CARTA Accidents Attorney in Charleston

Name: CARTA Accidents
Brand: Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm
Rating: 5 (255 reviews)

If you were injured in a CARTA accident, your life can change in seconds. Crashes involving buses operated by the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority often result in serious injuries and legal roadblocks that most people never see coming. Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm stays on the offense from day one, always applying pressure and pushing your claim toward the strongest possible outcome.

Demand Every Dollar This Crash Took From You

The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is the public bus system serving Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, and surrounding areas in the Lowcountry. CARTA operates dozens of fixed routes and shuttles, carrying millions of riders who rely on it for daily transportation across the region. While ridership continues to grow each year, buses still share busy roads with cars, trucks, pedestrians, and cyclists, and collisions with CARTA vehicles do occur. Because CARTA buses are large and heavy compared to other vehicles, those crashes often lead to serious injuries and long-term consequences.

A CARTA accident refers to any collision involving a CARTA bus or transit vehicle, whether with another vehicle, a pedestrian, or a cyclist. CARTA accidents can result from driver negligence, poor road conditions, or other motorists' actions.

The impact can be significant: victims may face significant medical bills, lost income, and lasting physical trauma. In cases like this, having an experienced Charleston CARTA accident lawyer on your side is crucial.

Types of CARTA Accident Injuries

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Head injuries are common in CARTA accidents due to sudden stops, impacts, or being thrown inside the bus. Traumatic brain injuries can affect memory, mood, and even personality, often requiring long-term treatment and disrupting your ability to work or live independently.

Spinal Cord and Back Injuries

The force of a large bus crash can damage the spinal cord, discs, or surrounding nerves. These injuries may cause chronic pain, limited mobility, or paralysis, fundamentally changing how you move, work, and care for yourself on a daily basis.

Broken Bones and Orthopedic Injuries

Fractures to the arms, legs, ribs, or hips often occur when passengers or drivers absorb the impact of a collision. These injuries can require surgery, months of rehabilitation, and may never fully heal, especially in high-force bus crashes.

Internal Injuries and Organ Damage

Blunt-force trauma from a CARTA accident can cause internal bleeding or damage to organs such as the liver, lungs, or spleen. These injuries are serious because symptoms may be delayed, yet they often require emergency intervention and extended hospitalization.

Soft Tissue and Neck Injuries

Whiplash, torn ligaments, and muscle damage can cause lasting pain and reduced range of motion. Though sometimes dismissed as minor, soft tissue injuries frequently lead to chronic discomfort, missed work, and ongoing medical treatment long after the crash.

Common Reasons for CARTA Accidents

CARTA accidents rarely happen without warning. Most are the result of preventable failures by drivers, systems, or the conditions surrounding the bus. These crashes are rarely “just accidents” and usually trace back to preventable failures, including:

Distracted or inattentive bus drivers
Driver fatigue from long or demanding routes
Speeding or unsafe lane changes
Failure to yield or obey traffic signals
Poor vehicle maintenance or mechanical defects
Brake, tire, or steering system failures
Dangerous road conditions or construction zones
Inclement weather reducing visibility or traction
Reckless or impaired driving by other motorists

Why Choose Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm for CARTA Accidents?

When you’re injured in a CARTA crash, you’re not just dealing with another driver: you’re up against a government transit authority with its own rules, lawyers, and timelines. These cases involve strict notice requirements, shortened deadlines, and defenses that delay, deflect, and deny responsibility. The Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm team knows how this system works, and more importantly, how to push back strategically. We investigate aggressively, lock down evidence early, and apply pressure before the defense gets comfortable.

Gus Anastopoulo built this firm by refusing to play nice with insurance companies and institutional defendants. That same approach drives our CARTA accident cases. You gain access to an attorney who keeps you updated throughout the case, a coordinated legal team that handles every detail, and a strategy built to force accountability. We don’t let CARTA or its insurers control the pace or the narrative. We stay on the offense, keep your case moving, and pursue the strongest possible outcome, because anything less lets them off easy.

Who Can Be Held Liable for CARTA Accidents?

Liability in a CARTA accident is rarely simple. These cases demand a deep investigation into how the crash happened, who controlled the bus, who maintained it, and whether outside forces contributed. We analyze driver conduct, maintenance records, surveillance footage, black-box data, road conditions, and third-party involvement to identify all responsible parties. Because CARTA is a government-operated transit system, liability may extend beyond a single driver, and missing even one liable party can limit your recovery.

Depending on the facts of your case, parties who may be held liable include:

The CARTA bus driver, for negligent or unsafe operation
The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority, for hiring, training, or policy failures
Maintenance contractors responsible for inspections or repairs
Parts manufacturers, in cases involving defective brakes, tires, or systems
Other drivers whose reckless or impaired actions caused or contributed to the crash
Government entities responsible for dangerous road design or maintenance

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What Are the Types of Compensation Available for CARTA Accidents?

A CARTA accident can upend your life in ways that go far beyond the initial crash. Medical treatment, time away from work, and long-term physical or emotional limitations can create financial pressure that builds fast. Because CARTA claims often involve government entities and layered insurance coverage, securing full compensation requires careful documentation, precise valuation of losses, and a strategy that accounts for both immediate and future impact. Depending on the facts of your case, compensation may include:

Medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, and rehabilitation
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity due to missed work or permanent limitations
Pain and suffering for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life
Property damage, including repair or replacement of your vehicle or personal property
Out-of-pocket expenses related to transportation, medical equipment, or home modifications
Wrongful death damages, including funeral expenses and lost financial support
Punitive damages, in limited cases involving reckless or grossly negligent conduct

Steps to Take Immediately After CARTA Accidents

What you do in the moments and days after a CARTA crash can affect your health, recovery, and the strength of your legal claim. Acting quickly helps protect both your well-being and your right to pursue compensation, especially when a government transit authority is involved.

Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor
Report the accident to law enforcement and CARTA personnel
Document the scene with photos of vehicles, injuries, and road conditions
Collect contact information from witnesses and involved parties
Preserve evidence, including clothing, medical records, and receipts
Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers or CARTA representatives
Consult a Charleston CARTA accident attorney as soon as possible

Why Hire a CARTA Accident Lawyer in Charleston

CARTA accident claims are not like ordinary car wrecks. You’re dealing with a government transit authority, strict notice deadlines, and defenses that limit or deny liability. A Charleston CARTA accident lawyer understands these rules and knows how to navigate them without costly mistakes. From preserving evidence to identifying every liable party, legal representation levels the playing field. When injuries are serious and the stakes are high, hiring a CARTA accidents lawyer in Charleston ensures your claim is positioned for the strongest possible recovery.

Client Testimonials

"Working with this law firm was an absolute breeze. They run their business efficiently, communicate clearly, and make every step quick and easy. The team is professional, reliable...

—Tyana Canty

Gus Law Firm did an outstanding job handling my case! Jotavia was amazing; she went above and beyond to make sure everything was taken care of and kept me informed every step of th...

—SaNya Grant Paul

Gus and his team kept me informed every step of the way. They truly take the time to understand your case and what you’re going through. Every team member was professional an...

—Rebecca Gates

Gus and his team were excellent. My family was affected by a horrible accident, and his firm stood beside me every step of the way. He and his team went above and beyond expectatio...

—Kathy

My experience was a good one. Everyone was kind and professional, and they handled my case in a timely manner. A great team, and I thank everyone! Highly recommended.

—DN

It was truly an honor for your law firm to represent me in this case. I will be forever grateful to your team for all the hard work they did for me. Thanks and happy holidays!...

—Shawn Davis

I’ve gotten such a good impression of Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm from Jotavia Myers. She’s kind, helpful, and genuine, and it’s easy to see she represents the firm ...

—Deanna Marie

Gus and the entire team were so efficient and professional! I appreciate every effort! They absolutely know what they are doing, and I’m so glad they were representing me! Hi...

—Pam Toledano

Jo has truly done an amazing job helping me with my case to the fullest extent and has made certain that I understand every aspect of my case. She was truly committed to ensuring t...

—Jason Williams

This was by far the best experience I had with a law firm! Jotavia was amazing! They handled everything for me, making it seamless. I was out of the country, and they helped me so ...

—Kia Major

I was recently injured in a serious car accident and didn’t know where to turn. After researching personal injury law firms near me, I found Gus's law firm, and I’m so ...

—Michael

The lawyers at Gus’s are AMAZING! They went above & beyond for us. My fiancé and I were in a car accident in February, which left us without that car. By the grace...

—Carly McGee

Gus Anastopoulo and his firm were EXTREMELY AMAZING. From start to finish, this law firm was very helpful, professional, and knowledgeable. They assist me step by step, making sure...

—Tamika Moore

I was very pleased with Gus representing me for something that happened suddenly. It was definitely a situation that had me stressed and not knowing what to do, but they were there...

—Tiffany Bredenkamp

I wish I could give this firm a 10-star review! They are extremely responsive, maintain great communication, and care about their clients! The attorneys here not only fight for you...

—Ricardo Prizzie

They took care of all my problems. JP was amazing, very transparent with all the cost upfront and fought hard for my case to go through and win.

— Jovanny Castano

I'm very pleased with Gus and his representation. He definitely dotted all the I's and crossed all T's in my case. He's very kind and Hannah is the sweetest assistant as well. I wo...

—Lora Edwards

Outstanding Car Accident Representation – Highly Recommend! I was recently injured in a serious car accident and didn’t know where to turn. After researching personal i...

—Michael

CARTA Accidents Frequently Asked Questions

How is a CARTA accident different from a regular car accident?

CARTA accidents are governed by the South Carolina Tort Claims Act, which applies when a government entity is involved. Unlike standard car accidents, these claims have stricter procedural rules, shorter deadlines, and statutory limits on damages. If you don’t follow the process exactly, your claim can be dismissed, even if liability is clear.

What is the deadline to file a CARTA accident claim in South Carolina?

In most cases, claims against CARTA must be filed within two years of the accident, not the three-year deadline that applies to most personal injury cases. Waiting too long or failing to follow the proper procedure can permanently deprive you of your right to compensation.

Are there limits on compensation in CARTA accident cases?

Yes. Under South Carolina law, damages against a government entity like CARTA are capped at $300,000 per person and $600,000 per occurrence, regardless of the severity of injuries. These caps do not apply to private third parties, which is why identifying all liable parties, including those not connected to the government, can significantly affect the total recovery.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?

Yes. South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can recover compensation as long as you are 50% or less at fault, though your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault. CARTA may try to shift blame onto you early, which is why it’s crucial to work with a skilled CARTA accident lawyer in Charleston.

CARTA Accidents Attorney in Charleston

Demand Every Dollar This Crash Took From You