Bus accidents can and do happen in Kennesaw. In fact, there are roughly 300 people a year killed in bus accidents nationwide—they can happen anywhere. Even when no one is harmed, the damage to property in a bus accident can be substantial. The large size of the bus often causes serious property damage and can result in severe injuries for anyone involved in a bus collision. Whether you were hit by a bus or you were on the bus during an accident, you need to speak with a Kennesaw bus accident lawyer to determine your legal rights. You may be able to get money for your injuries and property damage.
Our attorneys have over twenty years of experience dealing with cases just like yours. We have helped thousands of personal injury victims over the years. You are more than a case number to our lawyers—and we know that this case is likely the most important thing in your life right now. Get the treatment you deserve and the skill and experienced you’d expect from a bus accident lawyer in Kennesaw. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
Who is be at fault in a bus accident?
Bus accidents can involve a wide variety of individuals or businesses. The specific facts of your case will determine who you should include in your lawsuit. The parties in your situation might affect:
- The bus driver. The driver is usually the first person you think of when you consider a legal claim involving a bus—and rightly so. Driver fault is one of the top reasons that bus accidents occur. When a bus driver isn’t paying attention, speeds, or drives recklessly and causes an accident, they may be legally responsible for your injuries.
- The bus company. Most buses are owned by companies that manage and maintain the buses. They’re also responsible for hiring drivers as well. If their driver causes an accident or poor bus maintenance causes a crash, a bus company may be involved in the lawsuit. In fact, if the driver is an employee of a bus company, then the business should be included because they’re responsible for their employee’s actions under most circumstances.
- Bus equipment manufacturers. Sometimes bus accidents are the result of faulty equipment. When this happens, the company that created the part or piece of the bus (or the bus manufacturer itself) may need to be included in the lawsuit.
- Government entities. Buses are often run by the local government. In those situations, you may actually need to include the local agency that manages and maintains the buses. There are special rules that apply to government entities in a lawsuit, including a faster notice period. If your claim may involve a government entity, you need to speak with a bus accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident.
- Other negligent drivers. Not every accident is due to the fault of the bus driver. In some cases, other drivers actually caused the crash. If this is the case for your situation, then you may need to involve both the bus driver and the driver of the other car involved. That also likely means that another insurance company will be brought into the case as well.
In some situations, naming the right party can be tricky. Our lawyers will often include everyone that may be involved in the lawsuit as a starting point. Then, as the investigation progresses, parties can be dismissed. It is better to include everyone than not include someone that is really at fault for the accident.
Why do bus accidents happen?
Bus accidents are just like any other motor vehicle accident in most respects. That also means that a lot of the problems that affect smaller vehicles will also apply to buses. These include things like:
- Driver fatigue and inattention
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Bad weather or poor visibility
- Defective equipment
- Dangerous roadways
- Poor maintenance
Because buses are so large, they face maneuverability problems that don’t affect most passenger vehicles. Making sharp turns or turning around can be a real challenge for buses, especially if they’re in residential areas. Buses are also more prone to tipping compared to smaller cars, which makes them even more dangerous.
Although there are fewer bus accidents than smaller vehicle accidents, bus crashes can be more severe. They involve more people who often don’t have access to essential safety features like seat belts and airbags. Some bus accidents involve children, who may not know what to do in a crash.
Are there special laws that apply to buses?
Bus accidents can be frightening for many reasons, one of which is that you’re not in control of the vehicle. Instead, you’re trusting that the bus driver has the proper training and know-how to drive the bus effectively and get you where you need to go. Because of this trust, bus drivers are held to a higher standard of care from a legal perspective compared to other drivers. That means that they have very little room for error when they have several lives in their hands. It also indicates that if your bus driver was at fault, and that caused your injuries, getting money damages for your injuries is often easier.
Other laws that apply only to buses deal with:
- Where buses can drive
- How fast they can travel
- Driver training requirements and responsibilities
- Special conditions for school buses and their drivers
- How other vehicles treat buses (especially school buses)
Although buses are not as heavily regulated as semi-trucks or big rigs, there are still quite a few specific laws that apply only to buses. These laws are meant to increase the likelihood that passengers will travel safely on a bus in Georgia.
Talk to a Kennesaw Bus Accident Lawyer for Free
Were you recently involved in a bus accident? Are you unsure of what to do next? Does the insurance company keep calling you? You need help. Our lawyers can field phone calls with the insurance company and gather evidence for your case while you focus on recovering. Let us connect you to some of the top bus accident attorneys in the state. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.