Columbia, South Carolina's bustling streets see thousands of COMET buses, school buses, and commercial motor coaches navigating daily through downtown and major corridors. When these massive vehicles collide with passenger cars, motorcycles, or pedestrians, the resulting injuries can be catastrophic and life-altering.
Available 24/7 - Immediate Response for Bus Accident Cases
Bus accident victims often face overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and insurance companies that seem more interested in protecting their bottom line than providing fair compensation. Evidence disappears quickly, witnesses move away, and insurance adjusters begin building cases against you from day one.
Matthew McGuire has been fighting for South Carolina injury victims for over 30 years and knows exactly how to investigate these complex cases and hold negligent parties accountable. With offices in Columbia and availability 24/7/365, McGuire Law responds immediately when bus accidents occur—because in these cases, preserving evidence and witness statements is critical.
Bus accident cases involve multiple potential defendants including government entities, commercial carriers, and private operators. Our decades of experience navigating these complex liability scenarios ensures no responsible party escapes accountability.
COMET and school bus accidents involve government entity defendants with sovereign immunity protections. We understand how to navigate these special procedural requirements and deadline restrictions.
Federal and state transportation regulations govern commercial bus operations. We investigate compliance with driver qualification, maintenance requirements, and hours-of-service rules to establish negligence.
Bus accidents often involve multiple defendants including drivers, bus companies, maintenance contractors, and government entities. We coordinate complex litigation to maximize your recovery.
Modern buses contain GPS tracking, electronic logging devices, and onboard cameras. We act quickly to preserve this critical evidence before it's automatically deleted or overwritten.
We retain accident reconstruction specialists, transportation safety experts, and mechanical engineers who can establish how the accident occurred and who bears responsibility.
From public transit collisions to school bus crashes, we represent victims across the full spectrum of bus accident cases in Columbia and throughout South Carolina.
Collisions involving Columbia's public transit buses affecting passenger cars, pedestrians, and cyclists throughout the metro area. We navigate municipal liability claims effectively.
Accidents in Richland County School Districts including Forest Acres, Dentsville, and Northeast Columbia neighborhoods. We fight to protect injured students and families.
University of South Carolina campus shuttle accidents affecting students, faculty, and visitors near the Horseshoe and Williams-Brice Stadium areas.
Accidents on I-26, I-77, and I-20 corridors serving Columbia Metropolitan Airport and downtown attractions. We hold commercial operators accountable.
Greyhound and other intercity carrier accidents at the downtown Columbia terminal and throughout South Carolina highways.
Private organization bus incidents during group transportation to events and activities. We pursue negligent drivers and sponsoring organizations.
Claims against COMET and school districts require compliance with strict notice deadlines and procedural requirements that differ from private claims.
Bus accident cases pit injured individuals against large government entities and well-funded insurance companies. Our commitment to these core values ensures you have a powerful advocate fighting on your behalf.
Bus accident evidence disappears quickly. We mobilize immediately to photograph scenes, secure surveillance footage, and interview witnesses before critical evidence is lost.
Filing claims against government entities requires navigating sovereign immunity rules and strict procedural deadlines. Our experience ensures you don't forfeit your rights through technical errors.
Bus accident litigation can take months or years. We keep you informed at every stage, explaining developments and strategic decisions in plain language you can understand.
Bus accidents often cause severe injuries requiring extensive medical care. We pursue every available source of compensation including multiple defendants and insurance policies.
We handle bus accident cases on contingency—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. This levels the playing field against well-funded defendants.
The first hours after a bus accident are critical for both your medical care and your legal case. These steps protect your rights and strengthen your claim.
Go to Palmetto Health Richland, Prisma Health Midlands, or Providence Hospital immediately. Document all injuries even if they seem minor initially.
Contact Columbia Police Department or Richland County Sheriff's Office to ensure proper investigation and official accident reporting.
Record the bus number, route information, driver identification, and exact location for COMET, school district, or commercial carrier records.
Take photos of vehicle damage, street conditions, traffic signals, and visible injuries before vehicles are moved or repaired.
Obtain contact information from passengers, pedestrians, and drivers who witnessed the collision sequence and impact.
Call (888) 499-5738 before giving statements to insurance representatives. Evidence preservation is time-critical.
Bus accident cases require an attorney who understands the unique challenges of suing government entities, navigating commercial carrier regulations, and building cases against well-funded defendants. Matt McGuire brings over three decades of this specialized experience.
Successfully pursuing claims against COMET, school districts, and other government entities requires understanding sovereign immunity limitations and notice requirements that trap unwary claimants.
We deploy investigators immediately to secure surveillance footage, electronic data, and witness statements before this critical evidence disappears or gets overwritten.
Understanding federal motor carrier regulations, driver qualification requirements, and maintenance standards allows us to identify safety violations that establish negligence.
Bus accidents often involve multiple defendants with competing interests. We coordinate complex litigation to ensure each responsible party contributes to your recovery.
Government and commercial bus insurers deploy sophisticated tactics to minimize claims. Our experience allows us to anticipate and defeat these strategies effectively.
Bus accidents often cause severe injuries due to the size disparity between buses and passenger vehicles. We pursue full compensation for all your losses.
You have three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit, but government claims require earlier notice. Contact us immediately to protect your rights.
Successful bus accident claims require thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties and establish how they failed to exercise reasonable care.
We examine operator qualifications, training records, and driving histories maintained by COMET, school districts, and private companies to identify negligent hiring.
Vehicle maintenance logs and inspection reports from Columbia-area service facilities reveal whether mechanical failures contributed to the accident.
Route scheduling, driver fatigue policies, and hours-of-service compliance with federal transportation safety regulations establish systemic negligence.
GPS tracking, electronic logging devices, and fleet management data provide objective evidence of driver conduct before impact.
Accident reconstruction specialists, mechanical engineers, and transportation safety professionals establish liability through scientific analysis.
Bus accident claims raise unique legal questions that differ significantly from standard auto accident cases. Here are answers to the most common concerns.
Yes, but government claims require compliance with the South Carolina Tort Claims Act, including strict notice deadlines and damage caps. An experienced attorney ensures you don't forfeit your rights through procedural errors.
School districts can be held liable for driver negligence, inadequate supervision, and maintenance failures. Parents must act quickly because government entity claims have shorter notice deadlines.
South Carolina provides three years for personal injury lawsuits, but government claims require notice within two years. Commercial carrier claims may have contractual limitations. Contact us immediately.
You can recover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and future care costs. Punitive damages may be available for drunk driving or reckless operation.
No. Insurance adjusters work to minimize claims, not help you. They may use your statements against you later. Always consult with an attorney before giving any recorded statements.
Other parties may be liable including bus manufacturers, maintenance contractors, other drivers, or government entities responsible for road conditions. We investigate all potential sources of compensation.
Case values depend on injury severity, medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. Bus accidents often cause severe injuries due to vehicle size, resulting in substantial compensation.
We handle bus accident cases on contingency—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call for free to discuss your case and learn your legal options.
With over 30 years of experience defending South Carolina, McGuire Law provides elite legal representation with national recognition. McGuire Law has grown from a small practice into one of the most trusted law firms in South Carolina. We understand that legal issues can be overwhelming, whether you're facing criminal charges, dealing with injuries from an accident, or navigating family law matters.
McGuire Law is committed to each client's unique situation, and we don't believe in boilerplate solutions. Every case requires careful analysis, strategic planning, and aggressive representation. Our firm combines over 30 years of experience with cutting-edge legal strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.
McGuire Law serves all 46 South Carolina counties. We know these counties, their courts, their legal communities, and most importantly, the people who live here. This local knowledge, combined with our legal expertise, gives our clients a significant advantage.
Matt McGuire received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina.
Matt has served as a law clerk for a State Circuit Judge, an Assistant Attorney General for the State of South Carolina, and an Assistant Solicitor in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office.
Matt is a proud husband, father of two, and a long-time resident of Richland County, South Carolina.
Don't let insurance companies take advantage of you during this difficult time. Call McGuire Law now and experience the difference that personal, aggressive, and effective legal representation can make in your bus accident case.
Available 24/7/365 - Immediate Response for Bus Accident Cases
