are worth. Strong evidence, expert testimony, and demonstrated willingness to proceed to trial are necessary to secure fair settlements.
​
Filing Lawsuits
When settlement negotiations fail, attorneys file lawsuits in the appropriate courts. South Carolina's statute of limitations requires filing most bus accident lawsuits within three years of the date of the accident. Government entity claims have shorter deadlines.
​
Discovery Phase
Discovery is the formal process of exchanging evidence. Both sides use interrogatories, document requests, requests for admission, and depositions to gather information.
​
Mediation and Settlement Conferences
Courts often require mediation before trial. Neutral mediators help parties negotiate settlements. While non-binding, mediation usually results in settlements when both sides realistically assess the strengths and weaknesses of their cases. As trials approach and both sides complete their preparations, settlement positions often evolve toward a resolution.
​
Proceeding to Trial
When cases cannot settle, they proceed to trial. Bus accident trials typically last several days to weeks, depending on their complexity and the number of parties involved.
​
Appeals in Bus Accident Cases Either party can appeal verdicts. Appeals review legal errors rather than retry facts. Appeals can significantly extend timelines, but sometimes result in favorable outcomes for victims when trial courts have made errors.​​
Why Choose The Arndt Law Firm for Bus Accident Cases
Bus accident cases require attorneys with specific knowledge, substantial resources, and commitment to holding negligent parties accountable.
​
Representation in Complex Multi-Party Matters
In bus accident scenarios, determining who is responsible may require investigating corporate records, service contracts, maintenance logs, and regulatory filings.
​
At our firm, we leverage Jonathan Arndt's extensive experience litigating motor vehicle accident claims and various personal injury cases on behalf of individuals. Having previously worked for a defense firm that represented large corporations and insurance companies, Jonathan brings valuable insight into how insurers may approach complex claims, giving our clients a significant advantage.
​
Investigation and Evidence Gathering
To build a strong bus accident case, it is often necessary to analyze the bus’s mechanical condition, driver logs, surveillance video, routing and scheduling records, as well as medical and economic impacts on the injured person.
​
The firm is dedicated to delivering exceptional legal representation to victims and their families, and assisting clients in navigating the challenges they encounter following an injury.
​
Trial-Ready Advocacy
While many cases resolve through negotiation, a bus accident matter may require being prepared to proceed to trial, especially when liability is contested or multiple parties challenge responsibility.
​
Our team at The Arndt Law Firm emphasizes thorough case preparation and aggressive negotiation. Our founder, Jonathan Arndt, has taken on large corporations, healthcare providers, and insurance companies. That background may support his ability to press a case when settlement discussions stall.
​
Client-Focused Service
Beyond legal mechanics, accident victims face physical, emotional, and financial burdens. The firm values integrity and personalized care when guiding clients through the legal process. In the context of a bus accident, that means working to ensure clients understand their rights, options, and how the case will proceed.
​
How Our Team At The Arndt Law Firm Can Assist
When someone is injured in a bus accident, the firm’s Mount Pleasant, SC bus accident lawyer can:
​
-
Evaluate who may be liable: driver, bus company, maintenance provider, public transit entity, or other party.
​
-
Identify and analyze evidence, including vehicle inspection records, driver training, and routing schedules.
​
-
Prepare and present the legal claim, drawing on Jonathan Arndt’s experience in motor vehicle and personal injury litigation.
​
At The Arndt Law Firm, our team of experienced Mount Pleasant bus accident lawyers can keep clients informed about the process and help them focus on recovery, while handling the legal work.
​​​
Frequently Asked Questions About Bus Accident Claims
​How long do I have to file a claim for a bus accident?
South Carolina's statute of limitations requires most bus accident lawsuits to be filed within 3 years of the accident date. However, claims against government entities operating public buses may have much shorter deadlines. Consulting an attorney immediately ensures all deadlines are met.
​
Can I sue if I was injured on a public bus?
Yes. An injured passenger can file a claim against a government entity that operates a public bus in South Carolina. The South Carolina Tort Claims Act allows such lawsuits but imposes notice requirements and limits on recoverable damages.
​
What if the bus driver was following all traffic laws?
A bus driver may still be negligent even when following traffic laws. Negligence can arise from unsafe driving practices, such as driving on roads with poor conditions, failing to check blind spots, or neglecting proper vehicle maintenance.
​
Who can I sue after a bus accident?
Depending on the circumstances, liability may fall on the bus driver, the operating company, a maintenance contractor, a parts manufacturer, another motorist, or a government agency. A thorough investigation identifies each responsible party.
​
How much is my bus accident case worth?
The value of a bus accident case depends on injury severity, medical expenses, lost income, long-term effects, and the degree of fault. Only a detailed evaluation of the facts can estimate potential compensation.
​
What if multiple passengers were injured in a bus accident?
When several passengers are injured in a bus accident, each may file a claim. If total damages exceed available insurance, compensation may be shared proportionally among the claimants.
​
Can I recover damages if I was standing when the bus accident occurred?
Yes. Passengers often stand during bus travel, and drivers must operate the vehicle safely with that in mind. Standing does not automatically reduce a passenger’s right to recover damages.
​
Should I accept the bus company's settlement offer?
Injured passengers may consult an attorney before accepting any settlement. Once a release is signed, the claimant generally cannot pursue additional compensation later.
​
What if I signed a release form after the accident?
A release signed immediately after an accident may not always be valid. If signed under pressure or without a complete understanding of the injuries, an attorney can review whether it limits further claims.
​
How long do bus accident cases take?
Bus accident cases vary in length. Straightforward claims may resolve within months, while complex cases involving serious injuries or multiple defendants can take one to three years.
​
What if the bus accident occurred during a school trip?
When a school bus accident occurs, liability may involve the school district, a private bus company, or another negligent driver. Claims involving minors require court approval and follow special procedural rules.
​
What if my loved one died in a bus accident?
If a bus accident causes a death, eligible family members, such as a spouse, children, or parents, may bring a wrongful death claim for financial losses, medical bills, and funeral expenses.
​
Taking the Next Step Toward Recovery and Justice
Bus accidents cause devastating injuries and life-altering consequences. When negligence causes these injuries, victims deserve compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and the profound impact accidents have on every aspect of life.
​
For Mount Pleasant residents and visitors who have suffered bus accident injuries due to negligent drivers, inadequate maintenance, or dangerous conditions, The Arndt Law Firm offers guidance, advocacy, and a path toward justice and recovery.
​
Call today at 843-469-8777 to speak with a skilled Mount Pleasant, SC bus accident lawyer.