Riding a bus is typically safer than driving a car or truck on Douglasville roads, but accidents can still happen. When one does, it can be a stressful experience for everyone involved. Whether you were a bus passenger or another driver in the collision, you may be entitled to full compensation of your costs. To know your options for sure, contact a Douglasville bus accident lawyer.
Our lawyers have over 20 years of experience helping bus accident victims win the recovery they deserve after an accident. Our goal is to put you back into the same place financially, physically, and emotionally as you were before the bus accident. And we don’t take a fee unless we win your case. To get started with a FREE consultation today, call us at (404) 948-4815 today.
How Bus Accidents Happen in Douglasville
Buses are huge, hefty vehicles. When a bus is not handled or maintained as it should be, it can lead to serious and painful accidents. When it comes to financial compensation for bus accident victims, fault matters most. Under the legal definition of personal injury, someone is injured because a person or party has been negligent or acted in a careless way. That negligent person or party is “at fault” for injuries and other damages resulting from the accident.
Below are some of the most common ways someone can be at fault in a Douglasville bus accident.
Bus Driver Error
Many times, a bus accident will result from the bus driver’s negligence on the job. Bus drivers are held to much higher safety standards than other drivers because they have the public’s safety in their hands. They must complete thorough training and testing (including school bus safety measures, if they transport children) before being hired on the job. However, even with special training, a bus driver can make errors.
If a bus driver makes a careless decision, such as looking at their phone, driving while tired or fatigued, or driving in an aggressive manner, they can cause an accident. A driver also does not have to intend to cause an accident to be found at fault. Negligence can happen simply from not following the rules of the road, even if the driver had no mal intent.
Bus Company Negligence
The company that owns the bus can be found negligent in some accidents. Many bus companies manage a large amount of buses, which means they must keep up with regular maintenance and repairs. If someone at the company fails to keep up with the maintenance of a vehicle, it can lead to an accident.
Bus Blind Spots
Every vehicle has a blind spot, which is an area where the driver’s view is obstructed. A driver should be aware of this blind spot and know how to remedy the deficit, but it can still sometimes cause a bus accident.
If another vehicle drives into a bus’s blind spot and the bus driver is not aware, they can collide with the other vehicle. This can also happen with motorcyclists or bicyclists on the road. The bus driver or the other motorist/driver could be at fault in this situation; it depends on the details of the bus accident.
Left Turns
Left turn collisions are common with large vehicles, which is why they often lead to Douglasville truck accidents and bus accidents. When a bus driver is making a left turn on the road, they have large temporary blind spots. If another driver tries to pass a bus on the left or gets too close when the bus is turning left, it can lead to a serious accident.
Bus drivers have been trained to get rid of these blind spots by simply leaning backward or forward. However, if they don’t or cannot do that, it can cause an accident.
Another Driver on the Road
Bus drivers are not always to blame for bus accidents in Douglasville. Sometimes, another driver is negligent in the crash. Besides the regular rules of the road, motorists must know when to stop for a school bus to avoid hitting the bus or passengers getting on/off.
Plus, drivers have a duty to keep up with current laws on school bus road safety. For example, Georgia lawmakers passed Senate Bill 25 in February 2019, which requires all drivers from both directions on a road to stop when a school bus is stopped. If another driver fails to follow current bus safety traffic laws and an accident happens, they can be found at fault.
Bus Fires
Bus accidents can sometimes be caused by fires. The most common areas for bus fires to be located include the engine compartment and the tires. This usually happens when these areas are not maintained as they should be.
If you or a family member were hurt in a bus accident, no matter how it happened, it’s best to contact a Douglasville bus accident lawyer as soon as you can. They can begin investigating the situation to determine what caused the accident and who was at fault.
What to Do if the Insurance Company Offers You Money
When you file a personal injury claim after being hurt in a bus accident, the insurance company will likely reach out to you soon. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses looking to pay out as little money as possible with each claim. For that reason, you should be very wary of communicating with them.
One common tactic an insurance company will use is offering you a lump sum of money upfront right after your accident. They may send you something in the mail or contact you by phone. However they contact you, it’s very important that you do not accept the first offer.
Insurance companies know that injury victims are stressed about how to pay for treatment and other costs resulting from their accident. They know that a quick offer will be enticing, and they are hoping you’ll take it. But if you do, you will miss your chance at seeking a higher settlement—and the first offer is almost never enough to cover the full extent of your damages.
Get Help Communicating with the Insurance Company
Instead of trying to handle the insurance company yourself, call a Douglasville bus accident lawyer immediately. They can help you:
- Calculate what your damages are actually worth
- Build a strong insurance claim
- And communicate with the insurance company on your behalf
Be wary of any contact with the insurance company until you have a good attorney on your side.
Talk to a Douglasville Bus Accident Lawyer for Free
Bus accidents can be scary, painful, and stressful for all involved. Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of your compromised state. Get a legal professional on your team who can help you navigate the insurance claim process. That’s what our bus accident lawyers can do for you. We can help you build the strongest claim possible and fight for your right to full compensation. To schedule a FREE consultation today, contact us online or call us at (404) 948-4815.
