Bus accidents don’t occur often, but when they do, they can affect far more people than the average car accident. Brookhaven residents put a lot of trust in bus drivers, so when they are careless or reckless, legal liability can result. In fact, bus accident cases can occur whether you are on the bus or getting off the bus, or if you are a pedestrian, bicyclist, or in another vehicle. Regardless of how your bus accident occurred, if you have suffered injuries, you need a Brookhaven bus accident attorney.
Our lawyers never charge you anything unless we win money for you. We understand that life after a bus accident can be stressful, painful, and fraught with financial worry—our job is to help. Let us give you a FREE consultation and help you get the money you deserve. Call us at 1-404-341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
How do bus accidents happen?
Buses are usually considered safer than passenger cars. They deliberately drive slower and have extra safety precautions because of the many lives on board. They’re also much larger vehicles, which protects passengers as well. But, just because they are generally safer doesn’t mean that they are immune from accidents. Some of the most common causes of bus accidents include:
- Driver error, such as distracted driving or incorrect operation
- Inadequate driver training
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- The driver of another vehicle hitting the bus
- The bus driver making sudden stops or maneuvers to avoid an accident
- Failure to obey traffic laws (like failing to yield or speeding)
- Poor maintenance or manufacturing defects
- Drivers that hit passengers as they are getting on or leaving the bus
You can still be injured even when a collision has not occurred. For example, if the bus driver was distracted by their cell phone but looks up just in time to slam on the breaks and avoid an accident, you can still be injured. In that type of situation, the bus driver’s error caused your injury because they weren’t paying attention—even if the bus driver was actually able to avoid the crash.
Who do I sue in a bus accident case?
The parties involved in a bus accident case will depend on the facts of your accident. If another driver was at fault, then that third party would be involved. If your injuries were caused by the bus driver’s error, then the driver and the busing company will usually be included in the lawsuit. Sometimes all of the drivers will be involved.
Many buses in Georgia are run by the government, either through the state or local communities. In those situations, you may need to involve the government in your lawsuit as well. These cases have special rules regarding notice and other procedural requirements, so it’s especially important to use a lawyer in those cases.
School bus accidents may involve your child’s school as well. School districts are considered government entities. Both the state and your child’s school district will have insurance to cover bus accidents.
What should I do if my child was hurt on a school bus?
School bus accidents can be complicated for several reasons:
- They involve children who may not always be able to communicate what happened to you
- School buses generally don’t have the same type of safety restraints that passenger cars have
- They include a school district
- They may involve complex injuries that affect your child over a long period of time
Regardless, of how your child was injured on the school bus, you often have legal options. School bus drivers are specially trained to not only drive the bus but also provide supervision for your children. In some cases, there are additional adults on the bus to help supervise as well.
The type of incident that involves your child will have a significant impact on what your legal claim may look like. For example, if your child was hurt because of a collision between a bus and a car, that case will not proceed in the same way as if your child was injured by another student on the bus. Both situations may result in legal liability, but they might be different legal causes of action. Your attorney will be able to walk you through your next steps regardless of how the injury occurred.
If your child was hurt, you should take the following steps as soon as you learn about the incident.
- Check on your child immediately and get them any medical attention that they need. Even if they don’t seem seriously injured, it’s a good idea to talk to a medical professional to give them a physical examination. Children are not always able to communicate that they are hurting.
- Talk to others who may have been involved in the incident. Gathering information about a bus accident is sometimes easier than the average car accident because there are often several witnesses
- Take photos or video. Get pictures of the damage to the bus, injuries to your child, and anything else that you think might be helpful to prove your case later.
- Ask your child for their account of what happened. Talk to your child about what happened and record their response. Your child’s story may change over time. They are less likely to exaggerate details or alter the timeline if you talk to them about what happened right away. As children hear other people’s versions of the events, their account may change—which makes recording their response right away important.
- Get a copy of the police report. If the police were called to the scene (and they should have been in a collision), get a copy of the police report. This report will tell you the details of the incident and give you vital contact information for all of the drivers involved.
- Call a bus accident attorney. Getting an attorney involved early can help you with the investigation process. It also often increases your chances of getting money damages for your child’s injuries.
Talk to a Brookhaven Bus Accident Lawyer for Free
Having an experienced attorney on your side will significantly increase your chances of winning money after a bus accident. Let us connect you with some of the most well-known and experienced lawyers in the state—and give you a FREE consultation. Call us at 1-404-341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
