Every year, there are more than 60,000 bus accidents. Although there are far fewer bus accidents than car accidents, they are often more severe because of the size and weight of the bus. The lack of safety equipment, including airbags and seat belts, also plays a role in the severity of injuries in this type of accident—and those outside the bus can be harmed as well. If you or a loved one has been involved in a bus accident, you likely have legal options. You need to talk to a bus accident lawyer in Cumming to learn more.
Our attorneys only represent victims, never insurance companies. We understand how frustrating and confusing it can be dealing with an insurance company after an accident. Bus accidents are especially challenging because of the unique laws and regulations that apply to buses and bus drivers. Our lawyers have the experience and know-how you need to increase your chances of getting money damages. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
Who do bus accidents affect most often?
Virtually anyone can be at risk in a bus accident, including people both on and off the bus. In fact, non-occupants are more likely to be injured in a bus accident than the people actually on the bus. Those people at risk include:
- Children, especially in school bus accidents
- City or MARTA bus passengers
- Customers of long-distance carriers or charter buses
- Drivers & passenger in other cars
- Pedestrians
- Bicyclists
- Motorcyclists
Most buses don’t have even essential safety equipment, like seat belts. The jarring motion of a crash can be especially harmful in even minor accidents because there is nothing to hold someone in their seat. Children are even more at risk because they are often small enough to be jammed between or under seats during an accident.
Buses are especially prone to rollover accidents because of their unique size and shape. This is not only dangerous for those inside the bus, but also for anyone who may be nearby, including bicyclists and pedestrians. Ejection from the bus is also possible, particularly when children are involved. Children fit out of the smaller bus windows better than adults.
Buses are harder to maneuver and stop because of their large size and weight. That means that those around the bus, including pedestrians and others in nearby vehicles, are at risk. This is especially risky when buses are in residential neighborhoods or school areas. If someone appears in front of them quickly, they may not be able to react fast enough to avoid a collision. As a result, buses are involved in a disproportionate number of accidents with pedestrians and bicyclists.
How does legal liability work for buses in Cumming?
Buses are known as “common carriers” in Georgia. That means that people rely on them to get them from one place to another. They essentially put their lives in a bus driver’s hands. They trust that the bus driver will operate the vehicle safely and the busing company has done the required or necessary maintenance to ensure that the bus is working correctly long before they get on the bus.
Because of this trust, bus drivers and bus companies are held to a higher standard compared to the average passenger vehicle driver. They have an increased “duty of care” to their passengers. They must use extreme caution when operating buses. That is often why you see buses moving much more slowly than other vehicles on the road—they want to ensure that they are fulfilling their duties to their passengers by being extremely careful.
Anyone that owns a bus or employs a bus driver also has a higher duty of care. They should hire and train only those people who will carry out their duties effectively and operate the bus safely. And they must maintain the buses so that they are safe for everyone that gets on them. When the bus owner fails to fulfill these duties, it can be liable for an accident as well. This general rule still applies when the bus owner has someone else doing a part of their responsibilities, such as performing maintenance on the bus. The bus owner is ultimately responsible for the bus maintenance, even when an outside company does the upkeep, because common carriers cannot delegate their duties entirely to other people or businesses.
Why would I need a bus accident attorney?
After a bus accident, the bus owner’s insurance company will likely be eager to give you a settlement. But, accepting the first settlement offer is almost never a good idea. You can’t know the extent of your injuries right away—it can take days or even weeks for some injuries to fully develop. You also may not fully appreciate how your injuries will affect you for the rest of your life. You should talk to a bus accident attorney to get a feel for what your case is really worth long before you make contact with an insurance company.
The insurance company will try to downplay your injuries, lost wages, and medical expenses. They may argue that the bus accident was only partially responsible or that your injuries were due to some pre-existing condition or another incident. In any of these situations, the insurance company is trying to rationalize why they are giving you less money than you should receive after a crash. Unfortunately, they’re trying to take advantage of your inexperience with these types of incidents.
A bus accident attorney will be able to take a look at the facts of your situation to value your case. And they can get you to a doctor who can provide an opinion on the cause of your injuries, how long it will take to heal, and how those injuries may affect you for the rest of your life. You are likely to get a much higher settlement offer if you use an experienced Cumming bus accident lawyer.
Talk to a Cumming Bus Accident Lawyer for Free
Our lawyers have worked with personal injury victims just like you for over 20 years. If you want a compassionate, knowledgeable representation, you should contact us for more information. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
