People of all ages in Lawrenceville ride buses to school, work, and more. And while we trust most bus drivers to be responsible and careful, these big vehicles can lead to accidents if something goes wrong. If you were involved in any kind of bus accident and it wasn’t your fault, it’s time to speak with a Lawrenceville bus accident lawyer.
Our attorneys know how to help you. With over 20 years of experience working on Lawrenceville personal injury victims, like bus accidents, we know what’s required to win at a trial or get a fair settlement in these situations. No matter how you were involved in the bus accident, we’re on your side. Let us give you a FREE consultation to talk about your case. Call us today at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to your right to get started for free.
What should I do if I was in a bus accident in Lawrenceville?
If you’ve been involved in a bus accident, for whatever reason, there are several things you’ll want to do:
- Call the police. The bus driver or staff hold responsibility for calling for help, but if they were disabled in the accident or refuse to call 911, you’ll want to do it yourself. The accident will need to be reported to police so they can create a report documenting the accident and its details.
- Get medical attention right away. Any lawsuit arising out of a bus accident must be filed within a certain amount of time, known as the “statute of limitations,” or any legal claims or right to sue will be lost. In Georgia, when a government entity like a school is involved, that time period can be as short as six months. (This is why it’s so crucial to consult with a Lawrenceville bus accident lawyer as soon as you can, rather than taking a “wait and see” approach. Some injuries may seem okay right after they happen, but they could have long-term consequences or residual symptoms that last much longer.)
- Document everything you can. If you’re well enough to do so, note what you see at the accident scene. Get names, phone numbers, physical and email addresses, and other forms of information from the bus driver, other passengers, witnesses to the accident, and any other people involved. That includes the officer who arrives on the scene. Your lawyer may need to reach out to any of these people when investigating your bus accident claim.
- Get legal help. Bus accidents can be especially complex, and the consequences are often more extreme than a typical car accident. Buses don’t have the same amount of safety equipment—like seat belts and airbags—found in regular motor vehicles. Injuries can potentially be more serious and involve more steps to recovering money for your suffering. Talk to an experienced Lawrenceville bus accident lawyer for the help you need today.
What are the most common types of bus accidents?
There are a number of accidents that can occur with buses. They may include:
- City buses
- School buses
- Hired/charter buses
- Long-distance buses
- Large vehicles like vans or shuttles for hotels, airports, or establishments that count as buses
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, school bus accidents account for the most bus fatalities per year than other types of buses.
Bus accidents can happen with cars, motorcycles, other buses, pedestrians, illegal passing, or bus malfunctions.
What kind of injuries are most common in bus accidents?
Any bus accidents can result in injuries and/or damage to the vehicles involved. Victims in a bus accident could be passengers, bicyclists or pedestrians, someone slipping and falling while getting on/off the bus, or people in another vehicle that is in an accident with the bus.
Just like with car accidents, the types of injuries can vary. Bus accidents can cause:
- Sprains
- Bruising and bleeding
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Even death
Since buses have a different construction than other smaller vehicles, bus accidents can also cause unique injuries. For example, most don’t have safety restraints or seat belts due to their high center of gravity that makes them more prone to rollovers. Passengers are also more likely to hold onto their items, which can increase the risk of projectiles if the bus stops abruptly.
The chances of bus accidents are typically lower than with other vehicles, but the injuries that can result from them can potentially be much worse.
Who is at fault in a bus accident?
It depends. Bus accidents are different legally from regular auto accidents. With car accidents, for example, the insurance company of the driver will usually take care of claims.
In bus accidents, the process is not as straightforward because the bus passengers probably don’t have insurance coverage for this type of accident. Plus, a third party may be involved in the accident (such as another car) AND the bus company might hold certain liability immunities to protect them.
If a third party driver is at fault for the bus accident, you can usually make a third-party claim with the insurance company of that driver. You can seek compensation for medical expenses for injuries, damages, and loss of income. However, if the bus driver is at fault for the accident, the situation can get much more complicated. Many times, government entities like school districts or local transportation authorities are operating the buses.
There’s much more involved when filing a claim with a government entities versus a typical insurance claim in a car accident because many government entities self-insure. So if the government denies your claim, you’re left trying to file a personal injury claim against the government entity, which can get very complex and confusing. In some cities, there are complicated rules for how to appeal insurance denials—or the window of time to make a claim is very small. And if those rules aren’t followed, it can potential threaten your chances at a later lawsuit.
This is why working with a bus accident lawyer is so crucial to making sure the process goes smoothly and you avoid a worse outcome.
Talk to a Lawrenceville Bus Accident Lawyer for Free
Don’t get left without compensation after a bus accident. Having an attorney on your side makes a big difference—and takes a complex legal process off your plate. Our lawyers will give you a FREE consultation, and we never charge anything for our services if we do not get you money. Let us help. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your FREE consultation today.
