West Virginia Bus Accident Attorney

Bus accidents often lead to devastating injuries. If you or someone you love has been injured in a bus accident caused by another person’s negligent or careless actions, you need to contact a West Virginia bus accident attorney. You may be entitled to compensation, and the team at Tiano O’Dell, PLLC is ready to help. We believe that negligent bus drivers and companies should be held accountable for their actions.

Bus Accident Resources

Causes of Bus Accidents

In many cases, bus accidents are caused by the negligence of bus drivers or by the actions of the bus companies. Bus drivers must be fully qualified to operate these large vehicles, and they should have their commercial driver’s license. Under no circumstances should a bus driver operate while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Drivers should also never operate while fatigued and should adhere to all FMCSA driving hour guidelines.

Bus companies must ensure that all vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained. If they do not, there is a risk of the bus experiencing severe mechanical failure while on the roadway. Bus companies must also never hire unqualified drivers and should ensure that each driver adheres to proper safety protocols.

What to do After a Bus Accident in West Virginia

If you are involved in a bus accident in West Virginia, there are several steps you can take to ensure you receive maximum compensation. West Virginia bus accident attorneys recommend victims take the following steps in aftermath of a crash:

  • Stay at the scene.
  • Call the police.
  • Seek medical care.
  • Take photos of everything.
  • Get eyewitness contact information.
  • Report the incident to your insurer.
  • Seek legal assistance.

Even if you do not feel any pain after a West Virginia bus crash, seek medical attention. The signs and symptoms of many accident injuries do not appear until hours or even days after a crash. When you seek medical care, you are ensuring your well-being and establishing a link between the crash and your injuries.

Bus Accident Statistics & Facts

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there are more than 250 fatalities involving large bus crashes each year in this country. Thousands more are injured and left dealing with the aftermath. Between 2007 and 2016, there were 1,282 people killed in school bus crashes in the US, with an average of 128 school bus fatalities a year.

There are around 480,000 school buses on US roadways and approximately 140,000 transit buses. These vehicles have an average weight of 38,000 pounds, considerably more than the average passenger vehicle, which weighs around 4,000 pounds.

Get the Legal Representation You Need After a West Virginia Bus Accident

If you or someone you care about has been injured in a bus accident in West Virginia, seek legal assistance today. The West Virginia personal injury lawyers at Tiano O’Dell, PLLC is ready to help you secure the compensation you need, which can include:

  • Your medical expenses related to the bus crash
  • Lost income and benefits if you are unable to work
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Loss of enjoyment of life damages
  • Possible punitive damages against the bus driver or company

We handle claims involving all types of buses, including school buses, long-distance transportation buses, regional transit buses, and more. You can schedule a free consultation of your case with one of our personal injury attorneys in Charleston by filling out our online form or calling (304) 720-6700.