Bus Accident Lawyers Knoxville, TN
Mr. Trotz was recognized from 2019-2023 as a Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Star. Mr. Trotz is also a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Memphis Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association where he serves on the Executive Committee. READ OUR EDITORIAL GUIDELINES
Mr. Trotz was recognized from 2019-2023 as a Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Star. Mr. Trotz is also a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Memphis Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association where he serves on the Executive Committee. READ OUR EDITORIAL GUIDELINES
Bus accidents happen too frequently in Knoxville, whether on public transportation, school buses, or charters. An injury from a crash can lead to extremely high medical bills, debilitating pain, and emotional distress. The NST Law bus accident lawyers in Knoxville, TN, are here to help you recover the compensation you deserve. We can investigate the accident, advocate for your best interests, and protect your rights throughout the legal process.
Thousands of people travel by bus in Knoxville daily, and, unfortunately, accidents happen, whether involving Knoxville Area Transit, church, school, or charter buses.
If you’re dealing with injuries from a bus accident in Knoxville, TN, or the surrounding areas such as Sevierville, Maryville, Clinton, or East Tennessee, you need the guidance of the experienced team at NST Law. Our bus accident injury lawyers will help you understand your rights and options for getting compensation.
Table Of Contents
Types of Bus Accidents We Can Help You Pursue
Many different scenarios can lead to a bus accident injury. Let’s look at some types of bus accidents our team can help you with.
- At-Fault Driver
The bus driver or another passenger vehicle driver may be at fault for the accident. Perhaps someone ran a red light, did not stop at a stop sign, failed to yield to oncoming traffic when turning, or lost control of the vehicle while speeding on the highway. In such a case, the at-fault driver, or their insurance company, would be responsible for paying your compensation.
- Driving Under the Influence
A bus driver or another motorist could also have been driving impaired, leading to the accident. While driving under the influence is a criminal offense, these cases can also lead to a negligence claim.
- Fatigued Driver
Long shifts and tight schedules can cause a driver to become too tired to operate a bus safely. Fatigue impairs bus drivers’ alertness, focus, and reaction speed, significantly increasing the chances of accidents.
- Distracted Driving
An accident can happen when a driver’s attention becomes diverted. Texting, cellphone use, and eating while driving are a few examples of distracted driving. When bus drivers are distracted, they are more likely to make errors, react slowly, or overlook hazards, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Employer Issue
Certain accidents happen because an employer failed to properly train the bus driver. In such a case, the employer could be held liable and would have to compensate you for your injuries and losses.
- Mechanical Problem
All vehicles have problems now and then. Sometimes, a bus has a mechanical issue, such as a brake problem or tire blowout. When such an issue causes a bus accident, the bus company could be at fault for failing to maintain the bus properly. On the other hand, a part manufacturer may be responsible for a defective component that caused the accident.
In some cases, accidents result from the negligence of multiple parties, so liability is shared. Whatever happened that led to your bus accident injury, your best way forward is to talk to a Knoxville injury attorney.
Common Injuries After a Bus Accident
Bus accidents can cause many different types of injuries. However, a few injuries are more common than others.
Head and Neck Injuries
Unfortunately, head injuries are common in bus accidents because a rider’s head may get slammed against their seat or the seat in front of them. Such impacts can cause brain injuries, such as bleeding or swelling. The neck can also be severely injured from whiplash.
Internal Organ Damage
When someone is crushed or thrown in an accident, they may experience internal injuries and bleeding. These injuries can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
Broken Bones
Buses often do not have seatbelts. Thus, passengers are prone to suffering broken bones when thrown around or ejected from their seats during accidents. Debris and items sent flying can also collide with passengers during an accident, causing fractures and other injuries.
Contact the lawyers at NST Law as soon as you’re in a Knoxville hospital dealing with your bus accident injuries.
How Our Accident Lawyers in Knoxville, TN, Can Help
The details can get complicated fast after a bus collision. That’s why discussing your situation with an experienced bus accident attorney in Knoxville, TN, is important. You need to work with a legal professional who understands Tennessee law and can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Our attorneys will guide you through the process, which includes these steps:
- Researching case details: We will work tirelessly to find out what happened and gather evidence.
- Investigating claims: Our team investigates if you can bring a claim against the bus driver, other drivers, the driver’s employer, the manufacturer, and any other potentially liable parties.
- Interviewing witnesses: Part of our process is talking to anyone else present at the accident to determine what happened and who might be responsible for your damages.
- Negotiating with defendants and insurers: Our attorneys are skilled and experienced negotiators well-versed in the tactics that insurers and corporations use to duck liability. We’ll counter those tactics and advocate for a maximum settlement on your behalf.
- Fighting for compensation: We will work on building a case to help you pursue compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and other losses. If we don’t receive a fair settlement offer, we’ll take your case to trial.
At NST Law, we have over 30 years of experience helping clients fight for the compensation they deserve. If you’ve been in a bus accident, our team of knowledgeable attorneys can help you understand your options.
Available Compensation for Bus Injuries
There are a few types of compensation you may receive for a bus accident, including the following:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity in the future
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
In some cases, punitive damages are also available. These additional damages may be awarded when the at-fault party acted maliciously, intentionally, fraudulently, or recklessly.
Statute of Limitations for Bus Accidents
Act as quickly as possible after you’ve been injured in an accident. In Tennessee, the statute of limitations for a bus accident is only one year from the incident. This means you only have a year from the crash date to file a lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, you may lose your right to pursue compensation.
No matter how much time has passed, talk to a bus accident attorney at NST Law. We will get to know your case details quickly and explain your options.
Why Work With NST Law?
After a crash, you need assistance from bus accident lawyers in Knoxville, TN. At NST Law, our attorneys have been handling bus accident cases for decades. We will work tirelessly to investigate your case and advocate for your best interest at the negotiating table and, if necessary, in the courtroom.
We also help clients in other surrounding areas communities, including Sevierville, Maryville, Seymour.
Call the “Champions for the Injured” at NST Law today to set up a consultation with our Knoxville, TN, personal injury attorneys.
FAQs About Bus Accident Injuries in Knoxville
Our attorneys have been handling bus accident cases for decades. You may have many questions while navigating your healing process and the legal system. Here are some frequently asked questions to help you get started.
Our attorneys will review your case and gather evidence about what happened. We will then advise you on whether we have enough to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation for you.
It depends. These cases can be complicated. A comprehensive investigation is often necessary to determine who was at fault. The bus driver, their employer, another driver, or even a vehicle manufacturer may be at fault.
The attorneys at NST Law understand what you are going through after an accident. We can investigate what happened, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and file a lawsuit if necessary.
Bus accidents are more common than you may think. Bus crashes can lead to severe injuries, especially because passengers usually do not have seatbelts or airbags to protect them.
