Being involved in a bus accident can be a frightening experience. Whether you were a passenger on the bus, a driver in another car, or a pedestrian, no one should have to go through this alone. Our Johns Creek bus accident lawyers are here to help.
Our law group has over 20 years of experience fighting for financial compensation for victims. Each of our attorneys are experienced and compassionate, doing everything possible to get you results. Fill out the form to the right or call us at (404) 341-6555 for a FREE consultation today.
I’m a passenger involved in a bus accident. What are my rights?
As a passenger on a bus, you trust the bus driver to get you safely to your destination. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case, as thousands of bus accident victims can attest. Bus accidents can be more complicated than car accidents because there are more victims and more parties that could be liable. Regardless, you have rights—and as a passenger, you are likely entitled to compensation for your injuries.
This may include:
- The full cost of any medical bills
- Compensation for lost wages if the accident prevented you from working
- Money for pain, suffering or serious losses you experienced
A good lawyer will investigate every detail of the accident and build the best case possible to get the financial compensation you deserve.
How do bus accidents happen?
Although public transportation like buses are convenient, we can’t forget that buses are big, heavy vehicles that—if not driven or working properly—can cause serious accidents. Just like car accidents, no two bus accidents are alike. But the cause of your bus accident may determine who is liable for your injuries.
Some of the most common causes of bus accidents include:
- Bus company negligence: Most bus companies have a large fleet of buses. Keeping up with proper maintenance on all buses can be difficult and expensive. Unfortunately, that means some bus companies do skimp on repairs in order to save money—or their contractors do. Foregoing new tires or new brake pads can mean the difference between life and death.
- Bus driver negligence: There are many laws in place designed to regulate bus drivers and have them operate buses safely and correctly. For instance, bus drivers are limited in how many hours they can be on the road, to prevent fatigue and ensure safe driving. If a bus company scheduled drivers for too many hours, and fatigue played a role in the accident, there’s a strong chance the bus company will be liable for what happened. Likewise, any kind of carelessness like texting while driving, not obeying the rules of the road, or driving under the influence are all examples of driver negligence.
- Bad weather: Occasionally, bus accidents can be cause by inclement weather or poor road conditions. However, bus drivers should be properly trained on how to drive in inclement weather, and should maintain extra distance from other vehicles.
- Blind spots: Blind spots are areas where the bus driver cannot easily see what is next to or behind them. Buses have large mirrors to try to minimize blind spots, but they’re still big vehicles with a lot to look out for. If an accident happened because another vehicle was in the blind spot, either or both drivers (the bus driver and the other vehicle) may be at fault depending on what happened.
- Left turns: Left turn accidents are some of the most common types of bus accidents. When a bus driver makes a left hand turn, their vision is temporarily obstructed, increasing their blind spots. However, bus drivers are trained to lean forward or backwards, as needed, to eliminate the blind spot. If they don’t, it may raise questions about the quality of training on behalf of the bus company.
These are some of the most common types of bus accidents—but they’re not a complete list. No matter how your bus accident happened, it’s important to hire a good lawyer who will review every detail of your case, help prove what was the cause and who is at fault, and gather important evidence. This is the best way to get you the financial recovery you deserve.
The bus company’s insurance is offering me money. Should I take it?
An insurance company’s first priority is their finances. So, it is in their interest to offer you as little money as possible. And they want you to accept the money as quickly as possible and sign away your right to any future claim. None of this is in your own best interest. The insurance representative may come across as caring and polite, but don’t be fooled. It’s important to look after your own interests first.
Beware of these tactics used by insurers:
- Asking how you’re feeling so you say “fine” and they can minimize your injury.
- Asking misleading questions so they can get you to sound at fault, even if you aren’t.
- Using time pressure to get you to take a low offer—“This offer might not be on the table anymore next week.”
- Pressuring you to accept a final offer before you know if the treatment you’ve received has fully worked.
Never accept anything without a legal opinion. A good lawyer will help you decide if an insurance company’s offer is too low. And, if needed, they will build your case from the ground up to get you the maximum financial recovery possible.
Talk to a Johns Creek Bus Accident Lawyer for Free
You deserve to get treatment and get your costs covered. We can help you. Our attorneys have the experience you need to get you the compensation you deserve—and we charge NOTHING if we don’t recover money for you. Let us give you a free consultation. Fill out the form to the right or call us at (404) 341-6555 today to get your free consultation today.
