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North Carolina School Bus Accident Lawyer | Tatum & Atkinson

North Carolina School Bus Accident Lawyer

Home / Truck Accident Attorney / North Carolina School Bus Accident Lawyer

Nobody expects children to get injured on their way to and from school, but sadly, these accidents can happen. An attorney can help review the case to determine who was liable and hold the responsible parties accountable. Your school bus accident lawyer will be able to negotiate with the school district and insurers on your family’s behalf, allowing you to focus on your child’s needs.

In the unfortunate event that your child has been injured in a school bus accident, you will need an experienced school bus accident attorney on your side. At Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ we have the unique knowledge and experience to handle the complex challenges that these cases can present and are dedicated to protecting our clients’ rights. School bus accident cases often involve multiple parties, and determining liability can be difficult. Contact our office today to receive a no-obligation, free consultation.

School Bus Accident Statistics

Across the U.S around 25 million school children are transported to and from school by a school bus daily. That is about half of all U.S. public school students. While school buses are generally considered a safe and effective means of transportation, school bus accidents can happen, and children riding on a school bus may get injured. Around 60,000 school bus accidents occur in the U.S. each year. School bus accidents may be caused by:

  •   Driver negligence
  •   Negligence on behalf of the school bus company, such as inadequate maintenance, hiring, or training practices
  •   Poor road conditions
  •   Colliding with traffic during a left-hand turn
  •   Negligent actions of another motorist, such as failing to yield.

School Bus Accident Injuries

School bus accidents can lead to severe injuries, which is why it is essential to discuss your case with an experienced school bus accident lawyer in the event your child has been involved in one. Although school bus collisions are not very common, they tend to lead to more severe injuries. This is due to the fact that passengers often do not wear seatbelts and due to the sheer weight and size of the bus. If your child has been involved in a school bus accident, it is vital that they receive medical attention right away, even if they don’t believe they have been injured. Injuries such as soft tissue injuries, whiplash, and other injuries such as TBI (traumatic brain injury) may not present with symptoms immediately.

Injuries incurred from a school bus accident may vary significantly from situation to situation. However, common school accident injuries include:

In addition to physical injuries, it is not uncommon for accident injury victims to suffer from emotional and mental distress, such as PTSD.

Can a School Bus Lawyer Help Me Recover Damages?

If your child has sustained injuries stemming from a school bus accident, your family may be able to recover compensation for the following:

  • Lost wages
  • Medical expenses
  • Other expenses related to injuries
  • Pain and suffering
  • Punitive damages
  • Wrongful death

An experienced school bus accident attorney can help your family determine the compensation your loved one may be entitled to following an accident.

What to Do if Your Child Has Been Injured in a School Bus Accident

In the event that your child has become injured in a school bus accident, there are several essential steps you should take following the accident to ensure your loved one’s claim is protected. These steps include the following:

Call The Police

Ensure that the police have been notified of the accident and that a police report has been made for the accident.

Ensure Your Child Receives Medical Treatment

If your child has been injured in a school bus accident, they should receive a medical evaluation as soon as possible following the accident, even if they do not believe they have been injured. In accidents, frequently, individuals may not exhibit injury symptoms until hours or days following the accident.

File A School Bus Accident Claim

After speaking with an attorney and discovering all liable parties, you may be advised to file a personal injury claim. After this, liability and compensation will be definitively determined.

How Will a School Bus Accident Attorney Help Me?

There are many reasons why you should strongly consider retaining an experienced school bus accident attorney following a school bus collision. The sooner you obtain representation, the sooner you will be able to ensure that your claim is protected and that your right to just compensation is fought for. Below discover some reasons why it is advisable to retain a school bus accident lawyer.

1. Costly Medical Expenses

School bus accidents often lead to severe injuries, lost wages, and even permanent disability or death. Insurance companies and/or trucking companies may deny fault or may attempt to offer a settlement figure that will not adequately cover your current and future expected medical expenses. An experienced attorney can help ensure that your damages are adequately compensated, including projected future losses.

2. Determine Liability

School bus accidents are often complex, as multiple parties may be liable, and injuries are often severe. Liability is often unclear or may be otherwise disputed. An experienced attorney can help obtain valuable evidence and testimony to determine liability.

3. Cover Your Losses

Damages from involvement in a school bus accident often far exceed medical expenses and property damage. You or a loved one may have also sustained the following types of damages:

  •   Lost wages
  •   Loss of earning capacity
  •   Pain and suffering
  •   Mental anguish
  •   Physical disfigurement
  •   Wrongful death

As some of these losses are non-tangible, you will need an experienced school bus accident lawyer to fight aggressively for your right to fair compensation.

4. Handle Insurers

Insurance companies are often for-profit corporations, so it is in their interest to minimize costs paid out in settlements. Therefore, they will attempt to pay you as little as possible following a collision. Insurers may use your own words against you or hire professionals to discredit your claim. Don’t try to negotiate with insurers alone. Call an experienced personal injury attorney who will be able to help manage these negotiations for you and fight for the compensation you deserve.

5. Build Your Case

An experienced school bus accident attorney can help you gather the evidence you need to protect and strengthen your claim. Evidence may include:

  •   Photographs and/or video footage
  •   Witness testimony
  •   Expert testimony
  •   Accident reconstruction evidence
  •   Medical records
  •   Police report
  •   And more

6. Get Legal Advice

School bus truck accident cases can be confusing and complex. However, you can rely on your School bus accident attorney to put your mind at ease and allow you to focus your attention and energy on recovering. In addition, your attorney will be able to advise you as to the best steps moving forward to obtain the best possible outcome for your claim.

School Bus Accident Attorney

If your child has been injured in a school bus accident, it is important to work with an experienced school bus accident attorney to ensure that the injured victim’s rights are upheld and that they receive the just compensation they deserve. Call Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters’ at(800) 529-0804 or contact us online to receive your free case evaluation.