Although bus accidents are not incredibly common in Cartersville, when they do happen, they can be serious. Bus drivers are supposed to receive extra training to do their job, but they are still humans that can make mistakes. If you were hurt in a bus accident, you have legal rights—and a Cartersville bus accident lawyer can help you seek recovery for your costs.
Dealing with the aftermath of a bus accident can be painful and overwhelming, not to mention costly. Our lawyers are dedicated to getting our clients the fullest recovery possible after an accident they did not cause. Let us give you a FREE consultation to talk about your accident and how we can help. Call or contact us online to get started for FREE today.
How Liability Works in a Cartersville Bus Accident
When a car accident happens, the involved parties are usually just two or more drivers. The at-fault driver’s insurance company is responsible for the damages. But a bus accident is more complex.
There are several parties who may be to blame in a bus accident, which can make the insurance claim process more confusing and complicated.
When the Bus Driver is at Fault
Most commonly, the bus driver is responsible for a bus accident. However, the drive him or herself is not usually liable for the costs. The government body that owns the bus and/or employs the bus driver, such as a school district, might be ultimately responsible.
Employers have a duty to properly vet, train, and supervise employees, especially when those employees operate buses that transport many people every day. If a bus driver causes an accident, it might be because of negligence on the employer’s part too.
When Another Driver is at Fault
A third-party driver in the accident could also be at fault. If so, you can file a personal injury claim with their auto insurance company for your damages. This is typically the most straightforward scenario, but it’s still more complicated than other accidents because more than one party may be partially at fault.
In Cartersville and the rest of the state of Georgia, you can still seek compensation if you are less than 50% at fault for an injury accident (Georgia Code section 51-12-33). This means you may still be able to recover damage if multiple parties were at fault, but your total damages may be reduced or you might have to file multiple claims or lawsuits.
When Another Company is at Fault
Other times, a bus accident may happen because a maintenance company or manufacturing company was at fault. If the bus itself had issues that were not the fault of the driver or their employer, another company might be to blame for the crash that occurred.
Five Things to Do After a Bus Accident in Cartersville
The moments and days after your bus accident are very important. You will want to gather information for your case. Here are some of the best ways to do to that.
1. Get Medical Attention
If you have serious or life-threatening injuries from the bus accident, be sure to call 911 (or have someone else do it for you) to get emergency medical attention right away. Injuries can worsen quickly, and your well-being is the number one priority after an accident.
If you are well enough to stay at the scene, be sure to see a doctor as soon as possible afterward. You will need to:
- Create a record of your medical treatment and your injuries
- Identify any injuries that you might not be aware of yet
- Get an idea of what your treatment will look like and
- Help protect yourself and your case
If you wait too long to get checked out, the insurance company might use this to say that you were not hurt as badly as you say. So, see a doctor as soon as possible.
2. Call the Police
Any auto accident in Georgia with physical injuries and/or more than $500 in property damage should be reported to the police. This includes almost all accidents.
If the bus driver or another driver in the accident doesn’t call the police to report the accident, you might need to do it. Officers will come to the scene and create an accident report. This is important evidence of the accident.
If you were definitely injured, be sure to tell the police that you had injuries. If you feel uninjured, just say that you “aren’t sure” if the police ask if you have any injuries. You’ll want to wait until a doctor checks you out before claiming that you were not hurt.
3. Take Photos
Use your phone or a camera to take pictures of the entire accident scene, your injuries, all vehicle damage, and anything else that helps set the scene. If the bus driver or anyone else involved int he accident is acting strange or intoxicated, you might take a video of them (if you can do it safely) to act as evidence too.
4. Talk to Any Eyewitnesses
After auto accidents, there are usually people who stop to help. Ask them if they saw the accident happen.
You’ll want to get the names and contact information for any eyewitnesses to your bus accident. Your Cartersville bus accident lawyer can use this contact information to get witness statements for your case.
5. Talk to a Bus Accident Lawyer
An experienced bus accident lawyer can help you with all of the above and more. Contact them as soon as possible to set up a consultation and discuss your case. This is the best way to protect your legal rights after an auto accident.
Get a Free Consultation with a Cartersville Bus Accident Lawyer Today
Don’t wait to get started on your bus accident claim. At John Foy & Associates, we can handle all of the legal details for you, so you can focus on healing and being with loved ones. We do not charge a fee unless we win you money, so working with us is risk-free.
Contact us or reach out online to get started with a FREE, no-obligation consultation today.
