Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers | March 9, 2026 | Car Accidents
Our hearts go out to the dozens of families currently dealing with the aftermath of the recent charter bus rollover in Robeson County. With over 30 people injured, this I-95 tragedy is a painful reminder. At least one passenger was airlifted with serious head injuries. It shows why specialized legal representation is necessary.
We have updated this guide to address the specific complexities that arise in these massive collisions. Whether you were on the bus or in a passenger vehicle, your financial recovery should reflect the full cost of your damages. A dedicated bus accident lawyer will ensure that settlement demands are equal to or surpass the cost of your losses.
Compensation to Pursue After a Bus Accident
Securing fair compensation for a bus accident can be a challenge, so try to find a bus accident lawyer as soon as possible. They will personally evaluate your damages and provide a more accurate accounting of the compensation you deserve. This kind of personalized attention is one of several benefits that come from speaking with an experienced attorney.
For now, know that bus accident victims may deserve compensation for the following.
Healthcare expenses
Bus accident victims can suffer injuries to virtually any body part, with the head, face, and spine being particularly vulnerable during a traffic collision. To be safe, you should get an extensive evaluation after the collision. Your lawyer will worry about securing compensation for that care—you need to prioritize your immediate and long-term health.
Pain and suffering
Medical costs will not measure the full extent of your losses. Every traffic accident comes with a non-economic cost. Your pain and suffering may include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), emotional anguish, psychological distress, anxiety, and physical pain—just a short list of the many types of pain and suffering you might face.
Damaged property
Your attorney will seek money to repair or replace any of your property, such as clothing or electronics, damaged during the bus accident.
Professional damages
Bus accidents can cause injuries, which can cause the accident victim to miss work, reduce their hours, and perhaps even pause their career indefinitely. Your lawyer will account for damages such as lost income, diminished earning capacity, and lost benefits when forming their financial demands.
Mental health services
You will decide whether you want to seek counseling, try medication, or take other measures to overcome any pain and suffering caused by the bus accident. If you seek these or other forms of treatment, your lawyer will seek compensation to pay for them.
Outcomes like disabling injuries and wrongful deaths can add to the cost of a bus accident—these are tragic consequences that no victim deserves. Whether you’re on your way to recovery or are permanently affected by the effects of the accident, you deserve fair compensation.
Why Buses Can Cause Immense Devastation
Bus accidents can be especially catastrophic because of the size and weight of the vehicle. When a bus collides with a smaller car, the impact force is far greater, increasing the risk of severe injuries. Many buses also lack seat belts, so passengers can be thrown into seats, windows, or the aisle during a sudden stop or rollover.
Because the injuries and legal issues are often extensive, it is critical to preserve evidence quickly. A lawyer can request surveillance video, driver logs, maintenance records, and black-box data, and can work with experts to explain what happened and who should be held accountable. Buses can be uniquely harmful for the following reasons.
Buses Rank Among the Heaviest Vehicles on the Road
Motor vehicles can range from a few thousand pounds up to 80,000. The heavier the vehicle, the more dangerous it can be during an accident—though many other variables can determine the severity of a collision.
Buses generally weigh more than 33,000 pounds. If such a heavy object hit a vehicle you were in, you likely absorbed substantial force. There is a significant chance you suffered both physical injury and psychological and emotional harm as a result of the wreck.
Buses Lack the Safety Features of Passenger Vehicles
If you were on a bus during the accident, you may not have had the protective benefit of:
- A seatbelt
- Airbags
- Headrest
- Modern seating
- Other safety features generally found in passenger vehicles
Those on a bus at the time of a collision may be more likely to be ejected from their side, hit their head, and suffer serious injuries because of the noted lack of safety features on many buses.
Bus Riders Have Little Ability to Avoid an Accident (or Protect Themselves)
When someone is driving a motor vehicle, they have some degree of control. The driver might brake, accelerate, swerve, or engage in other measures to try and avoid an accident. When you’re on a bus, you are at the mercy of others.
To be clear, even those driving their own vehicle can be seriously injured in a bus accident, but the lack of control is one more reason why bus riders may be at great risk during a crash.
Your Lawyer Will Figure Out Who Should Pay for Your Damages (The Robeson County Example)
In the recent I-95 incident, troopers reported that a tire blowout caused the bus to veer, and a subsequent overcorrection led to the rollover. This highlights why an experienced bus accident lawyer must investigate multiple parties.
A Private Company
Many buses are privately owned, and this may include, Charter busses, Tour buses, Greyhound buses, Shuttle buses, etc. A significant factor in the recent I-95 crash will be determining if the tire blowout caused by poor maintenance. Bus owners are often liable for accidents involving their property.
The legal doctrine of strict liability means that vehicle owners are often liable for accidents involving their property. Private bus owners may also contribute to an accident by hiring unfit drivers, failing to service vehicles, and engaging in other types of negligence. In either case, the bus owner may be liable for your damages.
The Bus Driver
While mechanical failures are sudden, drivers have a duty to respond with professional caution. If an overcorrection was found to be negligent, the driver or their employer may be held responsible. Bus drivers may be professionals, but they’re not perfect. In some cases, they can be utterly reckless. The driver of the bus involved in your accident may be liable for:
- Speeding
- Texting while driving
- Engaging in conversation with passengers while driving
- Tailgating
- Failing to yield to traffic, pedestrians, or traffic signals
- Engaging in any other careless or reckless behavior that led to your accident
A bus driver might also be liable if they ignored signs that the bus was defective. Operating a bus comes with immense responsibility, including the duty to exercise the utmost caution. If a bus driver did not live up to this duty, they may be personally liable for your accident-related damages.
A Bus Manufacturer
If any bus-related defect contributed to your accident, the bus or defective component manufacturer may owe you compensation for damages. If defects in another motor vehicle caused the collision, that vehicle manufacturer may be liable.
Public Authorities
A public authority, such as a state, county, or city government, may be liable when one of their buses is involved in a collision. School buses and public transit are two specific types of multi-passenger vehicles that may be publicly owned.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
In most cases, you will be dealing with powerful commercial insurance companies. It is best to have an attorney handle these representatives for the following reasons.
Insurers have an incentive to underpay
Insurance companies make money by paying as little as possible on claims. Adjusters often look for ways to limit what they owe by questioning the severity of injuries, disputing medical treatment, or arguing that a victim shares some of the blame. In serious head or spine injury cases, they may push for a quick settlement before doctors fully understand the long-term effects.
Early settlement offers often fail to account for future surgeries, rehabilitation, lost earning capacity, and ongoing medical care. Once you accept an offer, you typically give up the right to pursue additional compensation later, even if your condition worsens. An experienced attorney can evaluate the full value of your claim, push back against unfair tactics, and negotiate from a position of strength to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Bad faith happens
Tactics include misrepresenting policies or pressuring victims for statements while they are in a compromised state. They can also delay the claim process, hoping you will accept less out of frustration or financial pressure. Having legal representation helps level the playing field and protects your rights from the start.
Because more than one party may be responsible, identifying each liable party early can significantly affect the case outcome.
Evidence preservation
Evidence preservation is critical in head and spine injury cases because key proof can disappear quickly. An attorney can file a “letter of spoliation” and take steps to protect key evidence. They can secure vehicle “black box” data, dashcam footage, surveillance video, phone records, maintenance logs, and incident reports. This helps prevent people from losing items or overwriting them.
They can also coordinate prompt medical documentation. Early imaging, specialist evaluations, and detailed treatment notes help connect the crash to your symptoms and show how the personal injury affects your daily life. This reduces the insurer’s ability to argue that your condition was pre-existing or not serious.
Finally, a lawyer can help you avoid common mistakes that can harm your claim. These include giving recorded statements, signing broad medical releases, or posting about your injuries online. With the right evidence and careful communication, you position your case for a fair settlement or, if necessary, litigation.
Don’t Stress, Bus Accident Survivors. Hire a Lawyer Today
You can hire a bus accident lawyer at no upfront cost. Your attorney will have to secure compensation for you to receive a fee. This means no risk for you and every reason for your lawyer to fight aggressively for your financial recovery.
Call a bus accident lawyer to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.